postpartum weight loss

[Zumbi]

I am very discouraged about losing weight postpartum and could use some advice and encouragement. I used to have a slender body type and my mom kept telling me that the baby weight will just come right off after birth as this is what happened to her. It is not - and in fact I've gained some weight since I've been trying to lose some and my BMI lists me as just slightly overweight. I breastfeed and solely breastfed for the first 6 months. It is now 9 months pp and I still need to lose 16 pounds. I've never had to diet before but I've been trying to decrease the amount I am eating ( I eat healthy) but it doesn't seem to be working. I've started doing zumba once a week. Can anyone give me an outline of a good way to lose this weight? What worked for you?

[lifeguard]

If you look in the breastfeeding forum you'll see a few threads on this. Some people just seem to hold on to some weight until they completely stop bfing. Just be careful not to cut back to drastically or too quickly or you may risk losing your supply.

[loveneverfails]

I never, and I mean *never*, lose the last 10 lbs or so until I'm 1 year post partum. This is my 5th baby. Give yourself more time. 16 lbs isn't that bad.

[MonP'titBoudain]

Oh mama, be gentle to yourself! I'm in the minority of women whose bodies actually gain weight while breastfeeding. For me, that means that my body will not take weight off until the baby starts to wean a bit (eating solids in a serious way). I don't lose anything significant until we nightwean (which we've done around 15-17 mos). I eat really healthily, I move a lot (walking, swimming, gardening, farming) but the weight goes nowhere. It was a huge shock for me when I had ds cause I hadn't gained all that much while pregnant. So to then not only be unable to lose that 50 lbs or so, but also gain more on top of that was discouraging to say the least.

Be cautious about eating less or dieting. 9 months pp is still pretty early and 16 lbs isn't that much to go. I'm not sure how much the BMI applies when you are nursing. I think it depends more on your own body's needs while nursing. Just keep eating well and exercising.