Karena J. Burke

Issue Addressed: The postpartum period, a time known to instil joy and fulfilment, is dominated by unreasonable and often unattainable expectations for mothers to achieve perfection across multiple domains. Despite prior research confirming that body image dissatisfaction, disordered eating and postpartum depression are prevalent in the postpartum, mothers remain pressured to maintain active and healthy lifestyles while juggling the demands of parenthood. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study investigated body image, eating attitudes and mental health of the lived experiences of 182 Australian postpartum women through open‐ended survey questions. Mothers over 18 years ( M = 33.50, SD = 7.22) with biological children under four years of age completed an online survey and were recruited through social media. Results: Responses to six open‐ended questions were examined using thematic template analysis, which generated three themes: (i) Grieving Old Self: Finding Acceptance Amidst Changes to Appearance , (ii) Convenience is Key: Balancing Child‐Centred Nutrition and Mindful Choices Amid Time Constraints , and (iii) The Cognitive Load: Demands of Motherhood Supersede Positive Mental Health . Conclusions: Findings demonstrated the complexities that mothers experience and emphasised that the postpartum period is a time of personal transformation and growth, as well as considerable vulnerability toward the development of adverse physical and psychological outcomes. Mothers continue to experience body image dissatisfaction, are too time‐poor to eat healthily and are cognitively burdened by increased responsibility. So what? Significant attention and robust resources are needed from healthcare providers to mitigate these likely outcomes, offer preventative strategies to decrease risks to psychological health, and normalise mothers' experiences.

Introduction: The postpartum period can be a wonderful time for women as they embark on motherhood. However, this time is not without its surprises and challenges as new mothers support the life of another and navigate the physical and psychological changes they experience. This transformation period can often negatively impact body image and self‐esteem, which can lead to further adverse health outcomes for mothers and children.Methods: This research employs a qualitative design of semi‐structured interviews with 20 Australian mothers with at least one child under four.Results: Using reflexive thematic analysis, our study identified three key themes: (i) navigating expectation vs experience: Physical and psychological transformations in the postpartum, (ii) navigating body image in a socially influenced world, and (iii) navigating well‐being in a busy world: Balancing self‐care and external demands.Conclusions: The results highlight the influence of societal thin ideals on mothers' eating attitudes, the crucial role of support networks serving as protective factors against body image concerns, and the need for enhanced education and preparation to guide women through this transformative period.So What?: The findings shed light on the lived experiences of postpartum women, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay of body image, eating attitudes, and self‐care practices, sharing information for healthcare and support interventions, aiming to improve overall health and well‐being for mothers.

Social pressure to 'bounce back' and unrealistic body expectations place postpartum women at risk of body image dissatisfaction, depressive symptomology, and disordered eating. Prior research suggests that intuitive eating may reduce these risks. This study replicated a previous 2016 study between intuitive eating, postpartum depression, disordered eating, and body image satisfaction. Women over 18 who had given birth in the last four years were recruited through social media to complete an online survey. The final sample comprised 163 women aged between 21 and 42 years (M = 33.61, SD = 4.59) who were between one and 208 weeks postpartum (M = 78.27, SD = 53.40). Correlation analyses revealed significant negative associations between intuitive eating and body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, depression, and BMI. A hierarchical multiple linear regression demonstrated that body image dissatisfaction significantly predicted 29% of the variance in intuitive eating scores after controlling for BMI, disordered eating, and postpartum depression F(4, 133) = 68.71, p < .001. Body image dissatisfaction fully mediated the relationships between intuitive eating and disordered eating (c' = -0.01, p = .359), and depression (c' = 0.01, p = .427). There was a significant reduction in body dissatisfaction scores in the present sample compared to the 2016 cohort t(292.87) = 3.38, p < .001. These findings highlight the central role of body image and intuitive eating in postpartum wellbeing and emphasise the need for tailored interventions promoting realistic postpartum body expectations and adaptive eating behaviours.

Women in the postpartum period come under multi-level pressure to return to pre-pregnancy body shape and size. This pressure can lead to reduced body image satisfaction, self-esteem, and mood. In this systematic review we explored the influences and outcomes of body dissatisfaction during the postpartum period. Four databases were searched using keywords: postpart* OR postnatal OR peripart* OR 'new mother' OR 'breast feed*' AND 'body image' OR 'body dissatisf*' OR 'body satisf*' OR 'body attitude' OR 'body shape'. The influences and outcomes of body image dis/satisfaction in the postpartum period from 55 international studies were found to align within four of the five factors of the socioecological model. Intrapersonal factors: weight and body shape concerns, mental health and stressors, attitudes and behaviours, and protective coping skills and interventions. Interpersonal factors: social support (partner, family, and friends) and sexual functioning. Institutional factors: experiences with the healthcare system and returning to work. Societal factors: culture and ethnicity, media influences and social norms such as the thin ideal. A focus on intrapersonal factors alone is insufficient to understand women's experiences of body dis/satisfaction during the postpartum period. This suggests a need for better education and policy practices in pre-natal and postpartum care directed at body image and education to dispel societal norms such as the thin ideal. Doing so shifts the focus to include interpersonal, institutional, and societal influences alongside intrapersonal experiences. Research is needed to explore the utility and efficacy of broader approaches for women during this vulnerable life period.