Melissa Suffield has reassured mums they don't need to "snap back" to their pre-baby body, adding "there is no time limit."
The 29-year-old — who is best known for her role as Lucy Beale on EastEnders — often shares inspiring posts with her social media followers and has described herself as an advocate for body neutrality.
Melissa showcased her postpartum figure in an Instagram video on Thursday (July 7), two years after giving birth to her son River.
The former actor posed on a bed as she wore tangerine lingerie and showed off her curves.
In the video, Melissa rubbed her belly as text appeared on the screen. It read: "2 days postpartum."
She then shook her head and swapped days to weeks, then months and finally years.
The text on the screen also said: "There is no time limit. You don't need to 'snap back'.
"Take the pressure off. It's fine."
Melissa captioned the video: "My most recent piece for @motherandbaby touched upon what happens when the fourth trimester is over and you’re still exhausted and squishy and very much not ‘back to normal’- so it’s time to lean into the FIFTH trimester!
"There no time limit, and it’s a safe and kind space where you can move at your own pace.
"You’ll always be postpartum, it doesn’t just go away after 3 months. You’ll always be ‘post birth’, and it will always have affected you, positively or negatively, emotionally, mentally and/or physically.
"So let’s start being kinder to ourselves, taking the pressure off a bit, and relaxing. Focus on our happiness and well-being, our parenting, and finding joy, playtime, and contentment.
"The button on the jeans will do up again one day. Or maybe it won’t. It doesn’t matter and it doesn’t define you either way."
Fans were left in awe of her inspiring message and took to the comments to praise the TV star.
One person wrote: "I am literally you, you have helped me so much."
Another said: "Oh I needed this. I'm 5 weeks pp (I know still super early,!) and I was a curvy size 16 before, so I'm used to my body being soft. But trying to learn to love this new jiggle I've got in my stomach. Seeing real bodies certainly helps."
One fan commented: "You are so beautiful! I needed reminding of this today!"
A fourth said: "So true, beautiful Mumma absolutely love this."
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