https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 18 May 2026 11:22:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066759 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:56:02 +0000 blackbird 1066759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So i just looked at photos of myself PP and I still had a rounded belly sticking out at 11 weeks post partum. And i probably had about 20 lbs to lose at that point, too. Now i'm 5 months PP and have been eating paleo (minus a two week lapse recently) and my stomach is definitely a lot flatter now but still not totally there, even though i only have 5 lbs to go. </p> <p>it takes time! I thought exercise and eating clean would be the magic trick for me (and i'm sure it is in some form) but time is definitely the biggest factor. </p> <p>Do what you can to strengthen your abs--planks, etc. That will at least help them knit together better </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066672 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:22:27 +0000 hilsy85 1066672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: this is definitely true!</p> <p>Most of the weight loss with bfing happens between 3 and 6 months--I noticed a huge difference at that time. but also, just be kind to your self--for a LOT Of people, it's 9 month to put it on, 9 months to take it off. Cut yourself some slack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066666 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:20:12 +0000 Revel 1066666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To offer a little hope, my weight loss had really stalled and I felt exactly the same way a few weeks ago. Just in the last two weeks (since I passed the 12 week mark, LO is just about 14 weeks), I feel like things are moving again, finally. I still have about 15-20 lbs to go, but the belly is shrinking a little. I've heard from other BF mamas that they lost the most weight between 3-6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066661 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:18:47 +0000 Trailmix 1066661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: you might have a diastasis, which is when the abdominal muscles separate and it makes your stomach stick out and you look pregnant. I have it and keep getting asked when I'm due (argh!). I bought a splint and have been doing exercises specifically for diastasis (working transverse abs) and I think it's helping some. Google it to see ways to check if you have it- I have a big ridge down the middle of my stomach when I flex or use my abs.<br /> Also, like others have said, 11 weeks still isn't very long. I def see a difference between where I was then and where I am now at almost 14 weeks pp. it is frustrating bc like you, I thought I would bounce back quicker and see other women who gave birth after me looking so good but be easy on yourself. I say it took almost 10 months of being pregnant, so you should give yourself at least 10 months to get back to where you were before! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066658 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:18:40 +0000 Foodnerd81 1066658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: "what up bitches"- lol</p> <p>@StbHisMrs: I would have killed him!! </p> <p>When I prop the baby up sitting on my belly I tell her thanks for making it such a nice squishy seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066638 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:09:58 +0000 MsLipGloss 1066638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StbHisMrs: :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1066281 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 21:58:30 +0000 StbHisMrs 1066281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: People have no filters, so rude! It's really hard to get into the shape you were in prior, and 11 weeks is not that long ago.</p> <p>I've lost almost all of my pregnancy weight, but I'm still so flabby. My husband came up to me yesterday and grabbed my sides and said look at those cute love handles you have. I could've died, and killed him at the same time. </p> <p> @MsLipGloss: You seriously leave the best comments ever :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065957 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:48:56 +0000 LazyLightning 1065957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And yeah...there's a mother at daycare with a baby younger then mine and she looks like a damn super model -- wearing tight little clothes and such. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065952 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:47:43 +0000 LazyLightning 1065952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having the same problem. I can sort if suck in the belly but still have 20 lbs to lose and it hasn't budged in weeks in spite of exercising and a restrictive diet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065872 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:19:25 +0000 Bookish 1065872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same here. :( I had to go up a pants size and wear spanx in order to just look bloated. I still have 20 to go as well, and breastfeeding doesn't seem to be helping. It sucks. I'm sorry you are dealing with it too. I told DH that I'm strongly considering a tummy tuck if we can ever afford it. I never thought I'd want plastic surgery, but it's just such a wreck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065866 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:17:11 +0000 rachiecakes 1065866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: do you have some abdominal separation? I've heard that if you have tight abs pre-pregnancy you're more prone to it and it takes longer to tighten up. You can actually do more harm than good working them out early on. I had about a 2" gap for the longest time but I did eventually get back to normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065803 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:47:11 +0000 Ra 1065803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm happy to hear there is still hope. There is a teacher at school whose son is 2 weeks older than B and she looks amazing. Another friend is 4 months PP and rocking a bikini. I'm still in my maternity pants!</p> <p>I guess I'm just having a pity party. I busted ass my entire pregnancy and went to the gym right until I went into labor. I assumed that, combined with nursing, would help me bounce back quickly.</p> <p>I'm gonna check out weight watchers and some of the PP workout videos.</p> <p>Thanks for the encouragement! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065799 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:44:09 +0000 MsLipGloss 1065799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh hon, you will never give yourself enough credit or cut yourself enough slack. You *just* had a baby! Try to be patient and give yourself time to take good care of yourself . . . Please don't beat yourself up over something that you have very little control! </p> <p>My belly bounced back fairly quickly, but my thighs? Oh my. There used to be this beautiful gap between them and inner thigh rub was never a concern. . . welp, now they are all up on each other like *what up bitches* and I am trying to get a little distance between these new BFFs! :P Meh. I am still working on it . . . I haven't given up hope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065784 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:36:25 +0000 dojo 1065784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 6 months old and I am just beginning to feel a little better about my new body. I didn't really lose much of anything until about 4.5-5 months pp and now I'm only about 5 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. I remember around 12 weeks thinking "WTF why am I still so huge!?!?" I know it sucks but hang in there!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065742 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:17:28 +0000 chopsuey 1065742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're only 11 weeks pp!<br /> I started cutting carbs and going (mostly) paleo. I've noticed that my belly's gotten a lot smaller since I changed my diet.<br /> I'm not working out, but I've been able to lose weight by just eating clean and nursing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065740 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:17:08 +0000 immabeetoo 1065740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: it took a long long time before my uterus shrank - all the weight was gone but my stomach was still round and firm. Turns out I had diastasis - separation of ab muscles and a stubborn uterus. Give yourself time! I did nothing but wait and breast feed and it settled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065732 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:14:46 +0000 yoursilverlining 1065732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, unfortunately it took a good 6 months (or more) for my stomach to not look pregnant. There's no way to sugar-coat it: it blows.</p> <p>Have you started doing any ab work? There are DVDs targeted for post-partum, and specifically for abs. Cardio helps, too.</p> <p>I feel your pain completely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065712 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 18:05:23 +0000 Boheme 1065712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs, friend. I feel (and look) the same way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065670 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:39:43 +0000 HLK208 1065670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It takes time!! By 6 months, you will look completely different! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065667 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:38:08 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1065667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wasn't till 6 months post partum that I didn't have a pregnant belly anymore, and I know a lot of people who were like that. I had to learn to dress the body I had (not the body I was used to) to minimize that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065663 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:37:22 +0000 luckypenny 1065663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone recovers differently. And 11 weeks is still in the "you just birthed a baby!" category for me. Don't be so hard on yourself :) </p> <p>That said, I think it was 6 months out for my tummy to finally feel/look even semi close to pre-pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065662 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:36:55 +0000 Pink Champagne 1065662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try Weight Watchers!! It's like the easiest way to lose weight- I lost my last 7 lbs of baby weight in like 3 weeks with it. The app is awesome too. I thought I was doing a good job of eating healthy before but I couldn't lose the weight until I did WW.<br /> There's a free month if you sign up before mid-September right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065652 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:33:20 +0000 Cherrybee 1065652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm almost down to pre-preg weight but my belly is HUGE! Its super flabby feeling too so i dont think its all uterus! I lost weight everywhere else due to my GD diet but - wow - I look 6 months gone! If you find out how to make it shrink, let me know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065579 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:55:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 1065579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not shallow, especially when you have people asking stupid questions. I have always carried any extra weight in my stomach so I have been asked if I was pregnant before I was even thinking about it. I guess the plus side is that now my belly doesn't look that different from before? </p> <p>I know some people hang on to a little extra weight until they wean, no matter what they do. But it's still early for you. No advice just hugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065574 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:53:48 +0000 mrs. 64 1065574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Students have no filter and no sense. I'm shocked I have any self esteem after the stuff students have asked or told me about my appearance. Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065568 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:50:21 +0000 Ra 1065568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: I wear it daily and STILL look pregnant :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065567 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:50:07 +0000 babynumber1 1065567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took forever do my belly to shrink back down. I'm sorry, I was uncomfortable until about 6 months. *big hugs* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065551 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:43:21 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 1065551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw I'm sorry! I'm sure you look good :)</p> <p>Haven't been there yet, but have you tried a belly bandit thing?</p> <p>ETA: someone I know pinned this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bellefit-Postpartum-Post-Pregnancy-Medical-Grade-Compression/dp/B004PBJ1RS/?keywords=bellefit&#038;qid=1372239922&#038;ref=sr_1_2&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;sr=8-2" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Bellefit-Postpartum-Post-Pregnancy-Medical-Grade-Compression/dp/B004PBJ1RS/?keywords=bellefit&#038;qid=1372239922&#038;ref=sr_1_2&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;sr=8-2</a></p> <p>and this is what I was talking about: <a href="http://www.bellybandit.com/store/p-1-original-belly-bandit.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.bellybandit.com/store/p-1-original-belly-bandit.aspx</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-i-still-look-pregnant#post-1065548 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:42:24 +0000 Ra 1065548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 11 weeks postpartum and I still look pregnant. I am thin everywhere but my belly. I have 20 lbs to lose and it is pretty much all belly. I have had several strangers and most of my students ask if I'm pregnant. With every inquiry, I die a little inside. I've always been thin, so I am incredibly uncomfortable in this new body. </p> <p>I am at the point where I am looking into liposuction. </p> <p>Any tips on what I can try first? I don't over eat, I exercise, and I breastfeed. Why do I still look pregnant when everyone else I know doesnt even look like they had a baby?!</p> <p>I know this post sounds super shallow, but this belly is killing my self esteem. :( </p>