Dieting after birth can make mum's self esteem worse

Just two weeks after the birth of their children, 63% of all women wish to return to their pre-pregnancy size and shape.

The discord between how a woman’s body looks and the way she wishes she looked after pregnancy can lead to high levels of body image dissatisfaction and lowered self-esteem.

This leaves new mothers at high risk of body image disturbance, depression, anxiety, disordered eating patterns, impaired milk production and decreased psychological wellbeing. It can affect both mother and child’s future eating behaviours.