How to Lose Belly Weight Right After a C-Section

Having a baby is a life- and body-changing experience. If you are one of the 25 percent of women who had a Cesarean section, excess belly fat can be a problem. Obtaining a flat midsection may seem impossible, but with disciplined exercise and eating, you can lose the belly fat after a C-section.

Instructions

1

Obtain clearance from your doctor before beginning any post-surgery exercise. Doctors usually ask patients who have undergone a C-section to wait at least 6 weeks before participating in any strenuous exercise, lifting or stretching. Your muscles have been cut and need time to heal.

2

Remove all the junk food from your house and commit to eating healthfully. If you are breastfeeding, do not skimp on your meals and diet in terms of restricting calories. Focus your diet on healthy options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats such as chicken and fish, whole grains such as whole wheat bread and brown rice, yogurts and low-fat cheese. Drink plenty of water as well to support healing and detoxification.

3

Commit to an exercise routine. Once your doctor has said its OK for you to exercise, focus on cardiovascular, calorie-burning exercises such as power walking (maybe with your stroller), jogging and cycling. Perform these at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more. These types of exercises help you lose overall body fat and improve the appearance of your belly. After four to six months, add in specific exercises to target and tone your midsection. Pilates and yoga help you relax from your hectic life as a new mom and focus training on the core of your body.

4

Breastfeed your baby if you can. The process of breastfeeding burns extra calories and speeds up the shrinking of the uterus, helping deflate your belly. Remember that nutrition and hydration must be top priorities if you are able to breastfeed.

5

Be patient. It took at least nine months to put on the extra weight. Do not expect it to disappear overnight. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is through diligent, consistent dietary changes and exercise. Commit to these for life, and your belly will deflate.

How to Help a 3 Week Old Gain Weight

One way to measure the health of a newborn baby is to monitor her weight gain. If a baby is three weeks old and not gaining weight, there may be a variety of issues that need to be addressed to ensure normal weight gain. Babies who are underweight may have more health problems and a weaker immune system due to nutritional deficiencies. There are many reasons that a 3-week-old may be underweight, however, it is possible to get your baby back on track to normal weight gain.

Instructions

1

Try a different formula if the baby is bottle fed. If your baby is drinking too fast, try reducing the size of the hole in the nipple. This will help your three week old baby avoid gas that can lead to colic and allow them to drink at a comfortable pace. In addition, if your baby shows distaste for the current formula, they may not be drinking enough to induce weight gain. Babies up to a month old should be drinking up to 2 ounces of formula or breast milk every few hours to maintain a healthy weight. Wake your baby every few hours as necessary to encourage weight gain.

2

Help your three week old breast feed more successfully to gain weight. Oregon.gov recommends breastfeeding up to twelve times daily when the baby shows signs of hunger to ensure he gets enough to eat in order to gain weight. You should hold the baby close and make sure they are in a comfortable position to increase their likelihood of feeding longer as well. Offer both breasts, and allow your baby to feed until full to encourage weight gain. Pumping your breasts after breastfeeding is recommended to boost breast milk flow for the next feeding.

3

Determine if your baby has colic. Colicky babies may cry or scream every time they eat due to gas in the intestinal tract that causes extreme discomfort. This may make them avoid eating altogether which can lead to significant weight loss. According to Medline Plus you should watch your diet if you are breastfeeding to avoid a colicky baby. Stay away from dairy, eggs, nuts and other commonly allergic foods. Foods that produce gas, such as cabbage and beans, should be avoided as well.

4

Consult with your doctor if your baby does not gain weight or was born preterm. Babies born preterm have different nutritional needs and often require supplements that contain high calorie, protein, iron and calcium levels. Babies who are not gaining weight normally at three weeks of age may require supplementation as well. After birth, babies of a normal weight will return to their birth weight, but at three weeks, they should be gaining at a steady rate of a few ounces per week.

5

Do not give a three week old baby cereal or other foods to help them gain weight. Babies that young do not have the throat muscles required to swallow these foods and may choke. Babies will gain weight at a regular pace is they are healthy and fed breast milk or formula as stated above. Genetics will ultimately determine the weight gain or loss of a healthy baby.

Is it Safe to Use Nioxin While Breastfeeding?

Many women experience mild to moderate hair loss during pregnancy and after childbirth. Because of this, many breastfeeding mothers use hair-enhancing products like Nioxin to improve the growth and strength of their hair. There are no known aside effects associated with using Nioxin during pregnancy.

Absorption

Because Nioxin is applied directly to the hair, very little of it is absorbed into the blood steam and none passes into breast milk.

Effects on Pregnancy

The manufacturer's of Nioxin state that there are no known contraindications or side effects associated with Nioxin during pregnancy or any other life-stage.

Considerations

Severe hair loss during breastfeeding may be a sign of a medical condition such as postpartum thyroiditis or malnutrition.

Expert Insight

Lacation expert Dr. Jack Newman, author of the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, notes that few topical drugs pass into breast milk in detectable quantitites.

Benefits

Because Nioxin is considered to be safe for mothers who are pregnant and nursing, it is often recommended instead of internal drugs like Rogaine and Propecia, which may pass into breastmilk and cause unintended side effects.

Advantan Side Effects

Advantan is a prescription medication. It is applied topically to the skin and is not intended to be taken orally. Advantan is prescribed to treat skin conditions such as inflammation and allergic reactions, as well as eczema. It may also help with itching, burning and superficial pain. When applying Advantan, use only a thin layer. Using an excessive amount may exacerbate potential side effects. Advantan is not marketed in the United States.

Side Effects

You may experience an allergic reaction to Advantan. Never use this product if you are allergic to the ingredients. You may experience some side effects, including skin discoloration, folliculitis, perioral dermatitis, hypertrichosis and skin atrophy. You may also notice skin dryness. According to MedSafe, these side effects may be worsened if you apply Advantan to a large portion of your body (about 10% or more). Talk to your doctor about the risks of this product becoming absorbed into your body. Systemic absorption may lead to suppression of the function of your adrenal glands.

Contraindications

Advantan should not be applied to areas of the skin infected with acne. It should also not be used in cases of many viral infections, such as herpes zoster, or by tuberculosis or syphilis patients. Do not apply Advantan to any areas where your skin is reacting to a vaccination. Talk to your doctor about other possible contraindications by disclosing all of your pre-existing medical conditions.

Warnings

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, never use Advantan on your face, especially around the eyes. According to MedSafe, if this medicine is used near the eyes for a prolonged period of time, glaucoma may develop. Using Advantan on the face can also worsen rosacea.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should consult carefully with their doctor before considering a topical medication such as Advantan. The BB Online Pharmacy cautions that Advantan should never be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You may run the risk of your baby developing birth defects.

Time Frame

Some medications, even if they are only applied topically, should not be used for an extended period of time. Advantan is no exception. Adults should use Advantan for no longer than 12 weeks. Children using Advantan should cease usage at four weeks. Taking Advantan for longer than this time period can result in skin problems, such as loss of elasticity and thinning of the skin. It may also cause the dilation of blood vessels, as well as ecchymosis and telangiectasia.

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.

Foods That Cause Gas in Babies

Hearing your baby cry or whimper in pain is tough for every parent. One of the most common causes of pain and discomfort in babies is gas. Make life a bit easier for your child--and for yourself--by learning which foods cause gas in your baby and then avoiding them.

Gas in Babies

It is normal for babies to have gas. As with adults, gas is caused by the body's failure to entirely digest certain foods. The undigested food passes to the large intestine, where bacteria breaks it down into various gases. The gas then exits through the rectum. Babies are especially prone to gas because of their immature digestive systems. However, sometimes babies can produce excessive gas, in which case you should consider the foods she is eating. It's also a good idea for the mother to avoid these foods if she is still breastfeeding the baby.

Dairy Products

Both breastfed and formula-fed babies can suffer from excessive gas. Certain enzymes are needed in the stomach to properly break down milk proteins, and many babies don't have enough of these enzymes. If you are breastfeeding and have eliminated other possible sources of excessive gas in your baby, consider limiting the amount of milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream in your diet. If you believe your baby is having a reaction to the cow's milk in formula, consider switching to a soy-based formula. But speak with your child's pediatrician first.

Fruits

The acid in citrus fruits can be hard on a baby's digestive system. If you notice a connection between feeding your child citrus fruits and an increase in gas, ease up on feeding him oranges, lemons, grapefruits, strawberries and tomatoes.

Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are believed to be more likely to cause gas than other vegetables. These vegetables include broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale and bok choy.

Other Foods

You may want to avoid foods containing caffeine, such soda and chocolate. Garlic, onions, peppers and spicy foods are also common gas inducers.

Warning

Many of these foods are healthy and should only be eliminated from your or your baby's diet if it is almost certainly disrupting her digestive system. Babies are fussy for many reasons--not everything can be attributed to gas. To determine whether a particular food is causing a problem, eliminate it from your or your baby's diet for at least one week and see whether it makes a difference. Eliminate only one food at a time so that you'll know which food is making a difference, if any.

Diet and Health Tips for Mothers After Cesarean Delivery

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 percent of births take place by cesarean section surgery. This means that each year over one million women deal with recovering from major surgery. Diet and nutrition play a vital role in the health of a cesarean mother. Getting adequate rest, healthy food, and keeping the immune system strong are important in the months following a cesarean.

Features

It is important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet which includes all four food groups. Particularly important to post-cesarean health are fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy foods and protein.

Considerations

Since a woman who delivered via C-section will probably experience increased gas after the procedure, limiting foods which produce gas, such as fried foods and carbonated drinks, is highly recommended.

Time Frame

The World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed six clinical trials designed to study the effects of early versus delayed eating post-cesarean. WHO found that there are no compelling factors to delay eating a diet of normal food following cesarean surgery.

Types

Women who have undergone a cesarean section should take care to get adequate vitamins from food and supplements, especially vitamins E and C as these promote health and healing and help the body resist infection.

Expert Insight

The International Cesarean Awareness Network recommends increasing your activity slowly and only taking care of your baby and yourself for the first few weeks at home. Get help with household chores and taking care of your other children.