Baby, Husband arrival and Wedding!

Emily - posted on 01/07/2009

thanks a million everyone!

Kerri - posted on 01/06/2009

Breastfeeding actually helps you lose the baby weight. As long as you are eating healthy foods, it is fine to diet. Just make sure you are eating the right things. I had a c-section and was exercising when my daughter was 3 weeks old. I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight by the time she was about 5 months. You can do it, just takes will power (ha easier said than done sometimes)

Hanna - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Emily,
If you're having a natural birth and no pregnancy complications, you should be exercising right now during your pregnancy and make sure you eat balanced this last month. Believe it or not, if you do eat right, you will start to lose weight before the baby is born (what i mean is, by now you no longer gaining any more fluid in your system, the baby is growing extremely fast and if you lead an active lifestyle you will put on a few pounds, but it will all be baby weight as opposed to you gaining weight and if you eat smart, i.e. balanced and stay away from sweets & fried food as much as u can, some of the weight u put on around your hips & legs, u will start to lose and while u'll put on weight in pounds, u will lose pant sizes and ur limbs will become skinnier).
now, as far as full-scale exercise: you can gradually start the day after delivery -- do small light movements like torso movements sideways and slow crunches 5-10 at a time 2-3 times a day, start with 1 (maybe do 2 reps of 5) and build up to 3 times a day to get ur ab muscles back active -- it will hurt, but it will force the muscles to start working again and tensing up after 9 months of idleness. take it slow the first 3-6 weeks or so, give yourself a chance to rest and recover, but don't just lay in bed or turn into a couch potato. stay active -- do stuff around the house, take ur baby for a walk (that one will benefit both of you more than you know) and eat smart. while you will need to eat extra calories to produce milk, just like during pregnancy, it's what you eat that counts -- eat smart, eat different food groups, try to stay away from saturated fats & heavy sugars. if you are craving sweets, do have some but see if you can have dark chocolate instead of white, maybe mix in some fruits with that chocolate mousse or creme brulee or ice-cream (frozen yogurt?). i wouldn't recommend switching to splenda or sweetners instead of sugar, if anything, see if you can switch some of it for honey. ur body still needs sugars so definitely eat them. and by staying active from day 2, u will set yourself up for success. breastfeeding will help with flattening the tummy, but if you want, 4-6 weeks after delivery, you can start doing exercises for obliques, lower back muscles and some crunches for mid and lower abs. if you have a mommy & me yoga available to you, do it -- great stretches & helps u to get toned while you're bonding with your baby. also, if you're in an area where you can swim, take full advantage of it -- it'll help you to get toned faster. do remember that you will retain at least 5-7lbs while you're nursing just because your boobs are bigger and heavier. but by august, even if you don't fully go to your pre-pregnancy size, you will at least look toned in a bikini.

Amanda - posted on 01/06/2009

Breastfeeding is actually a really easy way to burn fat and loose baby weight.  You still need to eat more calories but if you eat healthy (avoid fastfood, but a cookie now and then won't hurt), the Lbs should shed pretty easily.  I gained 25 Lbs total, the baby was 8Lbs 2oz, and after birth I had about 12 Lbs left to loose.  With minimal exercise, like putting the baby in the stroller and going for a walk, and breast feeding, I lost the rest in 4 months.  Be careful after you stop breastfeeding though because I had a hard time cutting out the extra calories I had been taking in while pregnant and breast feeding and gained some back after the Holiday's that year.

Ashley - posted on 01/06/2009

I went to a nutritionist while I was breastfeeding and they told me not to go under 2000 calories a day cause breastfeeding burns calories and helps your metabolism and you have to compensate for it. Good luck

Jen - posted on 01/06/2009

I am also breastfeeding - my son was born in November.. The first 15 pounds pretty much dropped off by itself and now I'm going to start working out this week... You are supposed to wait until your 6 week after birth check up before starting actually working out.... but before that you can do gentle exercises & walking... ( I found I got easily tired & sore, even a month after birth)...

Lisa - posted on 01/06/2009

Weight watchers has a specific program for breastfeeding mommas.  With my first child the weight came off pretty effortlessly, but by the third it wasn't so east, so I tried WW.  It worked great. 

Paulette - posted on 01/06/2009

Hi Emily,

Actually I would not diet when breastfeeding. Your body needs enough nutrition to support breastfeeding and what it needs. You body will actually loose weight when nursing itself. I lost 30 pounds in the first month after I had my son. If all goes well I would start exercising after seeing the doctor I think it is 1 month after birth. You can ask the doctor at your next visit. I would recommend checking out this website for an exercising option for later...www.benderball.com. This is what I would suggest....talk to your doctor, eat a balanced diet (a lactation consultant can help with info.) and nurse plus exercise to loose weight a month after having you little one. Congradulations on your little bundle of joy! Take care.

Cris - posted on 01/06/2009

Don't stress yet.  You could easily get back to your "normal" size simply by eating healthy, breastfeeding (it burns some serious calories!) and working out.  Breastfeeding is similar to being pregnant in that what goes in you, goes in baby (most of the time) so treat it similarly.  And during these last few weeks, be kind to yourself - you are probably feeling huge, but it's all going to be worth it.