As any new mom will testify, there are all sorts of questions that need answering. The fact that the baby market is so huge is probably testament to this!
However, today’s article isn’t going to look at how many times your little one should be waking up in the night, or when the best time to finish breastfeeding. Instead, today’s article is about you, and tackling some of the common questions regarding your post-baby bump.
When does your belly return to normal?
If you don’t go for a tummy tuck, or another one of the more recent plastic surgery procedures, there really isn’t an answer to this first question. The issue that a lot of new mothers struggle to cope with is the fact that so many celebrities seem to get their pre-baby body back in an instant – but this is massively distorting the situation.
Let’s not forget that it took nine months for your body to change, so it could very well take this amount of time for it to change back. Plenty of variables will impact this, such as your original shape and how active you previously were. However, don’t for an instant think that this is going to happen in weeks – unless you make it your full-time occupation it won’t.
Why do my tummy muscles feel slack?
If this happens to you, it’s something you need to keep on top of. Generally, it involves a bulge developing on your tummy, and it happens because of your abdominal muscles overstretching.
The medical term is rectus abdominis diastasis and there are many risk factors that can cause this, including having twins, a larger baby or if you have a narrow pelvis.
If you do think you may have this, you will need to see a GP who will recommend various exercises to help you recover.
What are the best ways to reduce your post-baby body?
As we have already mentioned, getting back to your old body is easier said than done. The best way to accelerate the process is to tap into exercise, in a simple bid to tone muscles and burn extra calories. Of course, if you opt for this approach, make sure that you don’t overdo it during the first six weeks.
Pelvic floor exercises are another recommended option and can again help your body return to the shape that it once was.
What are the safest methods for shrinking your post-baby tummy?
As we have just mentioned, there are some safety concerns as you look to revert back to your “old body”. One of these is that exercising too soon can be detrimental to your health, so for those of you who want to start with an exercise-free approach there are steps you can take.
One of these is breastfeeding. It is preached from the rooftops for the health of your baby, but in terms of your own body it can help to burn as many as 500 calories per day. Of course, this isn’t the reason you should be doing it, but it is worth being aware of.
In terms of your diet, make sure you resist the urge to under eat. This is a period in life where you need maximum energy supplies – and let’s not forget that if you are breastfeeding your baby will also need adequate nutrition via this source.