Most women are super keen, if not slightly anxious about losing baby weight as quickly as possible after the birth of their baby. Maybe this has something to do with getting back into skinny jeans, your favourite 2 piece, or maybe just to feel a little bit more like your pre-baby self…..

You didn’t gain the baby weight within a week or 2……it took literally 9 months for your body to evolve into the masterpiece it was that delivered a healthy baby to term. So, it’s impossible to consider that you can erase all of these changes within weeks. In saying that, breastfeeding is a real sport that burns additional calories in the body, and it can be a powerful tool to lose excess baby weight.

The great news is… Fat cells stored whilst pregnant can be burned off through breastfeeding¹; Hooray!! There are a number of ways to support your body, and your baby’s body whilst breastfeeding, and as an added bonus; help to shift some of the extra baby weight. Here are some of the top tips I share with clients:

Whatever birth you had, allow yourself the time to heal

Give yourself a break – you’re not The Duchess of Cambridge and there’s no need to look like you’ve just left the health spa, not the birthing suite in the hours, days and weeks post-partum. Take the pressure off yourself to squeeze back into anything by any calendar date!

Regardless of whatever birth you had, or what trauma you experienced, your body went through an incredible strain simply maintaining a pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby.  Now is not the time to deprive the body or push it more than it wants to, in order to get back to rigorous exercise.

Remember quality over quantity

Dieting is never recommended for breastfeeding Mums, however there are some nutrients that babies will get exclusively from Mum. Basically, if Mum’s intake is too low, baby will miss out too.

Naturobest provides a premium multi formulation that contains potent levels of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5, iodine, zinc and vitamin D. Not all nutrients, and not all supplements are created equal. So it’s essential to source a supplement that contains high quality, bioavailable nutrients. Naturobest is packed with easily absorbed forms of high-quality minerals magnesium citrate and iron bisglycinate for this very reason.

Protein

Good quality protein can be a secret weapon for Mums when tackling postpartum weight loss. Protein powder, and the amino acids it contains, can help to rebuild, repair and regenerate the body post birth and during breastfeeding.

A lot of Mums I speak with are confused as to whether protein powders are safe whilst breastfeeding. Generally, they are safe – however; care needs to be taken as many protein powders have added sweeteners, preservatives and even artificial flavours which are no good for anyone, especially passed on through breastmilk to baby. Additionally, some protein powders and products are specifically designed for sportspeople, and not breastfeeding women. Plus, they may contain added caffeine, ginseng, concentrated extract of green tea and/or guarana.

Happy Way Protein Powders are 100% natural and bursting with minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants such as acai and maqui berry. They are completely free of nasties and genetically modified ingredients, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and flavours.

Bone broths

A lot of fluid is lost during both vaginal and C-section births, and breastmilk production requires further hydration. Bone broth is a nutrient dense, easy to digest and hydrating super food for a new Mum’s body.

Nourishing and warm foods such as bone broth are an important part of recovery. All of the organs in your body are going through a massive shift and digestion is often compromised. Bone broth will help to support digestion and help to restore the ‘qi’, life force or energy levels for women. Bone broth is packed full of minerals that are easily recognised and absorbed by the body. My favourites are from Nutra Organics.

References:

1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000603.htm