Post partum weight loss

AMJ6511

I had my baby girl three weeks ago today. In the first week and a half I was home, I lost 30 pounds of the 60 that I gained. Now, it seems like my weight loss has stalled. What would cause this? I'm BF-ing, so I thought I would still continue to lose weight. What could be causing this stall in my progress?

mrs.mastro

The first 30 you lost was your actual "baby weight." The rest, unfortunately, is probably excess fat you gained and won't be coming off as easily. Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, so if you are not overeating you should lose a pound a week. If you exercise you could lose faster as long as you are not eating more to compensate, but just be careful you don't mess up your supply by undereating/overexercising.

hullmanr

I gained 65 while pregnant. I lost ~30 right away, then stalled out for awhile, then lost another 15, stalled out, etc....

now DS is almost 9 months and all the weight is off.  I'm still BFing, and started working out regularly once I was cleared by the dr. I try to keep my calories right around 2000/day.

i think part of it is hormones, you still have lingering pregnancy hormones for at least a few months after giving birth. Hang in there, it took 9 months to gain it, might take that long to get it off!

AMJ6511

hullmanr:

I gained 65 while pregnant. I lost ~30 right away, then stalled out for awhile, then lost another 15, stalled out, etc....

now DS is almost 9 months and all the weight is off.  I'm still BFing, and started working out regularly once I was cleared by the dr. I try to keep my calories right around 2000/day.

i think part of it is hormones, you still have lingering pregnancy hormones for at least a few months after giving birth. Hang in there, it took 9 months to gain it, might take that long to get it off!

 

Thanks! I'm aiming for 2000 cals a day right now. I didn't know if that was too high or too low, but it sounds just about right.  

vlagrl29

I lost 40 right away and needed to work off the extra 36.  You have reached that point.  watch what you eat and keep active...it will come off

IncogNeato

Ditto the pps. At first you lose fluid, baby, placenta, blood volume, etc, which comes off fast. After 3-4 weeks all that is gone (although your uterus is still shrinking so your belly will continue to get smaller) but now the leftover weight is actual fat (plus some extra boobs) and it takes more time to lose fat. 1800-2000 is a good place to start. Aim for losing about a pound a week max and if nothing is budging, you can cut a few calories or add in more exercise.

I gained over 40 this time and the first 20 came off in about 3 weeks, then it took another month to lose the next 5, and in the next month and a half I've lost another 5. In general, weight loss tends to get slower over time because you weigh less and therefore burn fewer calories each day. Give it time.

happy_un-bride

I'm no help, with no exercise (other than some family walks) and no diet I was down to ore pregnancy weight by 6week checkup.  I've still continued to drop some weight as well since then.