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As many women realize after giving birth, shedding those extra pounds you packed on while you were pregnant is not so easy. In fact, the International Journal of Obesity notes that gaining more than 8 lbs. post-pregnancy is common. Unfortunately, postpartum weight gain is associated with a number of health issues. So if you find yourself gaining excessive weight after your pregnancy, remember to eat right, exercise and talk with your doctor.
Sex may be the last thing on your mind right after having your baby. However, once you begin having sex after pregnancy, using birth control will help prevent an unplanned pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic warns that sex following pregnancy requires the use of birth control, unless you want to become pregnant right away. Although breastfeeding may delay the return of your fertility for a few months, this method of preventing conception may not be effective for some women, especially beyond six months after delivery. If you just had a baby and want to wait awhile before having another, consider your birth control options.
If you're concerned about how to shed those unwanted pregnancy pounds, consider breastfeeding your baby. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a 2008 study citing mothers who had gained the recommended weight during pregnancy and then exclusively breastfed their babies for six months postpartum. Overall, these mothers measured at or below their pre-pregnancy weight.
A new baby in the family creates many changes. Not only does a mother need to adjust to nighttime feedings, a bombardment of laundry and the stress of caring for a tiny, helpless infant, she also has to tolerate the many changes her body undergoes after pregnancy. The absence of regular menstrual periods immediately after the birth of a child may offset some of the discomforts of leaking breasts and any lingering pregnancy weight. Knowing when you can become pregnant after delivering a baby can help minimize the risks of an unplanned pregnancy.
For many pregnant women who plan to breastfeed, one of the biggest concerns is, “will it hurt?” The answer is that the early weeks of breastfeeding are different for everyone. Some women might have just a little soreness, and still others will be lucky enough to not experience any discomfort! You can’t predict how your body will adjust to breastfeeding. You’ll have to wait for that first latch to find out. You can, however, gather as much information as possible so you can know what to do if you do experience some challenges in the first few days. Knowing that what you are experiencing is normal can be comforting and less isolating. Some tenderness is normal when you first begin breastfeeding. But if that turns to pain that won’t go away, adjustments should be made. Nipple soreness and pain are often cited as the main reason women discontinue breastfeeding, and many moms think that soreness just comes with the territory. But that’s not the case! Breastfeeding done right can be comfortable, and if you can believe it, even a calming, soothing experience. There are a few different things you can try to ease the discomfort.
Post-pregnancy depression is not uncommon after the birth of a baby. Approximately half of all new mothers experience some form of post pregnancy (also known as postpartum) depression. It can be quite brief and and temporary, known as the post-pregnancy "blues," but it can also be moderate or quite severe.
It's easy to go ga-ga over the thousands of adorable infant items on the shelves of baby megastores and cozy boutiques. If you're a first-time parent, it can be tempting to stock your registry with every imaginable trinket. But be sure to have a healthy balance of "wants" versus "needs." You'll also want to include gift items that cover a range of prices so your loved ones can select gifts that fit their budget.
I had an interesting talk with two moms yesterday while at my children's picture book writing group session. One of the ladies was pregnant with her first child, the other lady had a son already. All of our creative juices were flowing. We were throwing ideas back and forth, adding and editing things to the next great children's picture book, UNTIL one of the mothers said something about breast-feeding. For 15 minutes, I sat there listening to detailed and somewhat graphic explanations of the benefits to breast-feeding. I must say I learned so much in those 15 minutes with those two women! I also have to say it was somewhat fascinating, because as a "Manny" I am somewhat limited as to what I can physically provide to a baby besides a bottle of milk, if you know what I mean. This conversation I was stuck listening to was something only a mother could relate to, or so I thought. BUT, the benefits are much more than I originally thought. Let me list the benefits for you:
The arrival of a new baby is a joyous occasion. However, the excess pregnancy weight around your waist is not so joyful. Between midnight feedings, bathing, dressing and general care of a newborn, there is not much time to focus on weight loss. Don't despair. Here are some simple tips on how to lose the weight safely and easily. You will be back in those skinny jeans before you know it.
It took me a little longer than expected to write the second half (see link to first half below) of the triplets’ birth story because, frankly, getting things back to normal around here has been difficult. Here I am recovering from major surgery to remove three babies from inside me. My husband could only take a few days off work and once he went back, it was just me and my four children. I had no help, and I had four children depending on me to feed them, change them, bathe them, and provide meals and snacks. I was unbearably sore at times and experiencing emotional highs and lows from wacky hormones. I was an absolute mess. But more on that later…back to where I left off, in recovery after the c-section.
While we anxiously await our babies in the months and weeks of pregnancy, nobody wants their baby to be born too early. Every week that your baby spends in utero will give him a better chance at survival. However, babies born at 33 weeks gestation can do quite well and encounter relatively few challenges because of their early entrance into the world.
Whether you want to shed those pregnancy pounds or just want to feel better both emotionally and physically, it is important to eat a healthy post-pregnancy diet along with getting plenty of exercise. Your diet after your pregnancy should include balanced nutrition like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while also controlling the number of calories you eat. Keep in mind that a post-pregnancy diet does not mean cutting back drastically on your caloric intake. In fact, postpartum women need a minimum of 1,200 calories a day and sometimes as much as 2,200 calories a day.
Hair loss is a common human condition; it is normal to lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair daily. Women who are postpartum may see a larger loss of hair because of the hormonal changes that occur after birth. There are certain herbs, vitamins and minerals that can help with hair loss. However, as there are other reasons for hair loss, discuss this condition--and anything you take for it--with your doctor, especially if you are nursing.
Medela and Ameda both produce a variety of well-made, quality, functional breast pumps for different pumping situations. Choosing the right pump for your needs can improve your pumping output and make it easier to leave your baby the milk he needs when you cannot be with him. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each pump when you choose the one that is right for your needs.
If you're breastfeeding, it's important to know how long to nurse your child so as to get the optimal health benefit for your baby. Most current research on the health benefits of breastfeeding centers on the first six months to a year of life. After this point, the medical data on extended breastfeeding--breastfeeding beyond a year old--tapers off, and the decision to breastfeed becomes a personal one. A 2008 Australian study conducted at the University of Western Sydney on long-term breastfeeding found that mothers who ended up breastfeeding longer than two years hadn't planned to do so, but over time and with peer support they changed their minds.
Just like during your pregnancy, your body goes through many stages after the birth of your baby. In addition to sleepless nights and dirty diapers, you may find your breasts have a mind of their own, leaking at various times of the day and night. You will notice this as your breasts adjust to the process of making milk and adapt to your baby's feeding schedule. According to Baby Center, an online parenting network, some new mothers leak for a few weeks, while other mothers leak for months.
One of the hardest parts of pregnancy is the radical changes that happen to your body--gaining weight, feeling tired and having to slow down are just a few. Regaining your strength and deciding when you can go back to a more strenuous exercise program after the birth of your baby is dependent on the circumstances of your pregnancy, the birth and your overall health.
After giving birth, the general rule of thumb is to hold off on sex for 4 to 6 weeks. Giving birth takes a major physical and emotional toll on your body, so you need to give your body time to heal before any sexual penetration. Typically, your doctor will give you the okay to resume having sex during your first postnatal check-up, which takes place about 6 weeks after the birth.
Even if you keep your pregnancy weight gain under control, you may find that you're left with a post-baby belly. Some of this is loose skin; only time and genetics will help correct that. Muscle weakness and fat can also contribute to your not-so-flat tummy. Incorporate a plan for your belly into your post-partum diet and fitness regimen. While we won't promise that your life or your belly will ever be the same, you can regain a toned tummy.
As a new mother, you are aware of the health and financial benefits of breastfeeding. It is no wonder that you prefer this option to others. Unfortunately, you are now feeling as if your milk supply is low, and you may even feel like you need to supplement your breast milk with formula. This action can be damning to the entire process limiting your breast milk supply further. Luckily, the path to increase your breast milk supply is often fairly simple and short.
The sights and sounds of your new baby may bring you great joy. However, looking in the mirror might be about as appealing as changing a stinky diaper. Pregnancy can cause you to gain weight that remains with you, long after you give birth. Fortunately, diet and exercise can help your body return to a healthier state. Although you may think your figure will never be the same, making some healthy changes to your activities and your diet can help you regain your energy and lose some of the weight you gained during your pregnancy.
After your baby is born, it's time to tell the world. The easiest way to share the good news is with a birth announcement. A birth announcement that is made on a computer has the advantage of being able to be sent online or printed. Once printed, it can be mailed off to friends and loved ones, or handed out in person. You can save money by creating your own announcements, and they take less than an hour to create. You could also use a more personalized way to announce a baby's birth, when you can present the announcement in person.
A baby typically has irregular sleep patterns until he is about six-months-old. This irregular sleep pattern can be prolonged by baby's reliance on nursing to fall asleep. When you feel that it is time to wean your baby from relying on nursing as a sleep aid, there are ways to transition the baby to fall asleep with other parenting methods, as well as some self-soothing methods. Making nursing less of an option for a baby can be a difficult time for both the baby and a nursing mom, but with patience and time, your baby will learn to fall asleep without the activity.
A woman's hair is her glory, at least according to the age-old adage. If you're like most women, you spend a lot of time and money keeping your hair looking its best. During pregnancy your hair was probably the thickest, fullest you had ever seen it. Then, to your despair, you noticed it falling out in large amounts after your baby was born. You are probably desperate to find out how to stop hair loss after having a baby.
“I think there should be a worldwide law...that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months…some people here think they don’t have to breastfeed and I think, ‘Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?’” These words were quoted from supermodel Gisele Bundchen in a recent article from the UK’s version of Harper’s Bazaar. Even though this statement has been stirring up controversy ever since, does it carry some merit?
Your baby is finally here. Life couldn't be better--except for that last 10 to 20 lbs. you want to lose. After taking care of the baby all day, you may feel like there is no energy left to work on getting your pre-pregnancy shape back. Setting daily goals and sticking to them will help you achieve your goal.
Along with all the joys a new baby brings into your life, you may have the sinking realization that much of your pregnancy weight gain has managed to stay with you. Dreams of fitting into your pre-pregnancy clothes may not come true for some time after the delivery. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, you can plan to lose an average of 12 lbs. right away. The remainder of the weight may take weeks and months to disappear.
According to the Charity Guide website, umbilical cord blood donations can help treat a wide variety of serious medical conditions, including leukemia, sickle cell disease and cancers, such as lymphoma and brain cancer. Donating the umbilical cord blood of your newborn baby is painless, costs nothing and provides physicians a way to help more than 75 percent of severely ill patients who cannot be matched with a family member who has matching stem cells. The only thing required for a successful umbilical cord blood donation is planning.
If you introduce infant formula to your baby, you'll probably want to be on the alert for signs of an allergy, especially if allergies run in your--or the baby's father's--family. Most infant formula includes cow's milk or soy products in the ingredients. In cases of infant formula allergies, cow's milk protein is the most common allergen. Still, allergies to formula are not all that common; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, less than 3% of babies in the United States have an allergy to milk protein. Since half of the babies who are sensitive to cow's milk protein also turn out to react badly to soy, soy-based formula is not necessarily the solution if your baby does turn out to have a dairy allergy. Check with your baby's physician before switching to a hypoallegenic formula. It may reassure you to know that there's good chance your baby will outgrow an allergy to infant formula within a few years.
Many new mothers are anxious to begin losing the weight they gained during pregnancy after they have given birth. The nutritional needs of a new mother during the postpartum period are just as important as they are during pregnancy. Pregnancy can rob a woman's body of iron and other vital nutrients. Eating a healthy diet after pregnancy can help restore nutrients and give a new mother extra energy during the sleep-deprived early weeks of new motherhood.
