Let's start by looking at the expected postpartum weight loss timeline and why the weight is lost over time. You should expect to lose about 1.5 pounds per week on average in the first weeks after giving birth, but there are different reasons for the loss each week.
So all in all, it's not uncommon to lose up to 20 pounds in the first few weeks postpartum. Of course, every woman is different and some may find they lose weight faster while others may take longer. It also depends on how much weight you gained during pregnancy.
Sometimes, postpartum weight can be incredibly stubborn. If it's harder to lose baby weight than you expected, there may be several reasons for this, including sleep issues, breastfeeding, and hormone imbalances.
At the 3 week postpartum mark, you can expect to still look somewhat pregnant, and will probably be most comfortable in your maternity clothes or other loose outfits. It takes approximately 6 weeks for your abdominal wall to regain muscle tone after giving birth.
If breastfeeding alone isn't enough to help you return to your old weight, experts agree that it's safe to adjust your food intake and exercise to try to lose up to 1 ½ pounds per week. But steer clear of crash diets that promise faster weight loss — they could affect how much milk you produce.
Let's start by looking at the expected postpartum weight loss timeline and why the weight is lost over time. You should expect to lose about 1.5 pounds per week on average in the first weeks after giving birth, but there are different reasons for the loss each week.
Often, excess or rapid postpartum weight loss is due to lifestyle issues and the pressures of new parenthood (like being too tired to eat), other times there may be a health concern that needs treatment. Either way, help is out there. So, if you're worried about losing too much weight, contact your doctor.
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), most doctors advise not to put anything in the vagina—including toys, fingers, and penises—for six weeks. Waiting this long allows for healing and reduces the risk of complications.
1 Week Postpartum. The first week postpartum is the most intensive in terms of adjustment and recovery. You have just given birth, are taking care of a newborn, and may have experienced vaginal or perineum tearing (and stitches) or other delivery complications.
You gain weight over 9+ months of pregnancy, so it's normal to take 9+ months to get back your pre-pregnancy body after your baby is born. However, a belly bulge that doesn't go away for months after delivery can be a sign of diastasis recti—a separation of your abdominal muscles.
The uterus starts shrinking within minutes of giving birth, but it takes about six weeks to fully return to its previous size. If you're concerned that your uterus is not shrinking after pregnancy or you still look pregnant after the two-month mark, speak to your doctor or your local pelvic floor physiotherapist.
It takes time for your body to fully recover from pregnancy. Your postpartum belly won't instantly go back to how it was before you were pregnant – it's a process that can take months or even years, while some bellies may take on a different shape permanently.
People often lose around 10 pounds straight after birth and a bit more in the first week after childbirth. After that, breastfeeding may help people lose weight. People who exclusively breastfeed may use 400–500 calories daily to produce the milk a baby requires from 0 to 6 months.
On average, exclusively breastfeeding mothers may see a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per month. For those struggling to lose those extra pregnancy pounds, breastfeeding isn't the answer. Instead, the focus should be on a healthy diet and exercise.
Many health care providers recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth to give your body time to heal before you have sex. When you're ready for sex, be careful – you can get pregnant even before your period starts. This is because you may ovulate (release an egg) before you get your period again.
For the first six to 12 weeks after baby, advises Cunningham, stick to gentle postpartum stretching—nothing too wide or drastic. She recommends side-to-side neck stretches, bending over to touch your toes, and activation exercises like belly or diaphragmatic breathing that will help your core come back together.
After two weeks, it will be back inside your pelvis. By about four weeks, it should be close to its pre-pregnancy size. This process is called involution of the uterus. Even after your uterus shrinks back to its normal size, you may continue to look pregnant for several weeks or even months.
If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it.
Second Night Syndrome
Generally occurs about 24 hours after birth for almost every baby. Your baby will want to be on the breast constantly but quickly fall asleep. If you put him down, he will probably wake up. If you put him back to breast, he will feed for a short time and fall asleep.
But there are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. In fact, if the weather is nice, you should feel free to take your baby outside whenever you feel up to it — you both would both probably enjoy a stroll outside and some fresh air!
In the first 2 to 3 months postpartum, several authors19–21 have found that formula-feeding mothers consumed 600 to 800 fewer calories than breast-feeding mothers and lost substantially more weight. From 3 to 6 months post-partum, however, weight loss among breast-feeding women increased substantially.
Set realistic weight-loss goals
Losing weight safely — about one pound per week — means that it takes most new moms between six months to a year to return to pre-pregnancy weight. "Half of that weight is typically lost in the first six weeks after delivery," says Dr. Borchardt.
On average, exclusively breastfeeding mothers may see a loss of 1-2 pounds a month and over time, breastfeeding moms tend to lose more weight than mothers who do not breastfeed (Dewey, Heinig & Nommsen, 1993).