Mom Shares Photo of Postpartum Belly: ‘There’s Nothing Wrong With It’

Elise Solé
Daniela Guerrero Bustos shared an Instagram photo of her breastfeeding her child, which has gained attention. (Photo: Instagram/heforestsoul)
Daniela Guerrero Bustos shared an Instagram photo of her breastfeeding her child, which has gained attention. (Photo: Instagram/heforestsoul)

One mother is making a powerful statement about postpartum bodies with a candid Instagram photo.

Daniela Guerrero Bustos, a Venezuelan married mother of two who sells essential oils in Leicester, N.C., on Tuesday posted the black-and-white image on Instagram, which depicts her lying down and breastfeeding her 18-month-old daughter, Naia, while her 4-year-old son, Noah, touches her stomach.

Life can't get anymore perfect than this. This was happening and I intended to take this picture to somehow explain myself and explain why this is beautiful. But no, this is plain perfect, no need to explain why. Noah was playing with my belly and he never said "what's wrong with your belly ?" Because there's nothing wrong with it, simple. I'm very honored that I get to raise a gentleman that can see true beauty beyond society's expectations. This is perfect and I couldn't feel any luckier. ????????✨

A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Daniela Guerrero (@theforestsoul) on May 2, 2017 at 6:45am PDT

Bustos captioned the shot, “Life can’t get anymore perfect than this. This was happening and I intended to take this picture to somehow explain myself and explain why this is beautiful. But no, this is plain perfect, no need to explain why. Noah was playing with my belly, and he never said, ‘What’s wrong with your belly?’ Because there’s nothing wrong with it, simple. I’m very honored that I get to raise a gentleman that can see true beauty beyond society’s expectations. This is perfect and I couldn’t feel any luckier.”

Her Instagram was flooded with supportive comments. “I think too many mothers hide their bodies after pregnancy,” one wrote. “And I believe that causes their children to lack confidence in their own bodies. I think it’s important to show what real bodies look like instead of covering up. It should be empowering, not embarrassing. Thank you for this.”

Others simply called the mother “beautiful,” and many thanked Bustos for her bravery.

Similar images have gotten attention for their honest portrayal of post-baby bodies. In October, a blogger and mother of three named Aliesha Watson posted an Instagram photo of her “tummy flab” while adding, “I feel very confident in my skin after this baby…I have that tummy flab, cellulite through the roof and I still can’t wear any of my jeans. But I feel good about my appearance. I have no intention of doing anything about anything for quite a while.”

And a blogger named January Harshe launched an Instagram account called Take Back Postpartum, devoted to raw and candid images of new moms — scars, rolls, cellulite, and all.

“We need to see these types of photos more often because they are real,” body image expert Robyn Silverman tells Yahoo Beauty. “Remember that many images are Photoshopped, retouched, puffed up, slimmed down, and hidden until suitable to be shown to the world. Real images promote positive body image, while doctored images spread a toxic message that no woman’s body is ever good enough.”

"Why be ashamed? A life grew inside of you that gives humanity hope of change. You felt things that I as a man will never understand. Even when you first held your baby girl or boy it was nothing similar to when they lay in their father's hands. Your body changed and so did you. It became a look into the past of what you went through. You grew mentally and emotionally and your spirit was taken to places you didn't think it would ever go. Your breasts may sit differently. Your ass may not be as thick as it once was. But why should it be when you gave so much of yourself to help all of us. A sacrifice of sorts if you choose to see it that way. But to me your body now is exactly how it's supposed to be. So don't be ashamed. Don't hide your changes from the world that you and your sisters helped create. Be proud of your story. Be proud of your lines. Be proud of who you've chosen to be." @expressionsuntold___ _ Muse: @sereneradianceyoga Photo by @expressionsuntold___ #birthwithoutfear #dontforgetdads #takebackpostpartum

A post shared by Postpartum Without Fear (@takebackpostpartum) on Apr 13, 2017 at 10:38am PDT

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