Today, we mommas are bombarded with messages like “Get your body back!” “How to lose that baby weight fast!” and “Fit back into your pre-pregnancy jeans!” We’ve somehow turned the delicate postpartum period into a weight loss competition, and have forgotten that this time is meant for deep healing and rest.
Growing an entire human from scratch is a taxing process on it’s own, but then added to that is the magnificent feat of birthing that new human into the world. No matter how healthy we are during our pregnancy, we come out of birth depleted. The postpartum period is a time to replenish what was used up during pregnancy and birth.
If we can switch our mindset about the postpartum from “this a time for weight loss” and start thinking “this a time for nourishing, healing, and bonding with baby” then the we’re setting ourselves up for success.
Staying well nourished isn’t about eating perfectly, and doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are 5 easy ways you can help ensure your body is getting what it needs after baby is born.
- Don’t cut calories
Now is not the time, especially if you are breastfeeding. There’s plenty of time to worry about weight later.
- Take your prenatal or postnatal vitamins
Vitamins should not be taken in place of a healthy diet, but rather in addition to a healthy diet.
- Eat at home
Fast food isn’t just lacking in nutrients it’s also hard on the digestive system. A lot of women report having a hard time having bowel movements, especially in the early postpartum, so we want to eat foods that are easy to digest to help things along.
- Stay hydrated
Want to give your plain water a boost? Add some fresh fruit/veggies/herbs to it. My fav in warm weather is cucumber/strawberries/basil. My fav in cold weather is orange/cinnamon/star anise. Or how about sipping on herbal tea or bone broth? That way you’re staying hydrated and getting some extra goodness at the same time.
- Eat the rainbow
I know, I know… we hear it all the time, but that’s because we need to be reminded. Different fruits and veggies have different nutrients and eating a variety helps to make sure we are getting what we need.
Again, this isn’t about perfection, it’s about balance. So, if you find that you’ve just inhaled a bag of cheetos for breakfast don’t be too hard on yourself, because lunch is just around the corner and every meal is a new opportunity!