For my first two children I just couldn’t get the weight on, it wasn’t because I wasn’t trying but I had severe morning sickness. My third and fourth children were a whole different matter, in fact I gained a lot. The doctor was happy and the baby was happy. In the end when I look at the four different pregnancies I felt better when I added the weight on, instead of when I was lacking it. More weight for me somehow meant less morning sickness.

However the time would come when the baby would be delivered and I’d be left with the blessing of the weight I put on for the baby and he/she didn’t want to take with them. You know what I mean, the “extra” baby weight that was leftover. Many would ask why I tried so hard to lose it with the first two, forgetting I never had it in the first place. But with baby #3 & 4 people would ask when I was going to try dieting.

I never was concerned about dieting, I looked at it as having a child and being part of mother hood. However I know many others don’t feel like this, they want to diet as soon as possible. Doctors suggest not to diet while breastfeeding, course I breastfed for long periods of time. Myth or fact, breastfeeding helped reduce the weight with baby 1 & 2 but not with baby 3 or 4. How about you?

Is it fact or fiction? (myth) I won’t say true or false as each scenario worked one way or the other with me. Celebrities today rush to lose the baby weight, I guess because all the media attention. For instance look how fast Katie Holmes lost her weight after having baby Suri. But Jennifer Lopez has recently stated to People Magazine:

“I don’t weigh myself a lot. I still have 10 pounds, or so. (But) I don’t have any problems with it. I never felt I had to get rid of it.”

How do you feel when it comes to losing or gaining the baby weight? Is it healthy to lose it really quick? Or is it unhealthy? Does it bug you to have the Baby fat?

Post from: Babylune

A full nights’ sleep can help you lose 11 pounds (5kg).

Or, if your six month-old baby still isn’t sleeping through the night, that’s how much “baby weight” you’re likely to be holding onto at the baby’s first birthday party.

Mothers of six month-olds who say they get less than five hours sleep were three times more likely to keep significant amounts of baby weight on than mothers who get more than seven hours sleep per night says a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study’s authors say it is the first to look at the relationship between sleep deprivation on mothers’ failure to lose weight during the postpartum phase, although other studies have linked lack of sleep to weight gain in the general population.

“We’ve known for some time that sleep deprivation is associated with weight gain and obesity in the general population, but this study shows that getting enough sleep – even just two hours more – may be as important as a healthy diet and exercise for new mothers to return to their pre-pregnancy weight,” said lead author Erica P. Gunderson, PhD.

The study authors remind us that sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. It might cause hormonal changes that stimulate the appetite and make us over eat. Not getting enough sleep has not only been linked to obesity, but to coronary artery disease and diabetes too. Isn’t that great to know?
Now, how to get more sleep and protect our collective health?

Aside from the adage of sleep when the baby sleeps, I have no idea. I’ve been going to bed earlier and earlier. I have no adult time, so I am not sure it’s a great tip. I also find that just shutting myself away for an entire morning on one weekend day helps me. I’ve used the No Cry Sleep Solution with great success with my son and rather mixed results with my daughter.

Do you have any hints for getting more sleep?

Post from: Babylune

Post from: Babylune

Sometimes putting off discovery of the truth is a good idea.

Post from: Babylune

Post from: Babylune

Post from: Babylune

5. Every new mother (or about to pop mother) needs the long list of discomforts as an easy reference to what happens to your body after giving birth.
4. The Eighth Heathy & Fit Family Carnival helped everyone’s year start out healthier.

3. Babylune’s Birthday Celebration Post, made the month a happy one.

2. Recovering from a C-Section does make for some special care.

1. Sex + Mother is still the most popular search term I’ve got listed. The post about losing your libido is #1.

Post from: Babylune

For those of you who are desperate to lose the “baby weight” after pregnancy, don’t go too low fat too soon. Don’t begrudge yourself every spoonful of olive, sunflower or sesame oil when cooking or serving food.

Not only does “good” fat give food a lot of nice flavour, but according to a study reported in this week’s issue of Maclean’s Magazine, it may not be the healthiest choice.

“Low fat is not necessarily optimal,” Peter Jones, director of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba, told the magazine. “Before, we felt low-fat was a good approach to heart health. That has been the mantra. Now we are admitting to ourselves that it is OK to dole out fat as long as it is the right fat.” The right fat, says Jones, includes olive oil, with its high content of oleic acid.

So, while your lunchtime salad is a healthy choice, don’t feel you have to go without oil and vinegar. Not only will you enjoy your food more, but you’ll help protect your mothering heart too.

Post from: Babylune

We are just back from a little side trip to Chiflik here in Bulgaria with my sister-in-law and her family. We swam every day in mineral water-filled swimming pools (including at the one pictured at the Hotel Diva although we didn’t stay there this time) much to the delight of babies, children, dad and mothers.

Swimming, more like bobbing along, with a baby hardly feels like heavy-evercise, but I find my thighs and arms are incredibly firmer after this little break. 

Do you think it was the swimming or the mild 1km walks we took in the stunning Central Balkan National Park?

Either way, I finally feel like I am making progress in losing the baby weight. The baby is already 7 months-old.

Post from: Babylune

The piece outlines eleven tips for mothers to gain the most benefit by making little changes and if you have time, you should take a look at the full text. I’ve quoted Neblett’s tips, but summarized her point in describing each of them. The links refer to other articles we’ve already discussed that deal with the same study.
1. Set goals. Figure out what you want to achieve before you start a new exercise routine.

2. Be Selective. Choose activitie you have fun doing.

3. Build your level slowly. No matter how quickly you want to see results, patience is needed. Don’t over do it and risk hurting yourself.

4. Make a date. Plan exercise into your routine and stick to it.

5. Get the right gear. Use the correct equipment in the right way.

6. Don’t skip meals. You need food energy in order to work your body properly.

7. Condition your core. Get to the abs and lower back to hold yourself upright.

8. Sidestep being Sidelined. Avoid injuries.

9. Pump some iron. Lifting weights prevents long term weight gain.

10. Do the group thing. Friends who exercise together have more fun and keep each other accountable.

11. Don’t blame your budget. There are plenty of kinds of free exercise.

Post from: Babylune