Mum's Heartfelt Message About Why She Embraced Her 'Saggy Belly Skin' To Go Swimming With Her Kids

A mum has written an empowering message to explain why she chose to embrace her “saggy belly skin” to go swimming with her kids.

The mum, who shares snippets of family life on her Instagram page ‘Chillin’ With Children’, reflected on her body after having three babies.

“We went swimming for the first time yesterday and when I put on my suit to make sure it fits, I realised I had forgotten about my really bad saggy belly skin and crazy amounts of stretch marks,” she wrote on Friday 9 June.

The mum shared a photo against a bright yellow background of herself in a blue bikini, alongside her three children.

She continued: “I was faced with a decision to start the summer self conscious or embrace the fact I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to create and carry life three separate times.

“Not all women’s bellies get jacked like mine and it does make me sad (yes my tummy gets a lot of looks). But it is what it is.

“I can be embarrassed and have a messed up tummy or accept it and have a messed up tummy. The outcome is my choice.”

The mum said she realises there are hundreds of women who would give up their “perfect stomachs” in return for having three children without thinking twice about it.

“So I won’t think twice about it either,” she ended the message.

Her words resonated with other mums’ feelings about their post-baby bodies.

“Truthful and beautiful,” one wrote. “I, too, have struggled to embrace the belly and probably will struggle again after my next baby is born. This helps.”

Another commented: “You look beautiful. Thank you for embracing your body and setting a great example for all of us.”

Before You Go

Easy Ways To Soothe Your Body After Birth

Soaking In An Herbal Bath(01 of05)

Natural mamas swear by soaking in herbs to speed up the body's healing processes. Well, anything that gives you a chance to relax - if only for 15 minutes - is hugely important, especially in those early days post-birth, when hormones are going haywire and you're putting your newborn's needs ahead of your own. A quarter of a cup of Epsom salts, teamed with a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of lavender essential oil are an inviting combination to help ease muscle pain and relieve inflammation. Soaking in a warm bath is also recommended for new mums suffering from blocked ducts or mastitis as a result of breastfeeding.* (credit:stevecoleimages via Getty Images)

Cabbage Leaves For Sore Breasts(02 of05)

Breastfeeding can be wonderful. It can also be painful, tricky to master and bring with it a myriad of potential ailments that you never would have imagined (engorgement, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis, just to name a few). If breasts are feeling sore or uncomfortable - whether from engorgement as your milk comes in or because you have an infection - cold, raw cabbage leaves can be a soothing relief, as recommended by British breastfeeding organisation La Leche**.

Just keep a cabbage or two in the freezer for when you need them. Bonus: you can wear the leaves hidden inside your bra all day. Unfortunately, you will smell like a rotten salad - but it's a small price to pay for the relief you'll feel. Use only until swelling goes down as long-term use may reduce milk supply. (credit:chengyuzheng via Getty Images)

Sipping Camomile Tea(03 of05)

Camomile tea is known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers, including a 2010 study published in Molecular Medicine Reports*** and it is also thought to help promote restful sleep - essential when you're in the broken newborn sleep stage and need to make the most of any ZZZs that you do catch. Another interesting use for camomile? Researchers have found that camomile tea can even help to soothe a colicky baby.**** (credit:J Shepherd via Getty Images)

Hydrating Creams To Soothe Irritated Skin(04 of05)

Hormonal fluctuations can wreak havoc on a new mother's skin - in pregnancy and beyond, according to the NHS+. Moles may darken, you can sunburn more easily and you may find that your skin is more sensitive, itchy and more easily irritated by products you comfortably used pre-baby.++

If you are one of the women suffering from eczema or dry skin who found that your condition worsened post-birth, then add a hydrating, fragrance-free cream and shower gel to your routine, like the emollients from Oilatum, including Fragrance-Free Shower Gel and Oilatum Cream, which are designed to treat dry skin conditions and rehydrate sensitive skin. (credit:Cecile Lavabre via Getty Images)

Coconut Oil For Stretch Marks(05 of05)

While there are countless creams, oils and potions claiming to 'magic' away post-birth stretch marks, take it all with a pinch of salt. While stretch marks do fade, they don't ever disappear completely.+++

However, if you're looking to minimise them, coconut oil is a favourite among Earth Mamas. Keep it around the house and it can also help to soothe sore or cracked nipples (from breastfeeding). (credit:Magone via Getty Images)