Does Weight Loss Plateau at 2 Weeks Postpartum?

Oh my gosh! For females, weight loss hits plateaus regularly. It's disgusting! Unfortunately, everything I've seen says to just keep working and eventually you'll pass the plateau....so NOT helpful!!

It took 9 months to put on the weight, so it should take time for the weight to come off. Continue the good eating habits and be patient - you just create another human being so give yourself a break.

You are 2 weeks post partum and you have time to worry about all the weight you gained over 9 months???? You need to give yourself a break, eat what is yummy and nutritious and not worry about it for now. Also, I am pretty sure your caregiver will not ok exercise except for moderate walking until 6 wks postpartum.
But since you are nursing a baby every 2-3 hours, and then sleeping when she sleeps (I hope!), trying to do some laundry and maybe take a daily shower, there is probably not much time for extended walks.
If you are really concerned, please talk to your ob/gyn or doctor about it- they will tell you what is "normal". Take care and enjoy that new baby!

Also, for some GREAT laughs and new perspective, read "The Grilfriends Guide to the First Year" by Vicki Iovine.

That sounds about right, I lost 30 pounds after my first within the first 2 weeks but had gained 63 and lost 25 after my second and had gained 45.

so it all depends on your body......the breastfeeding will help with the pounds as well, but it wasn't as much as I thought it would be.

Good luck and congratulations
K.

One to two pounds weekly is healthy weight loss for a woman, especially since you are BFing. I found that I was back to my pre-preggo weight by week 12, with no more effort than eating healthy. However, even if your weight goes back to what is was, don't expect to look the same. That is what surprised me. My hips have not gone back to wear they were before, although I am now (three years later) about 10 pounds lighter than before I got pregnant. And my bust is still bigger, even though everyone warned me that my bigger boobs were "just loaners." I can totally identify with your control issues--having a baby means there is so much of your life you can no longer control, and I also sought things I could control just to ease that feeling of being so out of control and crazy. Of course, I didn't seek to control my weight; I took out my control issues on my poor hubby, bossing him around like a servant. Thankfully, he called me on it and we worked through it easily. We laugh about it now...Keep enjoying the baby, keep stress to a minimum, and the weight will fall off...

I think this is completely normal. I lost weight fairly fast for the first three weeks(lost 19 of 30lbs) and now nothing (currently 6 weeks postpartum). In fact I think I lost i too fast because I felt like I was SO hungry all the time until I gained 3 lbs back. Since gaining those back I have lost them again at about 1lb per week. In reality, it shoud take 6-9 months to lose the weight if you are maintaining good nutrition for breastfeeding (500 kcal per day above your base calorie need).

Breastfeeding does seem to help shed the pounds. Just remember it took +/- 40 weeks to put the weight on and for most women it may take about the same to take it off. Once you get the green light to start working out again - I suggest start taking walks everyday with your new little peanut and you'll still see a difference. Good luck and if you continue to eat healthy and get regular excercise it will come off :)

Breastfeeding burns about 1000 calories per day. Not sure how old your babe is. The 15 should go within 3-6 months of enjoying your sweet baby, breastfeeding, brisk walking and great nutrition. Relax and enjoy these precious moments.

Hi there

I would give it more like 2 months before worrying about the weight loss having some sort of plateau. While breastfeeding I actually found it hard to maintain weight about a month after giving birth until I stopped so just be patient with your body eat well and enjoy your new baby :)

L.

Exactly.

With my twins, I lost 31 lbs in the first 2 weeks and then took about 7 - 8 months to take the last 17 lbs off gradually, about 1 - 3 lbs a month. Don't worry. It will happen. Just add activities back in gradually ... walks, etc. And if your gym has childcare, take advantage! It is usually really inexpensive compared to a babysitter, often really good, and you can get a break and a workout in!

PB&J, I think you're doing great. Losing 40 pounds in two weeks is asking a bit much. You've already lost half. Since you are nursing, your body will be burning more calories so just be patient. Eat healfully, no junk, exercise as much as you can. Even just non impact stretching of your arms and shoulders or simple leg lifts if you can tolerate them. Once you can begin to be more mobile, in combination with nursing, I think you'll find you will lose the weight more easily than you think. It won't happen overnight, neither does growing a baby. Eat sensibly and don't cut out calories for healthy foods like protein, vegetables and fruits and grains.
In another two weeks you should see a difference. It's a process.

Best of wishes and congratulations on your little one.

The rest of the weight will come off in time. I swam almost every day during my pregnancies and I still gained 50+ with each of my girls, but losing it was no real effort since I was breastfeeding. Just be patient. Your body is just now settiling out hormone levels and such, and all the stretching of the insides takes about 6 weeks to get back to 'normal'. Just continue to eat healthy foods and enjoy your baby. Once you are cleared for excercise (about 6 weeks), start going for walks with your new little princess, it will be good for both of you. You should be back at your starting weight in about 6 months, until then don't stress over it. Stress can actually make you gain weight, so really just relax and enjoy your new little bundle!

give yourself at least 9-10 months, by then baby will be nursing a lot of calories from you and your body and hormones will be closer to back to normal, I was back to just 5 lbs over at 10 months with my first , those last 5 were the hardest to lose and I still haven't but that's okay

whatever you do do not diet... your fat cells have just expanded to 6 times their regular size and are just waiting for an excuse to stay that way (dieting is one of those because your body will think it is in famine mode).
A realistic approach is to think that you will be back to your "normal" weight within 9 months to a year if nursing the entire time.
I have had 2 children and gained 45lbs with each pregnancy and lost all of the weight that I gained while pregnant around the 10 month mark. NO special diet, just eating healthy meals and taking a walk with my kids 2 or 3 times a week. NO crazy workout routines (with 2 little kids who really has that kind of time?)
Like you the first 20lbs came off within the first few weeks but the rest was much slower.
See if your local library carries the book- Hello Baby, Goodbye Fat -it is an interesting look at what happens post pardum while nursing and explains everything very well. hth

http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Baby-Good-bye-Fat/dp/0688175783

Yes, my weight loss did pateau just like yours. I also lost about 20 pounds immediately and was very happy. To only have 15 to 20 more to lose two weeks after childbirth is great! The rest will come off gradually, I'm sure.