Are you currently pregnant and discouraged about getting back

into shape after having your baby? Or maybe you're a new Mom

who is exhausted and getting to the gym is the last thing on

your mind! Either way, I hope the following tips help you lose

that baby weight.

I don't have any fancy initials behind my name, I'm just a Mom

of 4 kids. I've been able to get into my favorite Gap jeans

fairly quickly after my babies, and I've observed that women

who do the same have a few things in common. Here are my tips

for losing the weight postpartum:

1. Don't use pregnancy as an excuse to binge.

Pregnancy is the time to get strict about nutrition. Eating

junk food will produce a small baby and a big Momma. Make your

pregnancy a time to turn over a new leaf if you are a junk food

junkie. You'll be developing habits that will serve you well as

you teach your children about nutrition.

At the same time, don't obsess about weight gain. I gained

between 35-50 pounds for each of my pregnancies, and still

didn't have trouble getting back into my old clothes within a

few months postpartum. Focus on good nutrition, stay as active

as you can, and you won't go wrong.

2. Breastfeed your baby.

Breastfeeding burns around 500-700 calories a day. Wow- that's

not bad for sitting around relaxing on the couch! Your body

puts on 9 pounds during your pregnancy specifically for the

purpose of lactation. The extra weight is laid down on your

thighs to make sure you will have enough fat to burn to make

milk for baby. Call it "famine insurance" if you will. If you

don't breastfeed, guess what? That 9 pounds stays.

Several studies show that nursing Moms return to their

prepregnancy weight more quickly. Nursing also helps your

uterus contract back to its prepregnancy size faster. Plus

you'll have a nicer decolletage to boot!

3. Talk a walk every day

Walking is probably the perfect exercise for new Moms. It's not

stressful on your joints (which are still loosey-goosey from the

pregnancy hormones for a while after you give birth). It's free

and doesn't require a babysitter or any special equipment. It

gets you out in the sun, which helps regulates your sleep/wake

cycle, causing you and baby to sleep better at night and

possibly helping prevent postpartum depression. And you can do

it with a friend. If you're sleep deprived and can't bear the

thoughts of exercise, call up a buddy and make a date with her

to walk several mornings a week. Then you can treat yourselves

to Starbucks and gossip afterwards.

4. "Wear" your baby

In addition to the many other benefits, using a baby sling or

other soft cloth carrier and wearing your baby will burn lots

of calories during the day as you do your household chores or

care for other children. It also makes it easier for you to be

active. You'll be less tempted to sit around. Throwing on a

sling and sitting baby inside it is much easier than lugging

out and setting up a heavy stroller.

5. Curb those cravings

Postpartum Moms have cravings for several reasons. One is

because serotonin levels are dropping, leading to cravings for

sugar. Substitute snacking with another, health producing

activity, like getting together with your buddy and going for a

walk.

Another cause of cravings may be low blood sugar due to

inadequate nutrition (eating too infrequently or eating too

much refined sugar). Keep your blood sugar in control by eating

frequent small meals that are balanced in nutrients. Keep snacks

handy that you can grab quickly before you feed the baby. You

need fats, protein and complex carbohydrates. Things like dried

fruit and nuts, granola, full fat yogurt (buy the plain kind and

mix in all-fruit jelly. Most yogurt has way too much sugar

otherwise), kefir, vegetables sliced ahead of time and served

with dips, hummus, whole grain pita bread, fruit smoothies, etc

will keep your blood sugar constant and provide good nutrition.

And keep taking your prenatal multivitamin to help prevent

deficiencies that may cause cravings.

6. Avoid excessive caffeine

Drinking too much caffeine leads to insulin surges which cause

your blood sugar to drop. When this happens most people head

straight for the refined carbs to quicky bring their blood

sugar back up. That's no good.

7. Get enough rest

Easier said than done for a new Mom, to be sure! But if at all

possible, nap with your baby. When you are terribly sleep

deprived, you tend to gain weight. Consider bringing baby to

bed with you if you are nursing. You will sleep better, baby

will sleep better, and Daddy will sleep better (making it more

likely that he will take baby for a walk and let you nap some

afternoons!). Women all over the world have been doing it for

thousands of years. As long as you are not morbidly obese,

using sleeping pills or inebriated, cosleeping is safe.

8. Focus on good nutrition

This is also a challenge for a new, stressed out Mom. Check out

books like "The One Armed Cook" for ideas on how to prepare

healthy meals with a baby in arms. Visit a La Leche League

meeting and ask other Moms how they manage to eat well with

kids in the kitchen. Some Moms who were former junk food

junkies have done well with the following technique. Before

feeding themselves a particular food, they ask: "Would I feed

this to my baby?" If the answer is no, they don't eat it.

9. And lastly, give it time

Be realistic- don't expect yourself to be back into your

favorite jeans within a few weeks of delivery. In the meantime,

appreciate your new, womanly curves (especially the cleavage

that breastfeeding gives you!). I noticed that my clothing

style changes somewhat after I have a baby. My normal tailored,

classic look gives way to a soft, feminine style that flatters

my postpartum body more.

Rejoice in your body that can do such awesome things as give

birth and nourish a new life! Likely, your partner is much more

forgiving of your changing body than you are. Most of all, enjoy

your new baby!