05/16/2016
How Much Weight Should You Lose Six Weeks After a Baby?
After watching your body swell and change shape over the nine months of pregnancy, you are probably eager to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. But the rate of postpartum weight loss varies from one individual to the next, with some mothers regaining their normal body weight quickly, while others struggle for months. Exercise and nutrition before, during and after pregnancy, the type of delivery you had, and whether or not you choose to breastfeed can all play a role in determining your weight loss recovery rate.
Re-Size Through Exercise
Physical activity before, during and after pregnancy can have a profound effect on how much weight you gain -- and how quickly you lose it. If you were physically active prior to and during your pregnancy, you will be able to gradually resume your fitness regimen as soon as it is physically and medically safe, which is sometimes within days after delivery. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that returning to physical activity after pregnancy is associated with accelerated weight loss and a decreased incidence of postpartum depression.
Nutrition Matters
The amount and types of food you eat play a significant role in your rate of postpartum weight loss. After the baby is born, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends reducing your daily caloric intake by 500 calories to achieve a weight loss of about one pound per week. The University of Rochester Medical Center recommends eating a variety of foods, including lots of vegetables, fruits and proteins. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily if you are not breastfeeding, and if you are, drink 12-14 glasses each day.
Special Delivery
For a healthy new mother who had a vaginal delivery, it takes about six weeks to fully recover from pregnancy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. At that point, you should have lost about half your excess weight by then. The rest of your weight should be shed by the end of the sixth month. If you had a Caesarean section or other complications during childbirth, your healing and recovery time could be delayed. This may result in a slower return to physical activity and a reduced rate of weight loss.
Breast is Best
Breastfeeding accelerates the rate of weight loss after baby because you burn a lot of calories producing milk. A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition projected that mothers who exclusively nursed their babies for six months could expect to return to pre-pregnancy body weight by six months postpartum. According to La Leche League International, breastfeeding burns an additional 500 to 600 calories per day, which translates to about a pound of weight loss per week. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that moderate weight reduction while breastfeeding is safe and does not interfere with the weight gain of your newborn.
