Stories of celebrities getting their body back within weeks, some even days, of giving birth, the women who – days after a c-section – return to high-powered roles. It’s enough to make most women still coping with sleepless nights and flabby tummies, feel a bit inadequate.
Thankfully there are some women out there who are determined to make us new mums feel good about ourselves, flabby or not Pushy Mothers, which specialises in a fun pram-based fitness regime, has launched a campaign which it calls ‘Push Don’t Rush’.
Judy DiFiore, director of Pushy Mothers says:”It takes nine months to make a baby and for most women, doing the right exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet, it’ll take at least the same to get back on track. If mums do “rush” back or do the wrong type of exercise there is a risk of injury to their joints, abs and pelvic floor.
“At Pushy Mothers we want to change attitudes towards new mums, to stop piling on the pressure, to celebrate motherhood, and to empower women to respect their post-baby bodies.” (www.pushymothers.com)
Talking of post-baby bodies, here’s how to make yours feel extra special again – before you even think about dieting!
Love your skin
Some women find that their skin pigmentation can become patchy during and after pregnancy. Six months after having her daughter, Katherine Burt has still got signs of the freckles she developed during the pregnancy.
This chloasma or ‘mask of pregnancy’ can make some pregnancy women look as if they’ve been out in the sun, which can be a good thing. “Now though it bothers me,” says Katherine.
There is thankfully things she can do. US based but UK-owned skincare company Dermalogica has a range of products called Chroma White for skins that have pigmentation issues.
A spokeswoman for Dermalogica advises all women considering using their products to book a consultation with a beautician who uses the products. “That way you are shown how to use our products and which ones are most suitable for you.” you can search recommended stockists at www.dermalogica.com/uk/
Dryness
Joanne Barrett, a facialist says many new mums find their skin can get deyhdrated. She thinks it’s because they often forget to drink enough water. “Lots of mums can find their skins get quite dry. I would say try and avoid having too much tea or coffee, if you are not breastfeeding it can be tempting to use the caffeine to boost your alertness, but try and stick to de caff versions if you miss the taste. ”
Try and boost your water levels by having a glass of water every time you give the baby milk, that way you can get your eight glasses (as recommended by health professionals) without too much effort. In an ideal world you’d be having lots of fruit and veg – but with a new baby that often isn’t possible. So if guests ask you what they should bring insist on fruit and not flowers.
Aveda do a lovely ‘Comforting tea’ which tastes good with or without milk and has a tummy and head calming ingredients such as licorice root and peppermint.
Make up without the slap
Save time by investing in a good tinted moisturiser, you get a healthy glow with coverage without having to spend precious moments putting on make up. Laura Mercier, Boots No7 and my own favourite Marks & Spencer Autograph all do good tinted moisturisers. Some ranges of expensive make up, such as Bobbi Brown have kits which include neutral eyeshadows and lipsticks – something worth suggesting as a present for when you are ready to put on the slap again.
Go lower!
Don’t neglect your body. Joanne Barrett says that post-baby a great time saver and beauty tip is to take your face care regime a bit lower : “My advice is to spend a little bit more time when doing your face, take your beauty regime down to your bust line, use the same face wash, cream, and treatments and just take them further down it means you get a little bit more care where you need it.”
Other time-saving and money saving tips:
Waxing: If you don’t shave and prefer waxing but can’t get to the salon (who can?) then sse DIY wax strips, Veet do by far the best versions. My tip is to put them on the radiator to warm up – they work amazingly if you do this.
Vitamins: Take a good multi-vitamin supplement every other day, ones with the B vitamins are good, I found that my skin and nerves improved taking these. Until you’ve settled into a routine with new baby; of course vitamin pills are no substitute for a proper diet but they can help top up your levels while your eating is erratic.
Stretching: Shiva Rea’s post natal DVD was a fantastic boost for me, I started using it after my GP check up and fitted in 20 mintues after I’d put my daughter to bed. Some nights I had to force myself to do it, but I am so glad I did, it felt like I’d had a bit of ‘me’ time.
