I get a lot of questions about how I lost my postpartum belly so quickly after childbirth and I have hesitated in sharing my journey because the first thing to know is everyone’s body is different and what worked for me may not work for you.
Having said that, I also know my tips may help someone somewhere and that’s all the motivation I need to write this article.
If you read this post, it details all that happened after childbirth. You can also find my labour and delivery story here.
Postpartum Belly – 7 Tips for losing Post Baby Belly
1. Before Pregnancy and while Pregnant remain active.
This is the main reason why my postpartum belly disappeared as fast as it did and this is the honest truth. Every other point in this post supplements this.
I made sure to remain active before and while I was pregnant. That way your body creates muscle memory and when you have to return to shape, it will be easier.
2. Post Baby Exercises (Postpartum Belly)
I could not do any cardio or any aggressive type of workout routines until a year after childbirth. My hips were ‘open’ and any sudden movements would leave me screaming with lower back pain. So instead I did the following.
- Swimming
Swimming saved my whole body. I would swim 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes to an hour and my body would not feel strained as it would if I tried to do cardio.
2. Walking
With my Fitbit Charge 3, I was able to walk an average of 5,000 steps every day. On some days I would average 12,000 steps!
Seeing this always kept me motivated to keep going.
3. Belly Binders
24hours after childbirth, I tried using a wrapper to tie my belly down and it was so uncomfortable I took it off a few minutes after.
It is one thing to have stitches, bleeding and be managing a whirlwind of emotions and then you want to add suffocation? Nope. Not today. Not ever, so I opted out.
Luckily, I had ordered this belly binder online from Jumia before childbirth so I used it for the first couple of days and it was comfortable enough to sleep in and hold my postpartum belly firmly. I saw results quickly as my belly looked reasonably flat and firm as opposed to right after childbirth where it was wobbly and looked 6 months pregnant 🤰🏾.
However, this belly binder was made with cheap material so it stopped giving the firm hold I experienced after only a week of use.
Do I recommend it?
I would say no because I later found better belly binders that were more breathable and firm. Like this one for example.
4. Eat Protein
I ate protein such as beef, chicken, and fish and reduced my intake of carbs. This was not easy, as I always wanted to eat more because I chose to breastfeed exclusively.
5. Eat Meals that Boost Your Metabolism
I know in this video I made jokes about having to eat the same meal prepared differently for a month but it was this ‘Ji mmiri oku’ (Hot Yam Soup) that helped kick up my metabolism. You need meals that will give you energy but also digest quickly.
6. Think Positive
Your mental health matters more than you know after childbirth. Being a new mother or adding another child to the family can be quite overwhelming mentally, physically and even spiritually! You have to keep your thoughts positive as much as you can, especially to avoid postpartum depression. It is very real.
7. Get Support
It is easy for me to say think positive but what if you are doing everything by yourself?
Being stressed is one of the leading reasons many women let themselves go because naturally, we tend to put others first. We neglect to care for ourselves and before you know you it, you have gained more weight.
Get good help when you can.
I still to this day, thank God for my mother. Without her, I really do not know what I would have done.
In conclusion, being a mother is a blessing.
Take your time and don’t worry too much about your post-baby belly. Remember it took 9 months for your belly to grow big so it might take as long if not longer to get it back to shape. Don’t fret. As long as you’re committed your abs will be back.
In the meantime, enjoy your newborn because they grow so fast!
You can find more tips to help you here.
Do you have tips to share from your experiences? Please write in the comment section below.
