Everyone should read this book ~ I SO wish I had read the FIRST time instead of a few months after my second baby. So much damage had been done by then. Oh well! First time moms, if you want to keep your strong abdominal core, you need this information. Experienced moms, if you want to regain your abdominal strength and tone, you need this information!
First off, it is so important not to babywear without a splint to support your abdominal muscles, unless you have really really strong and great tone in that area postpartum. The only people I know who had that kind of fitness level postpartum were a couple of very athletic, very toned yoga instructors. You can tell if you have this kind of level of physical fitness because your belly will be relatively small and toned throughout pregnancy and your labor will be teeny tiny short and pretty much painless. (Wish I was a yoga instructor!
)
A splint can be made from any stretchy jersey fabric, even a ring sling, or a small-sized elastic maternity support belt. Also known as belly-binding, this is an age-old tradition that can be traced in many (most?) cultures, but has been lost in modern times.
You will also need to do the right kinds of exercise to get your srength back. Many gentle holistic exercises are great for restoring core strength, such as yoga and bellydancing, and of course, walking or jogging with the proper belly support and posture. (Posture is critical!) Pilates should be avoided, though, as should any modern kind of workout that utilizes crunches, sit-ups, and crunch-like moves. These will actually weaken your abdonimal core (the Mummy Tummy book explains why and how.) I find that the traditional exercise modalities are generally the safest.
The Mummy Tummy author has also produced an educational and workout DVD which I think I will probably buy this time. I've never seen it, though. But all of the same info is in the book so the DVD is not neccesary, it's just nice if you're more visual I guess.
Here is a link to a review of the Mummy Tummy book: http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.c...mmy-tummy.html
Oh, she also has a special section on post C-section care.
First off, it is so important not to babywear without a splint to support your abdominal muscles, unless you have really really strong and great tone in that area postpartum. The only people I know who had that kind of fitness level postpartum were a couple of very athletic, very toned yoga instructors. You can tell if you have this kind of level of physical fitness because your belly will be relatively small and toned throughout pregnancy and your labor will be teeny tiny short and pretty much painless. (Wish I was a yoga instructor!
)A splint can be made from any stretchy jersey fabric, even a ring sling, or a small-sized elastic maternity support belt. Also known as belly-binding, this is an age-old tradition that can be traced in many (most?) cultures, but has been lost in modern times.
You will also need to do the right kinds of exercise to get your srength back. Many gentle holistic exercises are great for restoring core strength, such as yoga and bellydancing, and of course, walking or jogging with the proper belly support and posture. (Posture is critical!) Pilates should be avoided, though, as should any modern kind of workout that utilizes crunches, sit-ups, and crunch-like moves. These will actually weaken your abdonimal core (the Mummy Tummy book explains why and how.) I find that the traditional exercise modalities are generally the safest.
The Mummy Tummy author has also produced an educational and workout DVD which I think I will probably buy this time. I've never seen it, though. But all of the same info is in the book so the DVD is not neccesary, it's just nice if you're more visual I guess.
Here is a link to a review of the Mummy Tummy book: http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.c...mmy-tummy.html
Oh, she also has a special section on post C-section care.
Last time I think focusing on good posture throughout the day and exercising when I could worked fine to get my core strength back to where it had been before-- it just took a little longer [ETA: over a year!]. I think that was largely because I didn't splint, though. It's really hard to have good posture when you are babywearing and not splinting-- probably impossible. This time I will splint (also known as belly binding) and I think that will make a big difference. I think belly binding right from the beginning, and focusing on proper posture right from the beginning (like not jack-knifing up out of the bed while holding your baby! 
and also bending at the knees to pick up your baby, instead of bending at the waist-- and so forth) and then working some sensible amount of exercise into your day as you can, oh, and eating a healthy diet that is rich in protein to support muscle regrowth, is PLENTY to get you back to healthy. Of course, the more you can exercise regularly the quicker you can get your core strength back, but honestly I think the belly support (binding) and the consistent focus on posture and healthy diet are more important.
but excited to be trimming down!!! 
Your stories of fitting into XS belly bandits gives me hope! 
Heinz, when did you give birth again?
