Postpartum Weight Loss: Safe Strategies After 6 Weeks

For the women who gain weight during pregnancy, losing the baby weight postpartum is often a high priority. According to Peter J. Chen, doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, women should not make an active attempt to lose weight until six weeks postpartum. By this time, Dr. Chen says, most women should have lost half of their baby weight. Women should address the remainder of this weight with a regimen of healthy eating and exercise.

Instructions

• 1

  Adapt to a healthy diet immediately after delivery. Busy moms may find it challenging to stick to the food pyramid while tending to a newborn, but at the very least they should cut out sugary and high-fat snacks.

• 2

  Breastfeed, if possible. Breastfeeding burns a large amount of calories, about 600 per day. For this reason, the La Leche League recommends breastfeeding mothers consume between 1,500 and 1,800 calories a day.

• 3

  Begin a regimen of light walking two weeks postpartum. A woman's body is not fully healed until six weeks postpartum, so she should stick to light walking until that time. Walking the baby around in a stroller or baby sling is a great way to get light exercise and fresh air.

• 4

  Follow the recommended diet plan in the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Pyramid. Use the MyPyramid Plan tool available on the USDA website to determine what kinds of foods you should eat each day. Input your age, height and weight, and choose the menu that helps "gradually move toward a healthier weight."

• 5

  Begin a moderate exercise regimen at six weeks postpartum. If you belong to a health center, La Leche League, or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, ask if they offer any exercise programs for new mothers.

• 6

  Ask for support from your spouse and family. Following a diet and exercise regimen, you should lose your baby weight by six months postpartum. If you struggle to find time to cook healthy meals and exercise, ask your loved ones for help.