Although I lost quite a bit of weight soon after having Gideon, I still had some extra weight and had lost muscle. I have been somewhat active, although not nearly active as I was without a new baby. And I haven't been as consistent in my healthy diet. So, how have I gotten my body back into shape and kept off extra weight?
One word. Breastfeeding.
Secret #2: I have breastfed my son from the moment he was born, and I plan to continue breastfeeding for the forseeable future.
I know that breastfeeding is not for everyone. There are a lot of complications, and it can be difficult to be the only (or main) source of food for your infant. Day. After. Day. And weight loss is not the main reason that I breastfeed, but it is a really nice benefit. I eat so much sometimes, especially when little man has gone through a growth spurt and my supply is lagging, that my husband teases me about it.
The first few days and weeks were so hard. It was excruciating to feed Gideon, and he needed what seemed to be constant feeding. But my midwife and a very kind lactation consultant encouraged me that it would get better. And guess what? It did. We've had some rough patches, and there have been days that I wanted to run away and come back to a formula fed baby. But I know that my milk is best for my baby. I was designed to meet the needs of my child, and that process has helped my body lose the excess fat reserves that it stored while my baby was growing in my womb. What a beautiful process.
As a note, I know that this is not a one size fit all "solution" to weight loss. I have talked to friends who breastfed and ate healthy, and it didn't seem to help them lose weight. My experience is that it has helped me. Every body is different. Dieting (unless it is a change in diet toward healthier, better portioned foods), in my opinion, is never a healthy way to lose weight.
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