Its hard after watching the scale go down so quickly in the days/couple weeks right after birth to then see it slow down or stop. Generally you will lose about 20 lbs right away (although b/c they pump you full of fluids at the hospital is takes a week or more to lose this). Then about 5 more lbs over the next couple weeks---by the 6 wk checp up you should be down about 20-25 lbs. after that it is much slower, about 5 lbs per month is what I got, BUT I ate like crazy, since I was always starving. If you have a good pump and a little time while your little one is sleeping, stock up your milk supply (and burn some serious calories) by pumping. Also, remember that around 4-6 months old your baby will be nursing such large quantities of milk you will be burning up to 1000 calories a day----some nice calories burning. Keep up the nursing, nothing helps more.
You are only 6 weeks out! It is normal to take your body an entire year to re-regulate itself completely after birth. There is a saying, "It took you 9 mos. to put on the weight..." Be good to yourself. The "star" version of birth, motherhood, and postbaby body makes us "normal" woman feel bad about what is TOTALLY normal! They have specail cooks, personal trainers, nannies, housekeepers, assistants, and many don't breastfeed or only for a short time, all they have to do is focus on their body. You have your hands full with a 21 mos old and a new born (I have the same age difference with mine, it's a LOT of work!!)
I know people say that breastfeeding is such a great way to stay slim, but I was the opposite. I didn't start really losing until I stopped breastfeeding. While I nursed it was very slow with lots of leveling off points. Your body can hold onto the extra weight in case there is an emgerancy and you can't eat (survival instinct)and to lose the weight sometimes mean workouts that will decrease your milk supply. So I nursed and ate right and gave myself to my children knowing that I would get my body back when they didn't need me for that very important breastmilk anymore. Good for you for giving of yourself and breastfeeding!
6 weeks.. that's it.. give yourself a break. Your body still needs to hold on to some of that maternal weight. Remember 9 mos. up.. 9-18 mos. down.
Talk to your doctor she may even scold you for trying to lose weight so soon.
Congratulations on your new baby! Just a few years ago doctors would have you come in at six weeks and then approve exercise, I hear they have changed things since then. Give yourself a break!
It took nine months for your body to make and grow this wonderful baby and your body is still working to feed it. Give your body at least nine months to recover.
I did find that I had to exercise on top of the usual running after kids to keep my weight down (never an issue before kids). I recommend pilates. Denise Austen has a few 20 minute workouts that can be done on the floor (I barely had the energy to stand and exercise). After a while I was able to walk on alternate days (though you already do that).
Take your time, and good luck!!
Don't do this to yourself! Now is not the time to be worrying about losing weight. You only gave birth 6 weeks ago! I know right now that seems like a long time ago, but believe me when I say it's nothing.
I feel like this compulsion we have to get skinny again so soon after childbirth comes from the media's portrayal of celeb moms. Do not compare yourself to people like J-Lo and Nicole Richie, who look like their old selves after 6 weeks of giving birth. These people have round-the-clock nannies, personal chefs to cook all their "fat free" meals, and trainers who stay on top of them - not to mention the that they have the actual time to workout for hours a day because someone else is taking care of their child.
Reality is this - it took 9 months to gain the weight, you should expect it to take the same amount of time to lose it. In the meantime, EAT!!! You need the fuel and more importantly so does your baby. You burn more than 500 calories a day breastfeeding - that's almost twice as much as any workout.
Enjoy this time and don't stress over an 20 extra pounds. The weight will come off - and if it doesn't, at the end of the day, do you really care? You have a beautiful baby to show for it!
my first suggestion is to stop worrying about your weight! i try to think about it like this: babies prefer to snuggle with a teddy bear than a barbie! the other thing i try to keep in mind is that anything that's extra pre-pregnancy will more than likely be sucked off at the growth spurts (6 weeks, 3 mos, 6 mos, 8-9 mos). if you're pre-pregnancy weight at those points, it can hurt your milk supply or make you exhausted when baby starts to grow.
otherwise, your milk production is just now hitting a point where it is regulating based on you (diet and sleep) and baby's needs. dieting in the first few months is not really recommended because of this self-regulation. once you hit about 3 months, though, "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding" is a really great guide if you need to lose a few pounds.
Jennifer, I hear you. Weight Watchers has a plan tailored for breastfeeding moms so that you are in a safe calorie range, but at the same time guided toward better choices. You can participate in meetings or online. I think it's nutritionally sensible--I'd like to dump 30. It's so frackin hard. I don't work for WW, by the way, just a longtime member. Hang in there!
Congrats on the baby! Yay!
Dawn
don't stop eating. you burn approx extra 500 calories producing milk. just make good food choices in what you're eating. healthy fats from nuts, nut butters, avocados and dairy are good. avoid sugars (i know it can be hard, my sugar desires increased while nursing). eat fresh fruits like pineapple, grapes and berries instead of refined sugars. keep up the good work nursing and do it as long as you can! it's the best thing for your baby!
Weight Watchers works great for me and they figure in the amount you should eat while breastfeeding which is great!
I do the online program and it is only $16 a month. I don't have time to attend meetings so this has been really good for me as well.
I wished that someone had told me that you don't drop weight breastfeeding the second child like you do the first! Almost 2 years after having my second I found myself with 35 pounds left to lose. I did Weight Watchers and lost 45 pounds in 9 months. Looking back, had I known how effective it was, I would have started it a couple months after having the baby following the WW breastfeeding plan.
hey girl!
i know this is you! my suggestion is to stop stressing about the weight.... people pack-on and retain weight when they stress out. you are gorgeous and look better than anyone i have ever known, just six weeks after having a baby!
:)
steph
ps- you wrote your name with 3 "n's"
Hey,
Well, try to not consume extra calories. Instead, to increase your milk flow try to take fenugreek. This is a natural supplement you can buy at GNC or other health food stores. It is very safe to use, it is what is used to flavor maple syrup! When you take a lot, your sweat will smell like maple syrup, that's it. It is available as capsules to swallow or as tea. I found that it really increased my milk flow alot when I was nursing (I needed it to increase, b/c my daughter was allergic to every formula I tried, so I had to make sure she was only on breast milk. Also, try not to eat after 6pm or 7pm and make sure you drink lots and lots of water. Hope this helps ya, good luck!!
I didn't lose the rest of my baby weight until I got some much needed sleep on a consistent basis. best of luck!
6 weeks is not very long in my mind! I gained 50 (!) pounds when I got pregnant, granted I was very thin to begin with. But I didn't worry about losing the weight. I just ate healthy and breastfed and by the time baby was 1 yr old I was back to normal. Give your body time to re-adjust and don't stress over it. You are burning lots of calories breastfeeding and taking care of baby.
I had a hard time with this too, and in my case, the hunger and weight lasted long after we were done breastfeeding (sorry). I think the hunger is sort of a mental thing. If I didn't eat, I felt nauseous when I was pregnant, and I think that hunger just stayed with me mentally. I just had to force myself to cut back. Of course if you have to eat, eating healthier snacks is best. I still have the weight to lose though. I have heard this before, and I definitely think it's true - you just have to work out to lose it if it doesn't fall off within those first few months. I'd suggest a yoga DVD to do with your baby. They have them at Target and they're recommended by Parents Magazine. We now have the one for toddlers, and we do it together all the time. My 20 month old thinks it's hilarious - I think its fun - it doesn't feel like a workout but it totally is. I couldn't find time to work out either, so this is what I had to do, and I am so glad I did because it's so much fun :) Good luck!
Kim
You have to eat. when you don't take in enough calories your body stops buring as much so even though you are burning what you need for breast feeding, if you are not getting food for the rest of you body functions, your metabolism will slow down and stop burning anything extra so if your hungray eat. just make sure you are eating healthy low fat options. that your body will use for fuel and stay away from processed or high fat food and snacks. Good luck.
Same thing happened to me. only I am on my first child. However, i was sooo hungry all the time and i still am..but i joined weight watchers again and am on the breast feeding plan. i get a ton of extra points...anyway, this just helps me stay on track and not OVER eat...which is easy to do with all the hunger pains. I am only 8 lbs from my pre preg weight now and my son is 2 1/2 mo old. Good luck.
Listen to your body. Eat healthy, but don't worry. It is so early after your pregnancy, it's just going to take time. And don't feel guilty if you don't have time/energy to work out. Little ones are very hard to care for, especially so close in age. Enjoy this time with them, and don't even let your mind go there. This summer you'll probably be pretty active. It will come in time. Plus your newborn will probably get more demanding during the 6-8 week fussy time. You'llneed your energy for them, not weight loss. But do have healthy snacks on hand, when I don't I grab junk for the ease of it.
I will need you to tell me the exact same thing I am telling you in a few months- but just relax and enjoy this time- don't worry about your weight right now. There will be a lot of time to fix this situation down the road. At 7 mos I lost almost all of the extra weight I had gained.
I'm an exercise physiologist specializing in prenatal and postpartum fitness. It is not uncommon to have ebs and flows when it comes to losing the weight, particularly the second and third time around.
Now that you're past the 6 week mark, your body is getting out of it's "recovery phase" and it will be easier to see changes in your weight.
The best thing to do is incorporate exercises into your everyday activities. While you're breast feeding, sit on a big resistance ball (about $20 at Target) with a Boppy or Breast Friend around your waist. Sitting on the ball will keep you from hunching over and is a TERRIFIC ab workout (it will also take the pressure off your back). While you're on your walks, speed up for a little bit and then slow back down. Interval workouts burn he most calories. Try some walking lunges while you're walking for lower body strengthening (this will help boost your metabolism). Do some push-ups or modified push-ups (on your knees) while the baby is doing tummy time or you're playing on the floor.
You're more than welcome to come try out one of our Stroller Fitness classes (we always have a free trial) to get some more ideas. Most of our moms have lost their baby weight and then some. We have classes 6 days a week in Naperville, Plainfield, and Carol Stream/Bloomingdale. Feel free to contact me if you want to come try it out or for any other "helpful hints".