We love a celebratory body confidence story any day of the week, but this is a lovely, happy one about post pregnancy bodies, to take us into the weekend on a high.

The Independent reported last week on 26-year-old mother of four, Emmy Waller, who is one of many women sharing their breastfeeding photos on social media to celebrate the female form in all its glory, and to remind women that they don’t have to feel pressure to get back into their skinny jeans too quickly.

A mother posted this breastfeeding photo to remind women their bodies don’t have to be perfect after giving birth https://t.co/KKJELBY5b9 pic.twitter.com/xMPLhR8Qi0

— The Independent (@Independent) May 3, 2017

Waller’s photo sees her breastfeeding three month old baby Alice in the bath, complete with stretch marks and her self described ‘saggy belly’. She told The Independent: “of course the thing about the photo is that I thought I looked awful with stretch marks and a big belly, but people have been coming to me saying it’s the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen… it’s just something natural and this is how I look and I’ve inspired other women to feel amazing too.”

Waller’s photo comes in the wake of Rebekah Vardy’s photoshoot in April, which she did to show off her ‘mum tum’ when trolls criticised her post pregnancy physique. The wife of England footballer Jamie Vardy appeared in nothing but her grey and white Calvin Kleins, looking happy and confident with the new addition to their family, baby Finley. She used the opportunity to speak out about the pressures put on women to have “washboard stomachs” just weeks after having their children.

Vardy told The Mirror: “”I have a wobbly tummy, bigger legs, wrinkled skin and stretch marks, just like any woman does when she’s had a baby.” She also pointed out that post pregnancy, at a time of raging hormonal changes, the last thing any woman needs having had a baby is criticism, pressure and unnecessary anxiety.

The increasing conversation around post pregnancy bodies is part of the wider awareness around body confidence, and the way we talk about ourselves, which not only has an impact on our own mental health, but also that of our children. It’s so lovely to see women celebrating who they are and where they are in their lives whether it be prenatal, postnatal or any other point. Huge congratulations to Emmy, Rebekah, and all the other women out there on their body confidence journey.