Childbirth is a miracle in itself. One can’t help but marvel at the precious little one and all the changes that a woman’s body goes through over 9 months to bring them here. As it is with most change, the period after the baby is born can be a trying one. The body is recovering from the stress of labor and preparing itself for the months of nursing to come. Following delivery many women encounter problems such as postpartum depression, uterine or bladder infections, excessive vaginal bleeding, discomfort during sex, sore nipples, swollen or saggy breasts, dealing with weight gain during pregnancy and difficulty getting back into shape.
How to lose weight after delivery
The pounds that one puts on during pregnancy can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Women often struggle with belly fat, fat in the and upper arms, and enlarged breasts. Women often seek help to lose weight after pregnancy. Dr Puneet Nayak from the Prettislim Clinic has compiled a few tips to address this issue.
1. Don’t Crash diet
While one might feel an urgency to drop the baby weight and get back to pre-pregnancy shape, dieting is not always the best idea especially immediately after childbirth. One needs to ensure that the body has the required nutrition to maintain itself, especially while still breastfeeding. Focus on getting a balanced diet and instead of cutting out snacking altogether, stock up on healthy snacks such as apples and wheat crackers instead. To get back in shape , eat when hungry and give the body time for the natural process of weight loss after pregnancy.
2. Breastfeed
It is widely accepted that breastfeeding helps with post natal weight loss. Try and stick exclusively to breastfeeding for as long as possible. Besides being good for the mother, it also helps in the baby’s mental and physical development.
3. Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water is more important now than ever to keep the mother healthy and body to run smoothly. It can also help one stay full and thereby helping cut down on unhealthy cravings.
4. Get active
Slowly incorporate exercise into the daily routing. At first, aim for 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Keep the exercises non-strenuous. Even a brisk walk with the baby is enough to get the blood pumping and keep the muscles and bones strong. Not to mention, this makes for great bonding time with the baby and can also help with depression, stress and sleep issues.
5. Rest
Getting a good night’s sleep might seem impossible right now with one’s baby waking up at odd hours. However, one needs to be well-rested to care properly for the baby. Being permanently exhausted will lead to stress, which will in turn lead to weight gain. Take naps during the day as possible and try and get to bed early to stay healthy, happy, and on toes.
By Cara McDonald
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