Although I’ll lose some of pregnancy’s pounds on delivery day, I know the arrival of my new babe will likely come with a new bod. With these nutrition tips from Stacy Denney and Kate Hodson, I might just fit back into those pre-pregnancy pants sooner than I dared hope!

Eating for Two, Again:
New-Mom Nutrition for Your New-Mom Lifestyle
by Stacy Denney and Kate Hodson

You’re delighted with your new baby but less so with your new body. This is not, however, the time to go on a diet. In any case, you don’t really need to. Know that having lost ten pounds or so at delivery, you will lose a further ten in the first two weeks of your baby’s life. After that, your overall weight loss will vary, depending on how much weight you gained during your pregnancy and how you approach your postpartum life.

As you transition into this next phase, nothing is more important than what you put into your body, especially if you are breastfeeding. Follow these basic guidelines, and you’ll develop eating habits that will support your new way of life, as well as providing the foundation for weight loss in the long run.

Drink, drink, drink.
Water that is. This is very important during the first few days after you give birth when you may be swollen, especially if you received IV fluids during your labor. At this time, you may also be losing an above-average amount of fluid. Night sweats are normal right now, as is peeing a lot, as your body releases excess fluids stored during pregnancy. Along with avoiding dehydration, water also helps to keep constipation and hemorrhoids at bay, as well as maintaining your breast milk supply. Drink at least one eight-ounce glass of water every time you breastfeed.