How to Flatten Your Stomach After Giving Birth

Pregnancy weight can linger for months after the birth of your child. And since your days are likely to become more hectic, shedding these additional pounds can prove challenging. However, there are ways to quickly flatten your stomach after giving birth. The stomach will naturally lose inches on its own following delivery, but to achieve a slimmer waistline, you'll need to make eating and lifestyle changes.

Instructions

1

Eat healthy foods. Immediately cutting calories after the birth of your baby can affect your supply of milk, if breastfeeding. Wait six weeks before dieting to flatten to your stomach. Decrease food portions and make healthy choices like lean meats and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit fatty and sugary foods.

2

Drink more water to increase your metabolism. Drink a glass of water before meals to fill your stomach and help you eat less. Drinking can also increase metabolism and help you shed water weight. Take in eight glasses of water a day.

3

Breastfeed your baby if you are able to. Breastfeeding burns additional calories each day and helps you lose weight in the stomach post pregnancy.

4

Do stomach crunches by lying on your back with your knees bent and arms across the chest or hands behind the head. Keep your feet on the floor and then use your stomach muscles to raise your upper body a few inches off the floor. Do two sets of 10 to 12 crunches, says Prevention.com.

5

Use a chair to help flatten the stomach. Find a comfortable, armless chair. Sit down in the chair, and with your back straight, bend your knees and slowly pull your legs towards your upper body. Lower your legs and repeat the movement 10 to 12 times to engage your core muscles.

6

Incorporate the bicycle maneuver. Lie on your back with both hands behind your head. Bend your knees and raise your legs to a 90-degree angle. Create a bicycle motion by bringing your right knee towards your head while extending your left leg, then alternate by pulling in your left knee and extending the right leg. Lift your head off the floor and touch your left knee with your right elbow, and your right knee with your left elbow as you alternate your legs. Do two sets of 10 to 12.

7

Develop a good sleep pattern. Being stressed after the birth of your child can increase the production of cortisol (a stress hormone). An increase in cortisol plays a role in weight gain. Adequate sleep can relieve stress. Get plenty of rest and ask for nighttime help with the baby in order to allow yourself some extra sleep.