When Body Image Resurfaces in Postpartum
And in ways you might not expect….
The four following themes are ones that I frequently see in my work as a therapist who works primarily with pregnant and postpartum people, specifically in healing from trauma and in their relationships with food and body.
Feeling accomplished when you see the number on the scale go down vs. Feeling accomplished when you see the number on the scale, or the amount of milk you pump, go up.
2. Your day revolves around your diet and exercise schedule vs. Your day revolves around your pumping schedule.
3. Knowing exactly how much you are getting, through counting calories vs. Knowing exactly how much your baby is getting, through exclusively bottle-feeding and counting ounces/milliliters.
4. Difficulty trusting your body with food and being able to maintain its weight vs. Difficulty trusting your body’s ability to produce milk, and your baby’s ability to eat as much as they need.
So much can feel out of our control as new parents. Naturally, we humans grasp for what we can control, and that often looks like focusing on what and how much we eat.
In postpartum, that can look like having struggles with trusting your body - and your baby’s body - when nursing, and exclusively bottle feeding (whether it be expressed milk or formula) brings a sense of comfort from knowing exactly what the baby is getting.
I often get asked, “Should I work with a perinatal mental health therapist or an eating disorder therapist to address these issues?”
My answer: A perinatal mental health therapist
Why? While it would be beneficial to work with a clinician who has experience working with eating disorders and understands common battles with food and body, I feel it is more important to work with a therapist who is trained in perinatal mental health.
Because it is almost never just about the food and body. There is typically always something more beneath the surface, and a perinatal mental health therapist - who is trained in knowing common themes and what to look out for in postpartum - will be more able to help you connect the dots.
If you are wanting to find a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health…
🔵 You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.
🔵 Call or text Postpartum Support International at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔵 Download the Connect by PSI App
🔵 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔵 Visit postpartum.net for additional programs and resources.
