Apologies in advance if this seems trivial considering everything people are going through on this forum....but this is stressing me out postpartum....
I have gained a considerable amount of weight during this pregnancy and after 9 weeks postpartum I have not lost anything. I have lost all my confidence and have started to decline invitations to socialise....
I am breastfeeding but it is making no difference, and a diet isn't really an option is it? If I am trying to maintain a good milk supply?
Did anyone have this issue after cyclogest? I also took Letrozole meds to conceive...
If it was a friend writing this message I would say - 'your body has just delivered a baby! Be patient' but cannot seem to take this advice on board myself.....
Oh goodness 9 weeks is nothing. Please be kind to yourself, it took 9 long months to gain the weight, it will take a while for your body to recover.
Not sure if this is everyone or just me, but my body feels a whole new shape vs pre-baby me. Not necessarily bigger, but my clothes don’t all fit in the same way as before.
9 weeks is still so early but I definitely feel you (I’m 6 months pp). I was so unhappy (and still am), especially when I see people who have had babies more recent than me who seem to have lost their baby weight. It doesn’t help when my 3 year old squishes my belly and tells me it’s big and that there’s a baby in there 😂
I have actually started calorie counting, not in the strict sense to diet and not religiously but just to try and be more aware of what I’m eating, like do I really need to eat 5+ Reese’s peanut butter cups in one go?? And do you know how many calories are in a Dominoes pizza?! The other night my husband was out for the night and I was going to order pizza but when I saw how much was in them I made myself some chicken, rice and veg from the house and felt much better for it.
I’ve lost almost half a stone in 2 weeks. Like you said, you definitely don’t want to diet at this stage but maybe if you’re like me a bit more conscious eating will help?
Going out for plenty of walks with the baby will also be good (if you’re up for it), the little bit of exercise will obviously help but the nice fresh air will also help with your well-being 😊
But honestly, there is still plenty of time - it’s a marathon not a sprint xx
and don’t forget you still deserve the bad stuff too! Maybe just not all the time. Good luck with your journey and hope you start to feel more like yourself soon. It’s so hard, and only us new mums can relate xx
Congratulations on your new baby. 9 weeks really is no time! I can completely understand what you are going through!! I had exactly the same feelings about my weight gain and was anxious to lose it, but I was scared I would be stuck with it. I would also beat myself up for thinking like this. But I think we can be so thankful for a healthy baby but we’re also only human and our lives have changed massively. It’s a big adjustment, so at the same time we are allowed to feel a bit scared and anxious by these changes. As long as we can find balance with the positives of course. And yes, some people have a much harder time and it’s good that you consider this.
Anyway, I thought I’d share my experience because I was so so so down and didn’t want to go to any social events and just didn’t feel happy in myself. I thought I wouldn’t ever be happy again in my body. I have actually lost all the baby weight but it took just a little over a year and now I feel like my old self. I breastfed too. I tried hard to stay positive, easier said than done I know.
Give your body time, it won’t change over night. There will always be healthier ways to lose the weight available in the future, when you have more time and energy. You’ll find that the weight drops off over time. Perhaps for now try to embrace your body and find ways you can feel happier in it. I discovered some flattering ways I could dress that made me feel more comfortable with how I looked. I also changed my hair. I also tried hard to focus on staying healthy, for me and my baby.
I will admit I felt massively relieved when I realised I was losing the weight.
I can’t comment on the meds however as I didn’t take these. So all I can suggest from what I know is to give your body time to adjust, and be patient. I won’t say don’t dwell on it, because each day I did, but maybe have a moment to dwell then distract and learn how to let it go each time you find yourself thinking about it.
9 weeks is waaaaaay too early. You have no idea how early that is. Give it 6 months and you'll be back in your slim jeans like before. Trust me, first hand experience
I’m at 7 months postpartum and I’m back at my max pregnancy weight nearly. I lost a stone in three weeks but then put it all on again. Chocolate and wine mostly. Can’t breast feed. I’m on exemestane not letrozole but same kind of thing, that doesn’t help.
hello, aw please be gentle to yourself. Like everyone has said, 9 weeks is so early still! It will happen and Gradually (not like these celebs and their immediate SnapBack!) particularly if breastfeeding, I found the same, it’s hard to lose weight because you’re trying to maintain supply etc. and tbh with lack of sleep and up in the night, you just need energy where you can get it!!
I found that I started to lose weight when I started doing walks with my son from around 3.5 months (I really struggled to get out the house before then because I was literally a milking cow to him?! 😂) but I found the walks helped shift the weight much quicker (and helps them nap - win win!) and I didn’t shift my diet too much either.
Don’t give yourself a hard time, you’re in the 4th trimester in the midst of newborn craziness - give yourself some grace and enjoy the treats too xxxx
Give your body time to recover. Now it's getting warm. It's a lovely time to go out for nice walks which will do you the world of good. We have all been there. Take care x
hi, this sounds very frustrating for you. I gained quite a lot of weight during pregnancy and am also breastfeeding. My lo is nearly 5 months now and I’m only just nearing my pre pregnancy weight however like someone else has said my shape is entirely different, I no longer seem to have a waist and still cannot get into any trousers I own. It’s very hard to exercise, especially when breastfeeding so I would imagine the weight loss will kick in. I probably also had night sweats for a good few weeks after which helped shed some weight. 9 weeks is still very early and I’m sure your body will know what it is doing. It’s hard adapting to a new body and essentially a new you, but the core of who you are is still the same and the people that matter will not judge you.
Sorry I meant to reply to this the other day, but 3yr old and 20 month old keep me busy! I had gestational diabetes during both my pregnancies and actually lost weight. I was so pleased and was adamant I would keep up my healthy eating post birth.
That lasted right up until they presented me with trifle as an option for dessert on the maternity ward 🙈
Then the sleep deprivation hit and I lived on coffee and chocolate hobnobs for months. The weight piled on.
I think it's ridiculously hard to live up to the Instagram birth and bounce back baloney! If you don't have a village supporting sleep, cleaning, cooking etc. It's impossible to do all.
It also takes a few months for the relaxin to leave your system, so it's really important to take it easy when reintroducing exercise to avoid injury and boy did I take it easy 😀
I did go to a baby sensory class and do a swimming class each week with both the girls. Getting out and talking to other mums was really helpful. To share experiences and worries I found really helpful and made some lifelong friends.
My youngest is nearly 2 now and I'm finally going back to the gym, doing a park yoga class and trying to be more active each day. I've lost just over a stone and finally feel a bit more in control of what I'm eating, now the girls are in a bit more of a routine and I'm getting more sleep.
I also did a finding myself class, with my local mental health team over zoom with other mums. It was really helpful to hear other mums having some of the same experiences as me as I was struggling a bit with finding any time for me and who I was now I was a mum.
If you're struggling with socialising, because of how you feel, I would absolutely advise reaching out to your local service and seeing if they can offer you some support.
I know baby is 10 weeks now, and you're really having a challenging time, but I can only say it does get easier and you don't have to feel guilty if you aren't enjoying every minute. I used to flip people the bird under the table when people told me I should be enjoying every minute, especially with my first, terrible sleeper, colic, etc.
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