My twin boys, Alessio and Sebastian, have recently turned one and it’s given me time to reflect on all the little things that have changed for me appearance-wise since – and what people never warn you about!

Here are the things people don’t tell you before you become a mum:

Your tummy is never the same

Despite what your gym instructor might tell you in the early days of your pregnancy, you’ll likely never get your old tummy back post-pregnancy.

Not exactly anyway. Especially if you’ve had big-sized fraternal twins, who came with their own sacs and placentas, and weren’t a boot-camp instructor yourself prior to getting up the duff.

Those abs aren’t going to pop up and say hello now, even if you could get away with a flat-stomach look in the past. So start de-cluttering all those tight-fitting tops and dresses from your pre-baby wardrobe and make room for some new, breezy sort of threads.

Gleefully tell people you’ve never had a grey hair in your life?

Since I’ve had my boys, I’ve been tweezing WHITE HAIRS from my brows! I can only imagine it’s a slippery slide downhill from here…

Your tresses will also likely look a helluva lot DIFFERENT

When preggers, most ladies shed little or no hair due to the body’s suppression of androgens (male hormones). But once your bub is born, androgen production — and shedding — recommences. And by the time your little one’s about six months of age, new hair growth replaces whatever was lost. Which means annoying, wayward hairs sprouting from your hairline, plus maybe even a change in its colour and texture. Lovely.

Concealer will become your new best friend

Now my boys have turned one, they sleep through the night (touch wood), but, whew… those early days! Under-eye bags really aren’t sexy. But even if the bubs don’t wake you in the wee hours anymore, it doesn’t end there. Had a late night? Your little ones will still wake up with the birds, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and expect you to be ready to face the day super-early, too.

Despite all of the above, you wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Really and truly.

Even when you sail that beige structured dress you used to love into the nearest charity bin...

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.