4 Tips to Lose That Baby Weight
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Once new moms get their new bundle of joy at home, they usually have one thing on their mind: getting rid of the extra baby weight. Doctors recommend that pregnant moms gain no more than 25-35 pounds, but that’s hard for a lot of us. We gain more weight than we like, then we’re anxious to shed it off.
Even though you’re eager return to your old body, remember to be patient and let your body heal! Don’t pay attention to the celebrities who dropped back to their magazine-quality bodies in weeks. They probably didn’t do it in a healthy way.
Here are some ways to help you lose that pregnancy weight.
1. Whatever you do, don’t diet
Cutting your calories after giving birth is tough. There are several foods you can once again enjoy since you’re no longer pregnant and dieting can adversely affect your health and milk supply. Your body is healing and you’re likely exhausted, so don’t reduce your caloric intake to an unhealthy level because you need the calories. Simply do your best to maintain a healthy diet.
2. Breastfeed!
You knew this one would be on the list! Studies show that breastfeeding can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster. You only need to consume about 300 calories extra per day (along with a LOT more water). But milk production takes a lot of energy, so you’ll be burning fat in no time.
3. Incorporate more exercise
This one seems like a tall task to ask of moms. They’ve got a little baby around now, so getting to the gym is nearly impossible for a while. But you don’t need to go far to get a workout. You can do plenty of exercises with your baby. (In fact, your baby makes a great weight because he/she gets heavier as you get stronger!).
Take a brisk walk with the stroller. Rock your baby to sleep as you walk around the house. Instead of pushing your baby around, pick up a sling and carry him/her wherever you go. There are plenty of ways to get your blood pumping.
4. Get your sleep
Again, another big request. When you’re stressed and exhausted, your body makes cortisol, which is a stress hormone that promotes weight gain. If you’re constantly bathed in cortisol, you’re going to have a hard time losing weight. Plus a tired mom is more likely to sit still and eat processed comfort foods.
Finding time to sleep with a newborn is whole blog post in itself, but do your best to get in whatever sleep you can.
How did you shed your pregnancy pounds?
Written by Melissa LaHann, Founder and CEO of Happy Fig, LLC
Like many moms before her, Melissa cradled her hungry, crying baby as she clumsily adjusted her bra and sat uncomfortably holding up her shirt. Before she knew it, her baby was squirming, her shirt was falling, and the nursing session was interrupted. She needed a better solution, so she created LatchPal, the first nursing clip of its kind.
LatchPal is a breastfeeding shirt clip that holds up a mother’s shirt during breastfeeding. It eliminates shirt re-positioning and feeding disruptions, and helps a mom nurse hands-free in comfort to maximize milk flow. LatchPal was designed with moms in mind. The multi-use solution only requires one hand to latch. It’s a must-have breastfeeding accessory and essential for post-partum moms, pumping moms, and nursing in public.
Interested in writing a guest blog for LatchPal? Send your topic idea to pr@latchpal.com.
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