Former Bachelorette and mom of two Ali Fedotowsky is on a roll when it comes to starting conversations about why we mamas should love our bodies (and we love her for it).

Earlier this week Fedotowsky posted a series of photos showing her postpartum belly, loose skin, and all. It was a vulnerable post, but a really valuable one in a world where images of celebrity postpartum bodies often don’t reflect the ones we see in the mirror.

“I know it’s important to be open and honest about my postpartum body in hopes that it helps even one person out there who is struggling with their own body image,” Fedotowsky captioned the photos.

It seems like that post is helping, because, as Fedotowsky noted in her next Instagram post, her honest belly pics were met with an outpouring of love and support.

 

 

“I had no idea how many women needed to see that post,” she wrote, noting that the reaction to those photos inspired her to write a blog post featuring her favorite breastfeeding-friendly clothing , because she’s celebrating and loving her postpartum body for what it did and continues to do for her baby, not just what it looks like.

“Yes, I may have extra fat and loose skin around my belly, but that same body nourishes and comforts my child. Just another reason to love every inch of my body and how it has changed.”

Fedotowsky gave birth in May, so she’s only a couple months postpartum and it’s not surprising that she’s still carrying a little extra weight. Research indicates that about 20% of moms are carrying about 11 pounds extra 6 to 18 months after giving birth . And while weight loss is often cited as a reason for women to breastfeed, studies show that breastfeeding doesn’t lead to substantial weight loss for everyone , and in fact only has a small effect on postpartum weight loss typically.

So moms like Fedotowsky should absolutely love the bodies that are feeding their babies, and we love how Fedotowsky is encouraging that.

Pregnancy changes our bodies. But they are still so beautiful.