Hudson Valley Parent

getting their baby to latch on. "Women with a poor body image think their bodies can't possibly do anything right," says Donna Bruschi, board certified lactation consultant at New Baby New Paltz. "They'll give breastfeeding a shot, but often give up because they see their learning curve as a failure instead of a natural part of motherhood." Donna also believes if mothers can get over that initial learning hump, they'll start to appreciate their bodies. Her biggest bit of advice to new moms suffering from a poor body image is to "do the best you can and understand that no one is perfect." Make peace with pregnancy If you're unhappy with your body, it's time for an attitude adjustment. Here are some tips on how to love yourself, even when you can't zip your "fat pants!" 1. Get perspective. Read books or ask your doctor about common physical changes during pregnancy so you aren't alarmed by every bump, lump or symptom. It's normal to feel a lack of control about labor and childbirth. Heightened emotions can cause you to obsess about changes to your appearance. 2. Focus on function. Boost your spirits by thinking about what your body can do, not how it looks. Living up to social standards might not be healthy for you or your baby. You're building a person with tiny fingers, toes, eyes and nose. That is beautiful. 3. Manage your energy. Fatigue makes it hard to handle emotional ups and downs. Schedule your most demanding activities during times when you have the most energy. Pregnancy can be exhausting. You won't be kind to anyone (including yourself) if you're tired and cranky. 4. Move it. Carrying the extra weight of a baby can be uncomfortable and you may be frustrated if you can't keep up a fitness routine. Challenge yourself to stay active. Walk as much as possible and do a regular stretching routine. Exercising will decrease bloating and increase your energy. 5. Leverage assets. Surely there is something to love about your pregnant body. Bigger boobs? Lustrous hair? Longer finger nails? Wear a V-neck blouse, get a great blow-out or give your nails a manicure. Playing up positive changes in your appearance can take your focus off less-desirable ones. 6. Dress up. If you have been skimping on your own wardrobe so you can buy only-the-best for baby, it's time to invest in yourself. Buy a few pieces of clothing that feel fabulous. Choose options that look casual, but well put-together. Resist the urge to buy clothing that is too big, which will make you feel frumpy. 7. Get busy in the bedroom. Intimacy may be the last thing on your mind when you're feeling not- so-attractive. Hear this: Your partner probably loves the way you look. Men are generally more accepting of the changes than women. Let him show you that you've still got it. 8. Take your time. Remember, pregnancy only lasts 40 weeks. Enjoy and revel in the power of your body. You're creating human life. In the end, you'll receive the most wonderful gift — a child that loves you unconditionally. Heidi Smith Luedtke is a personality psychologist and mom of two. She writes about self-improvement, people skills and parenting. You can learn more at HeidiLuedtke.com HVParent.com Q Hudson Valley Parent 9 "The bigger the better," says HVP Blogger, Erin Johnson "For me, the best part about being pregnant was the fact that for the first time in my life it was okay to have a belly. It wasn't that I had this insatiable appetite, it was just an odd feeling of not having to worry about how big my belly was growing. It seemed the bigger the belly the better! For me, pregnancy was a break from worrying about my body image. Being pregnant shows the world how beautiful, special and powerful a woman's body truly is. We can create life and that is truly awesome. Special thanks to Erin for sharing her story. MORE GREAT INFO! Tame your baby bump only at hvparent.com/tame-your-bump

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