Losing Pregnancy Weight After The Delivery

[Carol]

Tips to lose pregnancy weight. Weight gain during pregnancy is natural. It is necessary for the baby to develop and growth correctly and healthy, and for mothers to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, which requires a lot of energy. That’s why it is important that mothers learn to accept positively the physical changes they experience during pregnancy.

However it is quite natural that women want to return to their pre-pregnancy weight soon after delivering a baby. This is perfectly comprehensible. But be patient. Weight loss after pregnancy should be slow and gradual and should be approached in the correct way. Losing weight to fast after giving birth can be harmful for both the baby’s and the mother’s health. It can impact the mother’s ability to breastfeed successfully and can cause toxins stored in maternal fat tissue to be released into the bloodstream and breast milk.

It takes about 6 months after giving birth for a woman’s body to return to normal and re-establish its pre-pregnancy hormonal balance and metabolic rate. During this period of recovery, it is important to provide the body with all the nutrients and energy it needs. Moreover caring for a new baby is exhausting and requires a lot of energy, especially for mothers who have to cope with breastfeeding and night-feeds.

Therefore during the first few months after pregnancy, the focus should be on eating a well-balanced healthy diet, with enough calories and nutrients to cope with the new demands. Diet should provide at least 2000 kcal per day and should be rich in nutrient dense foods, such as fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. It is also important to eat several small meals throughout the day, to provide the body with a continuous supply of energy and nutrients.

Mothers who breastfeed often experience a natural, gradual weight loss, without any food restriction. In fact breastfeeding is regarded as the most natural and effective way to lose pregnancy weight over a period of about 10 months.

However not all women who breastfeed lose weight. In this case, as well as in the case of women who do not breastfeed, a moderate calorie restriction can be started only after two or three months after giving birth. It is important to follow a healthy low-fat diet (not too extreme), providing all the nutrients the body needs, and consult with the doctor before starting it. The aim should be to lose no more than one pound per week.

Exercise is important as well. During the first few months after delivery, exercise should be moderate and gentle, while vigorous and sustained exercise should be avoided. Moderate, regular exercise is helpful for physical health and improves mood. After the first 2-3 months, the exercise program can be gradually increased to the desired level and it is possible to include some more vigorous exercise.

What is really important is not to aim for fast weight loss. Weigh reduction after pregnancy requires time and patience. With a healthy diet and exercise, most women can return to their pre-pregnancy weight in 8 to 12 months