EastEnders’ Melissa Suffield details her self-confidence struggles after giving birth

Former EastEnders star Melissa Suffield has candidly admitted there are days when she looks at her body and thinks ‘urgh,’ but she declared that becoming a mother has given her a new sense of confidence. 

The actress, 28, who gave birth to her son River last March with her fiancé Robert Brendan, insisted that feeling ‘sexy’ is about being comfortable in the skin you’re in and not looking like a model, as she reflected on self-acceptance. 

Speaking to Closer magazine on Tuesday, she said: ‘I feel no shame about the way I look – every woman, whatever shape, deserves to be represented. 

Postpartum: Former EastEnders star Melissa Suffield has candidly admitted there are days when she looks at her body and thinks ‘urgh,’ but she declared that becoming a mother has given her a new sense of confidence

‘Like most women, there are still days when I look in the mirror and think, “urgh that’s not me!” but that’s all part of an ever-changing relationship you have with your body.

‘I’m a mum now and I’ve got confidence I didn’t have before because I grew and birthed a human being. Being sexy is about being comfortable in your own skin, not looking a model.’ 

The actress is well known for her portrayal as Lucy Beale on EastEnders from 2004 to 2010, and she has been sharing a number of heartfelt posts about her experiences as a new mother, as well as adjusting to her changed physique. 

Earlier this year, the actress shared her belief that readjusting and getting used to the changes in her body since giving birth could take a ‘mental toll’.

Pregnancy: The actress, 28, who gave birth to her son River last March insisted that feeling 'sexy' is about being comfortable in the skin you're in and not looking like a model

Pregnancy: The actress, 28, who gave birth to her son River last March insisted that feeling ‘sexy’ is about being comfortable in the skin you’re in and not looking like a model

She told how keeping fit is ‘going to be quite a long journey’ for her. Describing her body as ‘broken’, she said she is ‘trying to be kinder to’ herself and is ‘not giving up’.   

The actress shared a photo of herself in a grey crop top and black leggings as she posed on the ground alongside her son.

She wrote: ‘River there, doing the yoga that I keep saying I’ll get back into doing (swipe. He’s absolutely obsessed with doing this and some day soon the kid is going to go full roly poly).

‘Fitness is going to be quite a long journey I think. Working through understanding what used to be a dancers body, and is now comparatively, quite a broken body, is taking a physical and mental toll. 

‘It’s not as simple as throwing on my trainers and having a go at couch to 5k- every step I take is measured, to make sure I never push myself so hard that it compromises my parenting, but still work hard enough to heal the parts of me that need fixing. 

Family: Melissa - who shares her child with her fiancé Robert Brendan - said to Closer magazine on Tuesday: 'I feel no shame about the way I look - every woman, whatever shape, deserves to be represented'

Family: Melissa – who shares her child with her fiancé Robert Brendan – said to Closer magazine on Tuesday: ‘I feel no shame about the way I look – every woman, whatever shape, deserves to be represented’

‘I started the @mamawelluk method last week and although I cried genuine tears at how difficult I found something that just a couple of years ago wouldn’t have even broken a sweat, I still feel positive about making a change and the programme really is excellent.

‘It’s so easy to feel defeated when my fitness was so good before, but I’m not giving up. Just trying to be kinder to myself and allow me the time I need. Baby steps.’ (sic)

She also recently hit back at a troll after they cruelly criticised her post-baby figure.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Melissa shared a heartless comment from a troll who wrote ‘ugh’ and left a vomiting emoji under the snap of her post-baby body. 

Throwback: The actress is well known for her portrayal as Lucy Beale on EastEnders from 2004 to 2010, and she has been sharing a number of heartfelt posts about her experiences as a new mother

Throwback: The actress is well known for her portrayal as Lucy Beale on EastEnders from 2004 to 2010, and she has been sharing a number of heartfelt posts about her experiences as a new mother

Stating that criticism was ‘classic and expected’, Melissa went on to say that she would usually block and report trolls without question as they were not ‘worth my time’, but this particular comment ‘got me a little’.

Observing the commenter’s profile picture, she wrote: ‘2 kids in that profile picture, one of which is a young girl. And not only do you feel that way about a woman’s body, but you’ve taken the time out to comment and let her know just how disgusting you find her.

‘And you’re raising a daughter, who will learn her worth from her parents. And a son who will emulate how you treat women. What a b****y shame.’ (sic)

In another message, the thespian went on to defiantly declare that she wont let trolls stop her from posting what she wants, while also praising those who related to her latest post.

Honest: Earlier this year , the actress shared her belief that readjusting and getting used to the changes in her body since giving birth could take a 'mental toll'

Honest: Earlier this year , the actress shared her belief that readjusting and getting used to the changes in her body since giving birth could take a ‘mental toll’