Top 5 Things I Wish I'd Known about Postpartum Recovery: 18 days Postpartum

The difference between 1 month postpartum and 2 months postpartum is huge... But the difference between 1 month postpartum and 4 months postpartum is EPIC. I feel so much more like me again!

I have great news. I am within 7 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight! I gained a total of 55 pounds when I was pregnant, and only 12 came off at the hospital. (To say I was depressed about it is an understatement.) I may still have a few extra pounds, but I really feel comfortable in my skin again! It's pretty cool.

Here is the vulnerability posted out on the interwebs for all to see...

 

Advice from a 4 month [ostpartum lady to the first time pregnant or newly postpartum women:

1. Time Flies - I know how much it sucks to look in the mirror and see what you think is a tub of goo. Believe me. I felt icky! Terrible and round. Everyone in the world says... It took 9 months, so give yourself at least 9 months.  I couldn't handle that.  Especially at 6 weeks postpartum, but here's the deal: Time flies. Really, it does.  9 months feels like forever, but if you can make it breastfeeding for over 3 months that's when the breastfeeding weight loss really amps up! And if you quit breastfeeding (or pumping) before then, you can get out to the gym a couple times a week.  Your body will bounce back!! 

Those stretch marks will fade (mine are mostly gone already).

The acne will chill out (but it might scar and that's ok).

You are going to smell like milk. 

BUT you are someone's Mom! How freaking cool is that! 

2. Eat Food - Do not starve! I know that sometimes I don't eat too healthy, but I have learned you have to eat.  Sometimes the day gets really busy and I forget a meal.  That just makes me more tired and more cranky.  

3. Talk it Out - Do not let your brain get in the way.... I was constantly thinking my husband was mad at me for about two straight months.  We weren't able to get the us time we were used to, but now that the baby is on a better sleeping routine we can talk again at night.  We have to go through different things, and now, we know to talk about what next.  We realized that it is super important to be on the same page before something happens.  Nothing worse than sticking your foot in your mouth in a room full of people because you don't agree on whether or not to use a bottle warmer... Awkward, lol.

4. Do What's Best - Sometimes people have great ideas... other times they have no clue what's going on.  Don't let anyone make you feel like you aren't doing your very best for you and your family. There are times that people have tried to make me feel guilty for pumping because it takes me away from my family for stretches of time, but I have a healthy baby and I am loosing weight.  Two very important things for the well being of my family.  

5. Pump - If you aren't a breastfeeding momma just tune me out now, but if you are exclusively breastfeeding and open to suggestion here's my two cents.  I say pump and give yourself a break.  I don't mean for every feed, but at least for one a day.  It helps the kiddo get used to a bottle, and it lets someone else feed them.  Most of us don't have the luxury of staying home, so at some point the pump is coming into play for those of us who are sticking with the breast.  I even went to a wedding last week and had a drink!! What, what.. pump and dump was worth it to have a night off!

What's my trick to weight loss.... 

I haven't been able to work out in the last month or so because I have been back at work.  Between working with cheer, being a new mom, being a wife, being a daughter, and exclusively pumping I just haven't found the hours in the day! Pumping takes a lot out of me, and I definitely credit it for helping me drop some of these last pounds.  I would really like to get back to the gym and to tone that belly up!  I still have a bit of separation of the ab muscles, so when I get back to my body being my own I will have to work to recover those a bit. 

It's a difficult thing to eat enough healthy calories for me to support the feeding and working out, so until I give up the pump I think running is on a bit of a pause. It's possible to do both, but I just think it will be way easier when I don't have to wear three sports bras and stress about my schedule as much.

I know I still stress a lot about things, but I am learning to let up... It's always a work in progress!  

 

Posts in the Postpartum Series:
Exclusively Pumping 

11 Weeks
Reality: Breastfeeding is Hard

Top 5 Things I Wish I'd Known about Postpartum Recovery: 18 days Postpartum