Hi moms! OK- so I have been extremely frustrated and self conscious with this: My 3rd baby was born 8 months ago, and my tummy looks like I am pregnant! I know this can be normal to a certain extent/etc. but I have never had to worry about my weight, and my tummy went down pretty nicely after my first 2 babies. What gives?? I have breastfed all of my babies, and nothing is really different. I have been exercising and eating pretty well, too. Can those tummy muscles really be that much different after a 3rd baby than they are after the 2nd baby? I have literally been asked 'when I was due' 3 different times in the past couple of months, and this horrifies me!! I didn't think it looked that 'pregnant', but being a self-conscious person, this is really affecting me badly. I know I may be overboard, but it's really stressing me out.
BTW- my 8 month old still nurses a tiny bit; usually only once at night. Are there any health care or fitness ladies out there who can give me some insight on this? What can I do? Thank-you in advance for your time : o )
I would say that a tummy tuck is the last resort that you would want to do. I had a pouch and still have a slight one but with good eating (healthy ways to do that are through watching what you eat...maybe cutting out sugar for a while)....I have been doing P90X and have found that after about 3 months...I have slimmed down.....I also run about 10-20 miles a week...good luck...
No advice for you but wanted to say that I am going through the same thing (after #3).
First of all, I know how you feel. I had my first baby when I was 17 years old and the pregnancy completely ruined my muscles and stretched out the skin. However, with each child (and I'm pregnant with #4 now) the pouch got worse. With my build its hard to tell and if I wear something tight clothed around the waist then I have to wear a spandex thing to hold it all in.
I know my cousin had the same thing happen with her first pregnancy and she always looks pregnant even though her first baby is 6 years old and her second one is 1 1/2 now.
I've checked with a plastic surgeon and they can go in (like a tummy tuck) and sew the muscles back together. Its so expensive and lots of down time though.
However, I know a girl that happened to and it did eventually go away for her. So I don't want to be completely negative about the whole thing, but I don't want to give you false hope either. Its like when people say your stretch marks will eventually go away... - they fade, but they don't ever go away.
I'd like to read the other Mom's responses to this as well though. Good luck!
I completely understand what you are going through. And to top it off, the "in" styles make me look even more pregnant, when I'm not!!! So annoying. LOL. Any ways, I have lost 20lbs in about 7 months just buy cutting out all dairy in my diet. I found out my child has an allergy, that's why I cut it out, but I didn't realize how much cheese we as a house were eating. It has made a huge difference in my stomach. I of course had a lot of extra baby weight from too kids that I was dragging my feet on loosing, but when someone asked me when I was due that was my breaking point. Start small and cut dairy out for two meals a week and then work from there. I still have about 15lbs to go before I'm at the weight I'm looking to be so I have started doing aerobic classes when I can get to the gym (my gym you can just pay for the class you don't have to have a membership...really, really, really nice!). Also, now that it's summer, start taking bike rides or walks, or just go to a park and run around with your kids. I do sit ups at night when I'm watching tv, or I do leg lifts with my kids on my legs during the day; they think it's awesome (they are 3 and almost 2 years old). Good luck with it and don't get discouraged!
Hi there.
I've only had one baby...but I have several friends with multiple babies. Only one or two of these women look great... like they never had kids. But most of them have very different bodies then they did pre-multiple baby.
I know after just one my body is MUCH different. I would say that yes, a third baby could really affect your muscles that much. I mean... you grew THREE people in there! Not all at once...but over time!
My first question would be do you still have extra weight. If so, I'm guessing a lot of it is concentrated in your middle region. If not, then a couple of things could be going on. 1) stretched muscles and 2) stretched skin.
The muscles you can tone. Core exercises. Pilates, crunches (If you have an exercise ball, do these laying on the ball. The further back you 'roll' on the ball and have to come up, the more you will feel it.) In addition, making good food choices. Lots of vegetables, fruit, a good amount of protein and healthy fats.
Getting out and moving. Walking is great. You can do with your kids and the weather is nice these days for a good brisk walk. But, any extra movement will help.
If there is just stretched skin ... some of it will tighten over time.... but I hate to tell you not all of it will. That would have to be surgically repaired if you so chose.
Just remember, we do have the responsibility to make healthy choices (our bodies are not our own but The Lords). As a Christian mother, you know this already. We also need to set an example for our kids. BUT we also have to remember that our bodies will change over time and regardless we are beautiful.
I hope this helps.
Hi M. L.
I know i't hard to get rid of that tummy pooch after pregnancy or some of us have a pooch because we eat too much.
There is an awesome product called "Body Magic" that literally causes you to lose 2-3 dress sizes in 10 minutes. I have been wearing the product for a month now and LOVE it. Check it out. www.ardysslife.com/getyourslimon
I wish you well on your weight loss journey.
The breastfeeding isn't the problem. I know lots of trim nursing moms. I think it's muscle tone and possibly extra weight as well. Breastfeeding possibly makes your breasts larger but not your tummy. I'd say to cut out any junk you're eating, do sit-ups and leg lifts, and enjoy your baby. It's too soon to be weaning from my perspective at least. God bless!
Cut out dairy - it really helps. It is amazing how much weight dairy puts on a person. It sounds hard, but take little steps. Also do weight/resistance training.
Check out Fit Yummy Mummy - Holly discusses this very problem. She has a great blog with before and after photos. I have not done the workouts (just had my second 4 weeks ago) but cannot wait to start when I get the okay.
Others say give up gluten and sugar. I know, difficult.
I have absolutely been there! I had a 4 finger width diastasis after my third child and was extremely frustrated. Check out the Tupler Technique--it works.
Hi--
First, check with your doctor and make sure you don't have uterine fibroids growing out of control. I had a 6-month size abdomen, and no exercise will get rid of that! If that's not the case, I recommend either Hip Hop Abs (Shaun T, online or tv), or Latin Rhythms abs workout. I lost the 6 inches in 6 days, 10 inches in 2 weeks, and my "baby paunch" is finally going away! Good luck--
H.
