That lingering bump is frustrating; we get it. But there’s a reason it’s there. Several reasons. That soft, round belly after giving birth is something almost every mom experiences. It’s normal, it’s expected, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. Your body just did something incredible. Now, it needs time to reset. Let’s break down why your postpartum belly is still hanging around—and what you can expect moving forward.

Why does my postpartum belly still look pregnant?

During pregnancy, your uterus expands a lot—from the size of a pear to the size of a watermelon. It doesn’t just snap back overnight. After giving birth, your uterus starts to shrink, but it takes time. Around six weeks, it returns to its pre-pregnancy size, but that doesn't always mean your belly will be flat again.

There’s also water retention, extra skin, and separated abdominal muscles (called diastasis recti) that can make your after-pregnancy belly stick around longer than you expected.

The abdominal muscles and ligament also stretch for nine months. They don’t just bounce back right away. It’s like stretching a rubber band for a long time—when you let go, it takes a while to tighten again.

So, if you’re asking yourself, “Why does my postpartum belly still look pregnant? Know that your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to. It’s healing.

Check out our post on what to expect with your first postpartum period. It’s another real part of recovery that’s not often talked about—but you deserve to know.

It’s also worth remembering that emotional recovery plays a role, too. Many new moms feel pressure to “bounce back” quickly, but this mindset can be harmful. Your body just created life—it deserves rest, patience, and love. So, if your postpartum belly is still present weeks or even months later, that’s not failure. That’s motherhood in its raw, beautiful form

How long will it take for my postpartum belly to go away?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s what makes this so tricky.

In general, most women notice changes in their postpartum belly within 6 to 8 weeks. But it can take up to a year for your body to feel “back to normal”; even then, it might be a new normal.

For some moms, the belly starts to flatten within a few weeks after giving birth. For others, it takes several months or longer. It depends on your body type, how much weight you gained, whether you exercised during pregnancy, genetics, and whether you’re breastfeeding (which can help the uterus contract).

Here are a few gentle things you can do to support your recovery:

• Nutritious food and water help your body recover and reduce bloating.

• The gentle movement supports digestion, circulation, and healing.

• Avoid rushing into intense workouts. Always check with your doctor before starting any postpartum fitness routine. 

• Consider seeing a pelvic floor or postpartum physical therapist.

It’s important to remind yourself that social media and celebrity “snapbacks” aren’t the norm. Most real-life moms take months to feel like themselves again—and that’s perfectly okay. There’s no deadline. No pressure. Your after-pregnancy belly is part of your journey, not a problem to fix.