5 Things to Remember About Postpartum Weight Loss

Well, it’s been 38 weeks since your pregnancy ended so you may be wondering why your body hasn’t bounced back yet. And why is it taking so long, when most celebrities seem to have rock hard abs just weeks after giving birth? And, more importantly, when are you meant to find the time to exercise when you’re caring for a nine month old baby who shrieks every time you leave the room? Here are five important things to remember about postpartum weight loss:

  1. Everyone is different

There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to postpartum weight loss. Your best friend might have shrunk back down in weeks, but that doesn’t mean the same will (or should) happen for you. Every body is different so you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Don’t hold your body up to a beauty standard set by celebrities in glossy magazines.

  1. A lot of what your grandma says can be discounted

Grandmas are great, but they’re not always up to date on the latest scientific research. One popular old wives’ tale is that it takes nine months for you to get your figure back after having a child. Whilst this may be true for some, it’s certainly not a theory that can be applied to everyone. It is true that it takes a few months for your hips and ribs to move back to where they once were, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your pre-baby body back then.

  1. Weight loss doesn’t need to be your main focus right now…

You probably haven’t slept properly in months, you barely have the time to drink a cup of coffee never mind cook a healthy meal. Your brain is muddled from lack of sleep, you spend most of your waking hours (ie, all the hours) attached to a clingy baby and you can’t imagine finding the energy to go for a run. That’s ok. It’s perfectly acceptable for you to be so immersed in motherhood that you can’t think about weightloss or fitness right now, you must do things in your own time.

  1. …But it’s ok if it is

Similarly, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you are starting to focus on getting fit and healthy. Leaving your baby to go for a run doesn’t make you a bad mom. In fact, taking some time to yourself and engaging in a stress-busting exercise could help you to feel like an even better mom. If you’re ready to get fit, then you should absolutely do that.

  1. Your body is amazing

It might not look exactly the same as it did before. Your boobs might be bigger or smaller than they once were. Your stomach might still look a little pouchy from the side. You may still have the odd stretch mark snaking across your tummy. But, your body is more amazing now than it has ever been before. Before you became a mom, you probably judged your body solely on its ability to look good. Now you know just how amazing your body can be. It’s hard to dislike something that brought you the person you love most in the world, isn’t it?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

What is Failure to Thrive?

The term ‘failure to thrive’ sounds pretty ominous, especially when a health professional is using it to describe your baby. In reality, however, it simply means your child weighs less than other children her age. It can even be used to describe unexpected weight loss in children.

You may have noticed that health professionals regularly weigh and measure your baby. This data is then compared to a growth chart. Plotting your child’s progress on the growth chart allows health professionals to see whether your child is growing as might be expected for her birth weight.

What causes failure to thrive?

If your child is diagnosed with failure to thrive, your health professional will work with you to determine the cause. Possible causes include:

  • Difficulty establishing breastfeeding – some babies are diagnosed with failure to thrive after a rocky start to breastfeeding. Getting advice from a lactation consultant could help you to determine the problem and help you overcome it so you can continue breastfeeding.
  • Illness – if your baby has been under the weather, she may have gone off her food for a short period, and not eaten as much as usual. This could cause an unexpected drop in weight.
  • Reflux or vomiting – suffering from either of these could put your baby off her food.
  • Sickness bug – if your baby has been suffering from a sickness bug, she might have lost a little weight.
  • Weaning difficulties – some babies are diagnosed with failure to thrive after encountering difficulties when it’s time to wean onto solid foods.

Treatment for failure to thrive

Once the problem has been diagnosed and the cause has been determined, your health professional will be able to best advise you of what to do next. Some good advice may be all you need to help your baby get back on track.

If you are worried that your baby may be failing to thrive, speak to your healthcare provider for advice. Remember, just because your baby is smaller than her friends, this doesn’t mean she will be failing to thrive. If you feel worried, however, it’s always worth getting it checked out.

Has your baby been diagnosed with failure to thrive?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

How Can I Lose Weight When Breastfeeding?

Your body went through some pretty big changes during pregnancy. It grew a whole new organ, created a baby from scratch and stretched to accommodate that growing baby. If you’ve started to dream about getting your pre-pregnancy body back, you may be wondering whether it’s safe to lose weight when breastfeeding.

As long as you lose weight healthily, and don’t restrict the healthy foods you eat, it’s perfectly safe to lose weight and get fit whilst breastfeeding. In fact, the healthier you are, the better this will be for your baby. You should wait until your baby is, at least, two months old, however, because this will allow your body enough time to build up a good milk supply.

How can I lose weight when breastfeeding?

In order to stay healthy, maintain your supply and lose some weight, you should:

  • eat healthy – don’t restrict the number of calories you eat. As a breastfeeding mother, you should continue to eat at least 1500 to 1800 calories each day, you may even need more than that. You might be surprised at just how much energy it takes to breastfeed a growing baby! Instead of restricting calories, focus instead on eating healthy foods. Cut out the junk, processed and sugary foods from your diet. Instead, reach for the fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
  • take up exercise – exercising is one of the best ways to lose weight. If you’re a new mama, going for a brisk daily walk with your baby in a sling could be all you need to shift those stubborn pounds. Or perhaps you’d prefer to try a mother and baby yoga class at your local gym? Some mamas find (slow) running, or a fast walk, to be a stress-relieving and enjoyable exercise, and you can go whenever you like so you won’t need to worry about being late for class.
  • do it gradually – losing weight too quickly could actually have a negative impact on your milk supply. It’s important to lose weight gradually whilst breastfeeding. Remember, this isn’t a quick fix. This is about getting your health back to where you want it to be, and encouraging your body back to its pre-pregnancy shape. It’s not about overnight results or unsustainable lifestyle changes.
  • do it together – invite your new mama friends to join you for a brisk walk round the park, or a pleasant afternoon stroll while your babies nap in the carrier or pram. Exercise doesn’t have to be a solitary thing. You can get your mom friends involved too.

What steps are you taking to try and lose weight when breastfeeding?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Help! I Think I Have Low Milk Supply

Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. If your baby is feeding more, you will produce more milk. If your baby starts feeding less, your breasts will reduce how much milk they produce. Many women worry about low milk supply, but most of the time, there is nothing to worry about. If your baby is gaining weight well on a diet of just breast milk, and is producing plenty of wet and dirty diapers, there’s usually nothing to worry about. If you feel concerned, however, it’s always worth chatting to your healthcare provider for reassurance.

What causes low milk supply?

A lactation consultant or breastfeeding peer supporter should be able to offer you expertise regarding your supply. The following things can sometimes contribute to low milk supply:

  • supplementation – if you are supplementing with formula, this will reduce the amount of time your baby spends at the breast. Pacifiers can have the same effect. To try and increase supply, reduce the number of bottle feeds you give to your baby.
  • nipple preference – if you’ve been bottle feeding your baby, your baby may have cottoned on to the fact that drinking from a bottle requires less effort. To breastfeed, your baby must suck to stimulate the flow of milk. With a bottle, the flow is instant. To try and encourage your baby back to the breast, try cutting down on bottle feeds.
  • sticking to schedule – if you’re feeding your baby according to a schedule, this could affect your supply. Breastfeeding on demand is one of the best ways to encourage a healthy milk supply.
  • sleepiness – if you have a sleepy baby, your baby may not be spending enough time breastfeeding each day. Be sure to wake your baby every few hours to offer feeds for the first few weeks. You may also want to try and keep your baby awake during feeds, you can do this by gently blowing on her face as she drifts off at the breast.
  • breastfeeding obstacles – improper latch, tongue tie and the use of nipple shields are just some of the things that could be restricting how much milk your baby is able to get each feed. If you think a breastfeeding barrier is to blame, make an appointment to see a lactation consultant for advice.
  • your health – your health could be impacting your milk supply. Hypothyroidism, smoking and hormonal problems could all contribute to a decreased supply.

To increase your supply, you should offer the breast frequently. You should also offer both breasts during a feed, and ensure the first breast is properly drained before offering the second. A lactation consultant is best placed to offer advice on any breastfeeding issues you may have, so make an appointment to see one as soon as possible.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.