‘I was worried I wouldn’t fit into my swimwear anymore’: Ashley James wears a black bikini for son Alfie’s first swimming trip and urges new mums not to fear getting their bodies out
She gave birth to her first child, Alfie Rivers, in January.
And Ashley James, 33, wore a black bikini to take her beloved boy on his first swimming trip on Wednesday, admitting she had spent the whole morning worrying she wouldn’t fit into her old swimwear after giving birth.
Documenting the trip on Instagram, Ashley wore a black bikini and urged other new mothers not to worry about getting their bodies out, reminding them that no one would be viewing their bodies negatively.
‘I was worried I wouldn’t fit into my swimwear anymore’: Ashley James wore a black bikini for son Alfie’s first swimming trip and urged new mums not to fear getting their bodies out oin Instagram on Wednesday
Ready to take a dip: Ashley slipped into a simple black bikini ahead of her first swimming session with her baby son and shared her thoughts and feelings
The DJ and influencer shared a duo of sweet snaps with baby Alfie at the pool as she revealed that it was ‘One of my favourite memories with him so far.’
Ashley beamed at the camera as she clutched her boy, whom she shares with partner Tom Andrews, 31, while standing poolside.
While another snap saw both mother and son smiling for a mirror selfie, with little Alfie looking adorable in a blue patterned swim outfit.
Captioning the snaps, the former Made In Chelsea star described her both her and Alfie’s love for the water, sharing her delight at seeing her son’s face as he experienced a pool for the first time.
Bonding: The DJ and influencer, 33, shared a duo of sweet snaps with baby Alfie at the pool as she revealed that it was ‘One of my favourite memories with him so far’
Ashley had said was initially concerned about showing off her post-partum figure in the pool, but she needn’t have worried as she ‘barely looked at anyone else or worried about my body’ once in the water.
She penned: ‘Taking Alf to baby swim has definitely been one of my favourite memories with him so far.
‘I’ve always loved water – be it swimming, diving, being near the ocean. There’s something so calming about the sea for me – and we celebrated reaching 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy with a sunset swim in the ocean. My affinity to water is one of the reasons Alf’s middle name is Rivers.’
She continued: ‘He used to kick in my belly whenever I was in the water, has always LOVED his bath… So to see his little face when he got in the swimming pool. His mind was blown – like WOAH THIS IS THE BIGGEST BATH I’VE EVER SEEN.
Post: Captioning the snaps, the former Made In Chelsea star described her both her and Alfie’s love for the water, sharing her delight at seeing her son’s face as he experienced a pool for the first time
‘He’s also so intrigued by meeting other little humans his size – as if he’s only just realising that there are more of him and his best friend doesn’t have to just be snoop and my boobs.’
The TV star went on: ‘I spent all morning worrying about the fact my body didn’t fit into any of my old swimming stuff… But honestly I barely looked at anyone else or worried about my body once I was in the water with him. All I looked at was how happy the other mummies looked with their babies getting to experience things with them.
‘So if you happen to be worrying about getting into your swimwear – then hopefully this reassured you. No one ever judges us the way we judge ourselves anyway!’
Concluding her post, Ashley said: ‘I’m really enjoying getting to push myself out of my comfort zones and go out and about with Alf.
Worries: She also shared a video of herself in a zip-up swimsuit over her black bikini as she shared how she was so concentrated on ensuring Alfie had everything he needed for swimming, that she forgot that she didn’t have anything ‘appropriate’ herself
‘Obviously I didn’t know what being a parent out of lockdown entailed, and there were definitely benefits of getting that bonding time together in lockdown, but I was getting a bit fed up of the monotony of finding ways to entertain him at home, and questioning what life had become (not because of Alf, he’s amazing, but because of the repetitiveness) – and now I’m starting to see that outside of lockdown the world is our oyster.
‘I don’t need to stop being free spirited or adventurous – and even better, I get to watch him do and see things for the first time.
‘I mean, what an thing amazing experience with him – And how cute is his little swimming outfit. Next week he goes underwater! Now I’m just excited to take him to the seaside.’
Her post was met with a plethora of comments from her fans and celebrity pals, with many remarking how cute the snaps were.
Swim attire: The star filmed herself attempting to zip up the costume after remarking on her changing body, before eventually managing to secure the zip, noting it felt like she was ‘losing circulation in my boobs’
Whoops! However, despite her efforts to get into her ‘appropriate’ swimsuit for the pool, Ashley later revealed she left the swimwear at home and was forced to wear her ‘skimpy’ two-piece after all
Meanwhile, ahead of the trip to the swimming pool, Ashley took to her Instagram stories where she shared an inspiring message for new mums worries about getting their bodies out in the pool.
She also shared a video of herself in a zip-up swimsuit over her black bikini as she shared how she was so concentrated on ensuring Alfie had everything he needed for swimming, that she forgot that she didn’t have anything ‘appropriate’ herself.
The star filmed herself attempting to zip up the costume after remarking on her changing body, before eventually managing to secure the zip, noting it felt like she was ‘losing circulation in my boobs’.
However, despite her efforts to get into her ‘appropriate’ swimsuit for the pool, Ashley later revealed she left the swimwear at home and was forced to wear her ‘skimpy’ two-piece after all.
Last month, Ashley reflected on her postpartum figure as she posed for gorgeous new Instagram snaps in a black bikini.
Candid: Last month, Ashley reflected on her postpartum figure as she posed for gorgeous new Instagram snaps in a black bikini
The new mum said that all women should feel beautiful now the warmer weather has arrived, even if their bodies have changed over lockdown.
The former Made in Chelsea star also said she has more ‘respect’ for her body since giving birth and that she has embraced being ‘bigger’ and having stretch marks.
She looked stunning in the snaps as she posed in the swimwear while soaking up the sunshine on the terrace of her London home.
Alongside the bikini pictures she penned: ‘I don’t know who needs to read this, but you deserve to enjoy the sunshine no matter how your body has changed over lockdown! ☀️
‘I was so excited for the heatwave I didn’t really think about the fact my body had changed since last year and all my bikinis are all teeny weeny.
Honest: The new mum said that all women should feel beautiful now the warmer weather has arrived, even if their bodies have changed over lockdown
‘When I look back at my body before I had a baby I think how amazing I look and I wish I hadn’t wasted time feeling insecure about how it looked. And it made me think that there’ll be a time when I look back at this photo and think how great I looked.’
She added that all women whether they have just given birth or not should feel confident: ‘Whether you’ve just had a baby, or whether you’ve put some weight on in lockdown, or whether you’re just nervous to get back in your summer clothes – we really deserve to enjoy ourselves.
‘This year especially. And diet culture and unachievable beauty standards have put so much pressure on us, but I’ve come to realise it’s in our minds and has nothing to do with the way we look.’
Real talk: The former Made in Chelsea star also said she has more ‘respect’ for her body since giving birth and that she has embraced being ‘bigger’ and having stretch marks
She went on to say that confidence makes you beautiful: ‘When I see loads of women on the beach I usually see beauty everywhere. I love to see women of all shapes and sizes.
‘I love to see cellulite, and bellies, and all the things that make people beautiful… Mainly I admire the women who look carefree and confident. That’s true beauty.’
She signed off by saying: ‘So this year, I’m bigger than I was last year, sure. I’ve got some stretch marks, which I like to think of has a tattoo from Mother Nature to commemorate growing Alfie. But I have a whole lot more respect for my body, and all our bodies for what they do for us every day. ‘
Advice: Alongside the bikini pictures she penned: ‘I don’t know who needs to read this, but you deserve to enjoy the sunshine no matter how your body has changed over lockdown!’
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