The Problem with Postpartum Weight Loss

One of my biggest pet peeves is when women are targeted for weight loss postpartum. 

There is so much vulnerability in this time from the change in identity that many women struggle with to taking care of a new human on top of keeping up with chores, work and maybe even other tiny humans. That isn’t even mentioning the mothers health.

Yes, you probably gained weight during pregnancy… you are supposed to. Think about all of the things your body is growing and preparing for. Trying to force your body to “bounce back” after pregnancy is not ideal for healing, or taking care of you so you can take care of your baby.

The problem with the push for weight loss postpartum

1. You are going to change. Everybody has a different journey after they have a baby. Don’t find yourself falling for the before and after photos. Of course your body will balance back to where it is comfortable. Your uterus is going from the size of a watermelon back to the size of a pair and your body needs a chance to catch up and adjust to this change. So, no you won’t look 6 months pregnant forever, but it is unrealistic to expect to go back to your body before your baby with no changes. You can expect your body to look and feel a little different, you had a baby! The idea of “get your body back” is BS.
2. Your body needs time to heal. Let’s face if the first few months can be rough, especially if you had a difficult delivery or a c-section. Taking care of yourself often gets put on the back burner until weight loss is pushed into the picture. The problem with trying to lose weight in this very fragile period is that there is a wound the size of a dinner plate from where the placenta tore off, your body is rebalancing its own blood supply, trying to produce milk, rebalance hormones and probably not getting a great amount of sleep or potentially trying to manage postpartum depression and anxiety. We are told over and over that weight loss is postpartum wellness, and yes your body will probably return to a comfortable weight naturally, but wellness postpartum needs to be focused on nourishment and rest to heal and rebalance our bodies.
3. The pursuit of weight loss postpartum takes a toil on all of the hard work you have put into breastfeeding. In order for your body to be able to produce enough milk, especially if you need to pump at work or away from the baby, you need to get proper hydration and nourishment. Yes, our bodies know how to care for a baby and will do their best to keep up and take from stores in the mom, but this can’t last forever and often leads to low supply. Not to mention you are not going to feel great if you aren’t replenishing what is being taken out of your body.

The biggest problem I have with the push for weight loss after a baby is that it is usually linked to guilt and shame or angles in a way that makes you feel like you can’t be beautiful or confident without losing weight.

The sad part is it is often women in fitness pushing this narrative that you need to lose weight after having a baby to feel confident. This is from the overall societal pressure to look as though you never had a baby, but why? Creating a tiny human inside of you is such a huge miracle and taking care of them afterwards is a whole nother adventure.

So what should wellness look like postpartum?

1. Honoring your body and nourishing it intuitively. If you have never tried intuitive eating, now is a great time to start. I find it very easy to be in tune with how food makes me feel postpartum because my body is so sensitive. It can also be a great time to focus on nourishing yourself by (trying) to eat regularly.
2. Respect your body with rest and gentle movement. Another part of intuitive eating is movement, and again now is the time to listen to your body. It can be so frustrating in the first few weeks when you start to feel better, but still have limitations. Think of this as an invitation to rest and listen to your body. Add in movement as you are able to enjoy and that you are capable of. It can be incredibly humbling to start exercising again after having a baby and feeling so weak starting again. Your body is very protective of you, listen to it.
3. Don’t force yourself back into your pre-baby clothes. Your body isn’t meant to shrink down to its previous size right away or maybe even at all. Give yourself grace and buy new clothes that you are comfortable in. If you find it difficult to look at the clothes that don’t currently fit you, put them away for a while.

Letting go of unrealistic expectations can be very difficult. I encourage you to follow accounts that celebrate all bodies and motherhood from a different lense. And don’t forget that your wellness is important. If you are taking care of yourself, you are better able to take care of your baby.