LilSugar

Which Body Part Changed Most Postpartum?

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:49 -0700

The human body is an amazing work of art, especially the female form that can stretch and shrink with the birth of a child. While many moms can get back to the prebaby weight or even work their way back to abs of steel, their postpartum bodies will never be the same. A herniated belly button, stretch-marked tummies, or wide hips may be the indicators of motherhood that mommy will never be able to change. Which body part changed most dramatically for you postpartum?

We want to hear your shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful pregnancy and motherhood stories. Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar Community and share your tales and tips.

Flickr User chrisbastian44

How Long Did You Wait to Party Postpartum?

babysugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:15 -0700

It's one thing to make a coffee run so soon after having baby and quite another to doll up for a night on the town. A newborn rarely allows mommy to step away from the bassinet for longer than two hours at a time, and many mums are simply sleep deprived, which makes dressing up for a swanky soiree a low priority on the to-do list. But there's always someone out there that there that deviates from the norm.

Ellen Pompeo and hubby Chris Ivery just welcomed their wee daughter Stella on Sept. 15 and already the svelte mama was paparazzi ready at David Beckham's Originals by Originals Adidas. She rocked the blue carpet and made postpartum life look all too easy. It appears the glow of her pregnancy has carried over into motherhood for the blessed new mommy.

How long did you wait to hit the social scene after having baby?

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How Soon After Delivery Were You Up and About?

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:30:20 -0700

Up and at 'em! Forget lounging around in some old sweatpants and being waited on hand and foot after delivering a baby. New mamas are wheeled out of the hospital faster than you can say "discharge papers" and are on their feet in no time.

While some mamas opt for help from family, friends, or professional nurses once they get home, 65 percent of LilSugar readers were on their own when it came to tending to their baby. Regardless of the amount of support they receive, new moms seem to be out and about faster than ever.

Just eight days after giving birth to Sparrow James Midnight Madden, Nicole Richie was seen chasing daughter Harlow around a Beverly Hills shopping mall, and over the weekend, she went for a walk and coffee run with her boyfriend Joel Madden. How quickly were you up and about in public after delivering your lil one?

Love Handles: Ga Ga or Gag?

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:00:35 -0700

Work it mama! Mothers finding it hard to squeeze in a workout are always looking for a way to get some exercise throughout the day. While jogging strollers help provide aerobic exercise and strengthen leg muscles, they don't do much for the upper-body area. That's where Love Handles ($100) comes in. The moving bars attach to most strollers to convert the push-chairs into moving elliptical machines. The handles' resistance can be increased or decreased to control the intensity of the workout and are designed to target the user's core, doubling the number of calories burned than pushing the buggy alone. Would you try these out to help lose the baby weight?

Can Motherhood Make Us Better Athletes?

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:42 -0700

Forget Couch to 5K, maybe it should be Delivery Room to Marathon. While many postpartum mamas complain of the toll their pregnancies took on their bodies, doctors claim that the experience may make them more powerful than they were before conceiving a child. Researchers from Michigan State University and John Moores University in Liverpool have found that increases in blood volume and hormones that occur during pregnancy can improve the body's muscle strength, allowing women to excel at athletic activities.

The recent successes of mother-athletes like tennis ace Kim Clijsters, swimmer Dara Torres, distance runner Paula Radcliffe and golfer Catriona Matthew have the researchers looking at the psychological side of birth and athletics. Professor Greg Whyte, from John Moores University, speculates that the birthing process increases women's pain threshold, making female athletes even stronger than before:

"Women re-evaluate where they can anchor pain and many psychologists believe that woman’s pain threshold is effectively reset so that when she resumes or takes up training again, nothing ever seems as uncomfortable."

Did you find yourself stronger after giving birth?

Getting to Know Your Body Post Pregnancy

babysugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:18:26 -0700

"Oh, my uterus!" may sound like a laughable exclamation, but coming from someone who has uttered it, I can say I meant it. Before my first pregnancy, I was fairly clueless about my internal organs. I knew they were intact, but not quite sure what was where and what exact functions they served. Not since sixth grade health/sex ed had I paid much attention to anything aside from the obvious, but pregnancy shed new light on my own anatomy. To see what I know now, read more.

I know what it feels like to have a ligament pain in the pelvic area. I am also familiar with the shape and action of my uterus. A uterus, thankfully, shrinks back to pre-pregnancy size by contracting during breastfeeding, causing abdominal pain similar to contractions or cramps. I am more familiar with my breasts than I ever imagined I would be; they grow, nurse, heal, and shrink with every baby. I watched my linea negra form and then disappear while the stretch marks have stayed around for a long-term reminder of my bumpalicous belly days. Thankful for the babes that I've been blessed with, I will always worship my body I now know so well. Did you experience a similar learning curve?

Don't forget to join in on the mommy discussion at our fun community group - Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me!
Source: Flickr User Vikingo

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? Daddy's Wardrobe

babysugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:25 -0700

"Oh, you'll be wearing your maternity clothes for a while after you have that baby." Expectant moms don't exactly want to hear that when they've been forced to wear the same old tired threads for the past four months. Plus, most every pregnant lady dreams her body will bounce back to pre-baby shape before she even leaves the hospital. However, many moms do find solace in their partner's over-sized shirts, baggy jeans and spacious boxers.

The elastic waistband on those maternity pants is enough to make a new mom cry, especially one on a hormone roller coaster. While she may not want to attend the company Christmas party in her hubby's retired work shirts, they sure do make cozy nap time attire and the worn in jeans will make a swollen mommy weep tears of joy. Come bed time, the old man's hole ridden college tees and raggedy boxers are just what the exhausted mum needs to get a good night's (and by that I mean two to three hour stretches) sleep. Did you sport your man's clothes postpartum?

Do New Mommies Need Postnatal Clubs For Support?

LilSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Luxurious rec clubs for babies and their parents are popular in major metropolitan cities, offering Mommy and Me classes, alternative preschool programs, indoor playgrounds, and babysitting services under one roof. While some parents are willing to fork over big bucks to join this scene and give their lil ones access to exclusive classes, the facilities tend to be focused more on the children than on the people paying the bills.

A new "club" in New York City is dedicated to postpartum women. Raising Mommy was founded by an OB/GYN and an exercise enthusiast to provide postpregnancy care to new and repeat moms. For an annual membership fee of $200, members can access a schedule of postpartum fitness classes, breastfeeding support groups, nutritional counseling, and massages (all for an additional fee) in one central location. Would you join such a club?

10 Postpartum Body Surprises

LilSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:00:48 -0700

People say females are the stronger sex since they birth babies. But, are women warriors because they deal with the aches and pains of pregnancy and labor or because they can look in the mirror after delivery and deal with its physical aftermath? There are lucky mothers who end up with amazing postpartum bods, but the masses have reflections that are far a cry from their pre-baby physiques. Check out some of the common surprises.

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Get Moving Toward Your New Mom Bod!

LilSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:00:30 -0700

Motherhood brings a bit of sag and bag to places where women were firm in their pre-baby days. But, the sun's shining and Summer's in full swing so don't hold back when you hit the sand or the swimming pool for some quality family time. If you're looking to tone up prior to strutting your mama stuff, then check out these tips and tricks to a firmer postpartum bod.

How to Ensure a Safe Pregnancy Workout	Pump Iron While Pumping Breast Milk	Nine Ways to Lose the Postpartum Pounds
Swing Your Arms Into Shape on the Playground	Five Easy Ways to Exercise With the Kids	Keeping Your Kids Safe Around Exercise Equipment