3-6 months to lose pregnancy weight normal

Women are under too much pressure to lose weight quickly after giving birth, according to a new study.

Once the baby arrives, many new mothers want to return to their former weight quickly.

But according to a new study, taking three to six months to lose weight gained in pregnancy is normal.

The researchers, from the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, added that overdoing early weight loss attempts could have a negative impact on breastfeeding.

“Often, the extra effort women have to make to look after a new baby and breastfeed after giving birth means the kilos just melt away,” the researchers said. “But for about half of all women, the weight will not go away as quickly.”

The researchers found that ‘eating for two’ in pregnancy can cause problems if you are already overweight.

“Women need to eat well for themselves and their baby, but pregnancy is not a time to overeat.”

A lot of exercise in the weeks after birth will also not help.

“The evidence shows that a balanced diet – with or without extra exercise – is the best way to lose weight after childbirth,” the researchers said.

The study also found that very strenuous exercise programmes soon after childbirth did not lead to extra weight loss.

For more, visit our Pregnancy Clinic, Mum.ie.

[Posted: Mon 22/06/2009]