Daphne Oz on the Importance of Publicly Sharing Postpartum Photos: 'You Don't Have to Hide'

Karen Mizoguchi
Updated

As a role model for working mothers, Daphne Oz continues to give tips and tricks for all things parenthood, including keeping an open conversation about sharing postpartum photos with the public.

“Yes, it’s vulnerable. It’s not like I’m putting myself out there, saying I’ve got it handled or I’m back in the shape I want to be,” Oz, 32, tells PEOPLE about showing the realistic side of a new mom’s body after baby.

“The conversation I’m trying to have is making it okay for women to realize that if you don’t bounce back [it’s okay]. Some people do jump back — some people genuinely are back in their old clothes in a minute, and I am so jealous,” said Oz, who welcomed daughter Domenica Celine on Dec. 4.

“I want to make it okay for women who don’t have that experience to not feel like they failed somehow and to still be proud of their body,” the mother of three adds.

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Daphne Oz and daughter Domenica Celine in January
Daphne Oz and daughter Domenica Celine in January

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And Oz understands that every woman’s experience is different and unique. “I’m being realistic. Of course, you got the gift of a lifetime, a baby that [I] have in my arms now. I’d give anything for this so who cares about the couple extra pounds or loose skin or whatever it is?” she says.

RELATED VIDEO: Daphne Oz Shares Sweet Photo Shoot Featuring 4-Week-Old Daughter Domenica Celine

Adds the mother of three (she and husband John Jovanovic also share son Jovan Jr., 2½, and daughter Philomena Bijou, 4), “At the same time, [I’m] a woman, so I care that my clothes don’t fit. I care that I don’t feel strong in my skin.”

FRESH START // I’m working on my next cookbook (!!!) and it’s got me thinking about the way I want to eat long term. the way I want to celebrate with food and still celebrate my body at the same time. right now, I’m 3 months postpartum and ready to go back to slow carb living as a way to reach a healthy weight and a good headspace. it’s crazy how a few strict but simple rules can help break bad eating habits so quickly. let me know in the comments if you want me to share my meal plans next week and if you want to follow along! I’d love the company ????????????????????. . . . #fitness #mama #baby #babyweight #cooking #slowcarb #weightlossjourney

A post shared by D A P H N E O Z (@daphneoz) on Mar 7, 2018 at 1:42pm PST

seven weeks post partum, still looking three months pregnant ???? there is no bounce-back, it’s all onwards and upwards. every day has moments of total splendor and also a decent number of WTFs. I especially want the new mamas out there to hear that, because we see so much of how glossy motherhood can be and not enough of how real 3D life is always complicated (and better for it). you’re experience will be just right for you. prepare to be amazed by some things and horrified by others. motherhood is as complex and wonderful as the woman. ??

A post shared by D A P H N E O Z (@daphneoz) on Jan 23, 2018 at 4:11pm PST

RELATED: Daphne Oz Shares Selfie in Her Underwear at 3 Months Postpartum: “I Want to Celebrate My Body”

As for her “core message” to moms, the cookbook author and former co-host of The Chew aims to empower them by leading by example.

“I want to share my tips and tricks that I’m using that have been successful for me of trying to get back to feeling strong in my skin and feel like I look good in my clothes,” she says. “I want people to know that you don’t have to hide until you feel like you’re in that place.”