Recovery after pregnancy?

Question

I am 23 years old and am pregnant with my first child. I am 32 weeks and I have gained 25 pounds so far. After I have my baby how can I lose the weight and get back into shape? I plan on breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 weeks and then breastfeeding and supplementing with formula.

Answer 1

First of all congrats. Watching what you eat (not dieting just being selective and eating smaller portions) and exercising about four times a week is a great way to get back in shape after first baby. I gained 24 lbs. with my first one and was back to myself in four months. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am 23 also and I had my first little boy right before my husband and my 2nd wedding anniversary. I was 20 when I had my first and 21 when I had my youngest little boy. And I gained with my oldest child 80 pounds!!! yeah I know a lot. I gained 20 pounds in one month, but I gained so much because I was drinking 2 1/2 gallons of milk a day. and I was sick with morning sickness all the time for the first 6 months but yet a gained 20 pounds in one month b/c I was drinking regular milk. Anyway your doing great. With my youngest little boy I was only sick a few times, and gained like 30 pounds. Breast is Best, and my milk on held out for 6 weeks with my oldest, and I had to pump it cause I'm inverted. And my youngest I went a bought a new double breast pump and my milk only last 5 days. So everyone is different, I hope you can breast feed. You need to do stairs after the baby is born, the helpa lot, and crunches, and walking or running will help you just fine. You try to stay away from caffine while breastfeeding and chocolate has caffine in it to. And fried foods try to stay away from thoses, and drink lots of water and that will crub your appitiate (I drink a gallon a day) and munch on fresh vegtables and fruits, it gives you vitamins for you and the baby and there not fattening. Hopes this helps and good luck and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 3

If you are able to make the commitment, Breastfeeding is a quick way to begin shedding those lbs. With my first pregnancy I gained 20 lbs, lost all the weight plus an additional 5 lbs in about 3-4 months (breastfed for 13 months total). With my second I gained 25 lbs., lost all the weight and an additional 10 lbs, he is 12 months and I am trying to wean him right now. I am now as thin as I was when I met my husband 10 years ago (Yipee). Note that I was lucky that I never had to sacrifice what I ate. Breastfeeding allowed me to eat anything and everything. Taking care of the kiddies is my exercise. My arms have muscle definition just from picking them up all the time.

Answer 4

Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to lose weight after the baby arrives! Good for you for committing to giving your baby the best and doing what's best for you at the same time. :)

Breastfeeding helps you slim down by particularly targetting the fat cells that you put on during pregnancy. Instead of following the body's normal weight loss patterns-- first losing excess water weight, then muscle, and *then* at last the fat stores, lactation induces a metabolic reaction that bypasses this usual heirarchy and allows those pregnancy-gained fat cells to burn *first*. Can't beat that! A great book to read on the subject is "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding" by Eileen Behan.

Healthy eating and moderate exercise are ALWAYS high on the list for losing weight and staying healthy. Yoga and Pilates seem to be very popular these days among the physically active moms I've known.

I breastfed all of my kiddos, one for almost a year, and the rest for closer to two years each. I was usually close to pre-pregnancy weight by about 6-8 weeks postpartum, and lost the least 5 or 10 lbs. when they were closer to a year old (and still nursing-- the book above will better explain this phenomenon). Usually ended up *under* pre-pregnancy weight at that point! :) That's my experience, at least.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

I planned on breast feeding too but it did'nt happen. I had my baby 14 months ago and i was hoping that eventually the weight would come off but it dosent you have to work hard to get it off. I am going to the gym 3 times a week for 2 hours a time and walking for an hour everyday and eating by weight watches points and it is working and i feel great.
But i sugest that you dont worry about it just yet, as the first 3 months of having a baby is out of this world. good luck being a mother is every emotion and more. Enjoy the first 3 months it does end!

Answer 6

you know i said that i was gonna do nothing but breastfeed, my baby girl is 6 weeks old and my milk dryed up 3 weeks ago. but when i had milk i was pumping a good 10 oz. a session, i wouldnt get your hopes up TO high something might happen to where you cant breastfeed like that. dont to discourage you, just want you to be prepared just in case. i had my first baby 6 weeks ago and i have lost 31 pounds so far. i only have 9 more to lose before im back to my pre-pregnancy weight. i went in for my 6 week check up today and my doctor said to eat healthy but dont diet to much because of how much weight i lost already, if i keep a strict diet then i will loose to much to fast and that can be unhealthy, she told me to excerise more and to go for walks that it would help alot.. if you are able to breastfeed naturally that will help alot too. btw im only 22 so there isnt much of an age difference. but everyone is different, you will find what works for you as soon as you have your baby. good luck

Answer 7

Well sounds like you you have the right attitude. I have had` 3 sons and am below my first baby weight. I breast fed for about 6b weeks or so with each and my body went back to noraml. small exercises at first make you feel great and look like you wnat. Don't be lazy and` take those stairs. Holding your baby and getting up getting down ect.. is alot of new mommy exercises. Good luck

Answer 8

This might sound weird but it worked for me and my mom. After the delivery, we tighten a wide sport bandage or waist restraint around hips to help it to contract to pre-pregnancy size. We also used hot water bag on our belly to keep good circulation. I wouldn't cut down the nutrition intake though since you're producing milk. Take fish oil to increase the over all quality of your milk.

Answer 9

R U ASKING LIKE while are you able to FALL PREGNANT returned? ITS many times RECCOMENDED to attend approximately 4 to 6 WEEKS and have yet another 'favourite' era AFTER THE BLEEDING HAS STOPPED BEAT A success TO YOU

Answer 10

Same way women who didn't just have a baby do it.... watch what you eat and get lots of execise. It's just going to be harder to work it all in with a new baby at home.

Good luck.