Many new moms are eager to get rid of their maternity clothes and back into pre-pregnancy form. If you're one of those moms, it's best to embrace patience and commitment to a healthy lifestyle, along with that newborn. Follow a nutritious diet and plan to lose weight slowly. Long-term success will improve your overall health and increase your ability to care for your baby.
Planning
The BabyCenter website says it's best to delay dieting for several weeks. Labor and delivery are hard work, and you will need several weeks to recover. Talk with your doctor at your six-week postpartum checkup about starting a weight-loss plan. If you're breastfeeding you might want to wait until your baby is 2 months old. Dieting can affect your energy level and milk supply. When dieting is too restrictive it can release toxins that are stored in your body fat into your bloodstream and milk supply, according to BabyCenter.
Exercise
Couple your diet with exercise, advises the parenting website Pregnancy-Info. Exercise not only burns calories, but also helps to alleviate post-partum depression. It will not interfere with breastfeeding, as dieting will. Ease into your exercise, starting six weeks after a vaginal birth and eight weeks after a cesarean section, if you have your doctor's OK. Begin with low-impact exercises such as yoga, swimming, biking or walking. If you didn't exercise while you were pregnant, start even more slowly. Begin with 10 minutes of gentle exercise and increase the time as your strength returns.
Eating Habits
According to MayoClinic.com, your eating habits may have changed during pregnancy to reflect the additional caloric needs of the developing baby. Nutrition is important after pregnancy, too, to support breastfeeding and your recovery. Focus on fruits, vegetables and lean sources of protein. If necessary, keep junk and other calorie-dense foods out of the house. Do not skip meals or limit fruits and vegetables, because they are nutrient dense and will aid in your recovery. Eat only when you are hungry, not when you are nervous or anxious.
Meals
With a newborn to tend, you might have a hard time finding time to eat. But skipping meals is not the way to lose pregnancy weight. Some women find that eating six small meals daily help them stave off hunger pangs and fit their new schedules better than eating three large meals. Try sitting down to eat as many of those meals as you can. Keep low-calorie, nutritious snacks on hand. Make sure you have breakfast, as it will keep you from feeling tired and hungry.
