You just gave birth to a beautiful baby, but you still weigh many pounds.

Now you are worried and don’t know how to reduce it. You’re clueless because you’re feeding your newborn and don’t want any harm to your little munchkin.  So, dieting is out of your league at the moment. You end up asking the same question again that how can you lose weight after pregnancy?

Well, it’s possible. Yes, yes, even if you’re breastfeeding.

Let me tell you how.

You Don’t Need a Diet!

You don’t need a diet but the best and balanced diet. Why? Because strict dieting and a low-calorie diet can make weight loss more difficult. Fad diets don’t contain essential nutrients required for your and your baby’s health. Instead of following a strict diet, start cutting down on junk foods such as cakes, cookies, sweets, soda, and fast food, such as pizza and burgers. It’s time to say goodbye to MacDonald’s and KFC.

Eat Energy-Rich Foods

Easily available food and instant food may seem appealing. However, you are in dire need of nutrition during your postpartum time. Especially when you are breastfeeding your baby. Eat meat, skinless chicken, and pulses, which are high in protein. You also need calcium, which can be obtained from milk, yogurt, and cheese. Fish is also a high-energy option that includes DHA – an omega 3 fatty acid good for your baby’s brain development.

Eat Lighter

A light but a healthy diet is better for you. Avoid sugary, oily, and fatty foods. Soft drinks, candies, chocolates, and chips will only give you extra calories instead of micronutrients. Eat fresh fruits instead to minimize your cravings. Have healthy snacks ready whenever you breastfeed your baby—for example, mixed fruits, veggie salad, chicken salads, fresh juices, etc.

You know that breast milk is healthy for your baby. Breastfeeding can also help you lose postpartum weight. Moms burn about 500 extra calories a day while producing breast milk, leading to faster weight loss after birth.

Drink Enough Water!

Make it a habit to drink plenty of water every day. Sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate between thirst and hunger. If you drink water first, you will feel full. It is also important because if you are dehydrated, your body will not burn more calories.

Water is extremely important for milk production as well, though excessive amounts of water are not necessary. Breastfeeding women should drink enough to stay properly hydrated throughout the day. 

Stay Active!

You don’t have to go to the gym to stay active. Just put your baby in the pram and take her for a walk in the fresh air. Watching people around and the change of environment will help you to reduce stress. Exercise will strengthen your body and give you energy for the rest of the day.

Start a light workout and gradually increase it, at least five days a week. However, you must consult with your doctor before starting any physical activity.

Have a Good Night’s Sleep

I know this is the most difficult thing with a newborn. You will feel tired and irritated most of the time. But there’s a way you can improve this situation. Because 7 hours of sleep is a must for good functionality of mind and body. Moreover, if you don’t get enough sleep, there is a good chance that you will start gaining weight.

According to a study by the American Thoracic Society, new mothers who slept five hours or less lost less weight than those who slept at least seven hours. Spend your child’s bedtime in activities such as bathing, reading, etc. Go to bed with your baby at the same time every night to build a routine. Soon the baby will learn that going to bed means sleeping.

Eat Smaller Meals – Portion Control

Eating in smaller portions (at least 5 times a day) will keep you full for a longer time and gives you energy throughout the day. Skipping meals and saying it a diet is a fool’s act.

Don’t skip meals in the name of the diet, especially breakfast. If you do this, you may feel hungrier. Cravings will soon overcome you, and you will go for more fatty foods later that day. Having meals more frequently keeps your metabolism active; hence your body burns more calories.

Be Patient!

Set realistic goals. For example, set a goal to lose one pound a week. It took 9 months to gain so much weight; it will take at least half of it to lose it. So, have a little patience and don’t overstress yourself. Remember, stress is also a factor in not losing weight fast.

So, these were some tips to lose postpartum weight. Try and tell me what results you got.

Do you have some of your own tips that helped you lose weight after having a cute baby? Must share it below in the comments section.