Can’t Fit Into Those Size 2 Jeans?

What’s the first question new moms want to know—besides do I breast feed or bottle feed? Some of you feel guilty even thinking the question.  You may feel that all your attention should be focused on baby.  Well, I’m going to ask that question.  “How long will it take me to lose that ‘baby’ fat?”  And if you’re honest, you’re also worrying about just how much of the 50+ pounds are your own jelly belly weight?  Even by my calculations, no baby alive was ever born weighing 50 pounds!  That’s a frightening thought because you know, deep down, that 50 - a 9 pound baby, still leaves 41 pounds left to lose! 

But wait! If you pick up any of those fancy baby or parenting magazines, they will tell you –“10 Easy Ways to Shed That Baby Weight”.  Sounds like shedding is the operative word. If you could “shed” those pounds like a snake sheds its skins, you wouldn’t need to worry! But it seems the older you are, and the fact that your hormones are raging, and the baby is nursing, and you just can’t get to the gym at 6AM—since you’re breast feeding at that time, and bonus, you’re also getting ready to feed again. It seems that baby is an eating machine.  So how can it be easy to shed that baby weight?

And for goodness sake, do not read Cosmo or Marie Clare, or Glamour just yet.  Doesn’t it seem like the Celebs, all the Hollywood starlets, don’t miss a beat in shedding that weight?  They float effortlessly on the cover of the most glamorous magazines—two months after baby is born—shedding all their baby weight and more.  If they can shed the weight so can you, right?  Well, answer these questions:  Where is your personal Nanny for baby?  What about that personal cook who is preparing three luscious meals a day –all under 550 calories?  What about that home gym where you work out three hours a day with a personal trainer?  And the massages scheduled every day to ease the stress of baby’s needs?  And the personal shopper that brings outfits to your home so that you can bond with your baby yet still look chic?  If this idea of shedding the pounds appeals to you—forget about it!  That’s going to break the bank, and probably, you will not be any happier (I’m just kidding here)! 

Instead, take a deep breathe, and take all the full length mirrors down, or at least turn them around so that you can legitimately not feel guilty about the baby weight gain.  It takes about a year to shed the weight.  Some women lose slower than others.  Don’t beat yourself up.  Remember, your infant will only be this adorable and tiny once. So make sure you have a rocker in your bedroom or in baby’s room and spend as much time as possible bonding, singing to baby and telling him how much you love him.  Also, baby massage will relax both you and your baby.  Especially when done after a warm bath—yours or his—and remember that touch is the cornerstone of bonding! This is your time to understand what that little bundle is all about.  Their cute traits and quirky little moves should be the thrill of your days!  Nights too, if your child has days and nights mixed up—but that’s another story. 




Tip:  The weight will come off, but be kind and loving to yourself.  Society pressures us to bounce back too quickly, to stress about looks before we (or baby) are ready.  Your body will tell you how much you can do.  The first month, be careful to pay attention to the joy of motherhood and do not listen or read anything which tells you otherwise.  When your strength returns, you will know, and you can resume activities and dieting.  But until then reach for those pregnancy pants—you know, the ones with the elastic bands which are forgiving and comfortable.  You’ll be back in the game before you can blink—but baby’s days with mom are limited, so enjoy them!