Most new moms want to return to their pre-pregnancy weight, but find that getting rid of baby weight is often difficult to do. Losing those extra pounds shouldn't be a priority at first and a new mother should wait until six weeks postpartum to begin a new diet, which gives her body time to adjust after labor and delivery, according to Baby Center. A new mother's doctor can assist her in losing her baby weight in a healthy manner.
Breast-feed
A surprising amount of calories are burned through breast-feeding, around 600 to 800 per day, according to Fit Pregnancy. During this time, a mother should be consuming an additional 500 calories per day to produce enough milk to keep her baby healthy. Severely restricting calories while nursing could result in a decrease in breast milk supply and is not a healthy way to lose baby weight. Breast-feeding combined with other healthy lifestyle choices will typically result in weight loss without compromising the health of a new mother or her baby.
Exercise
Light to moderate exercise can be started soon after giving birth and will result in a healthier body and dropping those excess baby pounds. A woman should speak to her doctor regarding when she can start a new exercise routine after giving birth. Walking while pushing the stroller is a good way to ease back into physical activity, according to Baby Center. Other ways to incorporate movement into every day is to walk up and down the stairs a few times and lift weights while watching television. Rocking the new baby to sleep or to soothe her cries also burns calories. As time goes by and her body heals, a new mother can begin more vigorous exercise like jogging or going to the gym.
Eat Healthy Foods
Choosing healthy foods over junk food will make it easier to eat a reasonable amount of calories and fat while supporting a healthy body for mom and baby. "Parents" magazine recommends eating six smaller meals throughout the day over two or three larger ones. This keeps a mother's stomach full, which prevents her from overeating due to excessive hunger next time she gets the chance. Preparing easy to grab mini meals ahead of time makes it easier to eat them regularly. Eating from all the food groups ensures that nutrients needed for health are being consumed each day. This includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein and whole grains. An apple with peanut butter and a string cheese is an example of a good mini meal that promotes healthy loss of baby weight.
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