Are you looking for tips for flat tummy after pregnancy?
One of the top issues many mothers struggle with is getting their bodies back.
As the baby develops in the uterus, the stomach stretches. For other mothers, they gain a lot of baby belly fat. All of these lead to a mum pooch.
Due to this, many mothers are always looking for ways to get back their flat tummy soonest possible.
While you can give your body to recover on its own because it does, you might feel like this will take time.
Sadly, this natural course doesn’t always work for all mothers.
However, Parental Questions is here to provide you with all the tips you need to get your groove back.
Causes of Belly After Pregnancy
Before diving into how you can get a flat tummy after pregnancy, it is important that you first understand the reasons behind a belly after delivering.
There are several reasons behind this.
1. Expanded Uterus
Unfortunately, your uterus will need a few days or weeks to get back to its original size.
The uterus expands as much as 500 times its initial size during pregnancy to create room for the baby.
Shrinking back to its original size will vary, but it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks.
The process is referred to as involution. During this period, you will experience uterine contractions or afterpains and cramps.
You can try to wear a postpartum girdle or often breastfeed to manage the pain.
2. Diastasis Recti
DR happens where the muscles within the belly. When this happens, you get the belly pooch.
Sadly, the belly pooch takes time to go, and it will require a lot of effort on your part. Some mothers struggle with it even after exercising.
If this is you, a surgical procedure might help you.
3. Baby Belly Fat
Did your body accumulate baby fat? It can happen if you are consuming more calories than you should during your pregnancy.
After delivering, your body tends to retain these fats to provide nutrients for breastfeeding.
4. Loose Skin
Another reason why you might not be getting back your flat belly is having loose skin. Your stomach stretches during pregnancy.
For some women, the muscles around the skin become loose, and the collagen fibers break.
These fibers are in charge of the elasticity of the skin.
So when they break or get weaker, your body will have a more challenging time getting back to its initial shape after delivering.
Tips For Flat Tummy After Pregnancy
Now that you know the causes of your stubborn belly, you can focus on the best course of action.
There are several methods to getting a flat tummy after pregnancy. One can incorporate all of the below or some of them.
It will all depend on your situation. There is no one-size-fits-all process to losing mummy-tummy.
1. Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for your little one! It is also an excellent avenue to losing weight and getting back your flat tummy naturally.
According to studies, breastfeeding mothers lose more weight than non-breastfeeding ones.
Breastfeeding often means that your body needs to burn fat cells for the production of milk.
The more milk you produce, the more calories you burn. These calories come from your current diet and the stored fat cells in your body.
2. Eating Healthy Foods
To ensure that you are not doing zero work, ensure that you watch your diet.
While you need healthy foods for maximum milk production, it is also important to eat foods that are not too high in calories and carbs.
That said, do not restrict your calories intake too much. Now more than ever, you will need enough calories, especially if you are breastfeeding.
We recommend getting a meal planner to help you curate a healthy post-pregnancy diet.
3. Exercising
Exercising is always an excellent solution to losing weight. It will help you get back your flat tummy.
That said, it is important that you consult your doctor fast before you start postnatal fitness routines.
You need to ensure that your body is ready and has healed, especially if you delivered vis CS.
The CDC recommends that postpartum moms engage in aerobic activities for about 150 minutes every week.
Some of the activities to try are walking, push-ups, sit-ups, pilates, yoga, and lifting weights.
4. Drink Enough Water
First, drinking enough water will help you stay hydrated. It will also help in keeping your skin moisturized and improve its elasticity.
5. Use Skin Firming Creams
If your skin is still loose even after exercising and losing some belly fat, you should consider using skin firming creams.
These help your skin regain its elasticity, especially if the stretching during pregnancy destroys your collagen fibers.
6. Use a Postpartum Girdle
Postpartum girdles will not only help with relieving the pain of involution, but they can also help your body get back to its initial shape.
You do not have to struggle with your body after delivering. The above tips for flat tummy after tummy are an excellent guide to getting back your body.
All you have to do is understand the reason behind your mummy tummy. This will provide you with the best solution, like exercising or getting a surgical procedure.
Also read related posts:
- I Weigh 200 Pounds How Do I Lose Weight
- Lose 15 Pounds In 6 Weeks
- How To Lose 50 Pounds In A Month Fast?
Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.