Body-positive mum hits back at 'unrealistic' nursing bra pictures
In a world where women are bombarded with photoshopped images of perfection, it's refreshing to see a mum call bulls**t.
New mum and body positive activist Ana Rojas Bastidas was two and a half weeks postpartum when she started searching for nursing bras online.
She quickly realised that the models being used for nursing bras were not only photoshopped, but they clearly had not birthed a child in the distant past.
So she decided to take matters into her own hands, by showing what a new mum nursing bra would really look like.
"As I was browsing I came across this ad and just had to share." Bastidas write on Instagram.
She questions the lack of representations of real mothers:
"What happens in the absence of representation? Our brain recognises that of all the examples of what a brand new mom is "supposed" to look like, that most of us don't even come close."
When we compare yourselves to images like this, Bastidas continues, it can be a massive hit to any woman's self esteem:
"Then, we start the comparing and that's when our self image goes to sh*t because you can't compete with a edited photo.
"Also, I can guess this model is not exactly two days out from giving birth like I was in the picture on the right and THAT is who is buying these bras."
Not only is this misrepresentation unfair, it's harmful to new mums who are struggling to get a full night's sleep, never mind bouncing back straight away:
"Please recognise this and be kind to yourself. The way you see and acknowledge this transitioning is so important.
"Otherwise, we become distracted by the unimportant and unrealistic things. Focus on your recovery and your babe(s) and forget the lies we're constantly being fed."
You've just created a life, she concludes, if there's any time to cut yourself some slack it's now:
"You deserve truth, love, excitement, joy, sleep, and more. Just the way you are. You've done and are more than enough."
Her words are so true, it's easy to get caught up in "bouncing back" after having a baby, but that's not the most important thing. Being kind to yourself, staying healthy and enjoying your little one are.