Many women who have just had their baby are anxious to begin to take off that extra weight and get back to exercising. Keep in mind, though, that it took you 40 weeks to gain that extra weight, and that it might take another 40 to get it off. Still, there are things you can do to help during the postpartum period to help take off the weight. These include:

- Eat a nutritious and balanced diet. Especially if you are breastfeeding, it is important that your body gets all of the nutrition that it needs. Still, avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats or empty calories can help you to start to slim back down.

- Keep hydrated. Before and after you exercise, make sure you’re getting enough water. In addition, drinking 6 8 oz glasses of water a day will help with appetite control.

- Most health care practitioners recommend that you wait until at least six weeks after delivery before you restart or start an exercise regimen. In general, this is good advice; your body has just been through a rather traumatic experience, and it needs time to recover. Still, even during this period you can wal, stretch, do pelvic tilts, do yoga and do kegel exercises.

- After your health care provider gives you the OK to exercise, Focus on tummy exercises. crunches, pushups, and other toning exercises will help you loose weight where you need it most.

- Cardiovascular exercises, as well, will help with rapid weight loss.

- Make sure you are getting enough rest and relaxation. The harried life of a new mom can be stressful. This stress can lead to eating problems, and a lack of motivation for exercise.

- Hook up with other new moms for exercise. Either exercise together, or take turns watching the babies so that each of you can get some exercise time in.

- Vitamin supplements, while they are not a substitute for proper diet and exercise, can definitely aid the process of weight loss along. Use a daily multivitamin supplement that meets your daily requirements.

While advice will vary from one health care provider to the next, most health care providers recommend that you abstain from sex until after your six-week postnatal checkup. There are a variety of reasons for the wait.

During delivery, your uterus and your cervix go through tremendous changes. Accordingly, they need time to heal. Specifically, the lining of the uterus may be particularly prone to infection during this time. Not just sex but douching, the use of tampons, or the placement of anything in the vagina can introduce bacteria and cause a uterine infection. Lochia, the material that flows from your uterus after delivery, is a sign that your uterus is healing. When the flow of Lochia is not red in color any longer, it indicates that the uterus is nearly healed. This can take anywhere from three to eight weeks for most women.

A variety of things can happen during delivery that can also affect the safety of having sex after delivery. If you have an episiotomy, for example, it may require stitches. Having sex could reopen the tear and pull out the stitches. The same danger can occur if you have a vaginal or rectal tear or laceration, as well.

Other forms of sex, such as oral sex or masturbation, may be appropriate sooner. It is important that during this time, however, nothing is placed into the vagina. In addition, there is the risk of bacteria from your mate’s mouth working its way into your uterus, so stimulation should be kept mainly on the “outer” parts, avoiding penetration of the vagina, and any areas, such as the perineum, where there may have been a tear.

In addition, many women find that they have a reduced sex drive after delivery. Some women complain of pain during intercourse, even long after delivery. More common is the fear of pain that a woman may have after delivery. The use of lubricants and the woman-on-top positioning may make a woman more comfortable, and allow her to take more care with areas that may still be sensitive.

Many women who have just had their baby are anxious to begin to take off that extra weight and get back to exercising. The most important thing to remember is that you should begin to get back into a routine slowly.

Most health care practitioners recommend that you wait until at least six weeks after delivery before you restart or start an exercise regimen. In general, this is good advice; your body has just been through a rather traumatic experience, and it needs time to recover. However, even during those first six weeks your health care provider may allow you to:
- Walk. Walking is one of the most healthy forms of exercise that you can engage in. Make sure that you listen to your body; if you get winded, stop and rest. If you feel any pain, do the same. You should walk for no more than about 10-15 minutes each day, and about 3 times a week.
- Stretch. You can do chest stretching and back-stretching exercises that will help limber you back up. Be certain not to stretch to far and, again, if you feel any pain, you should stop.
- Do pelvic tilts. These will help bring the blood flowing back into your pelvic region. These are especially useful if you had any vaginal tearing or an episiotomy during the birthing process.
- Do kegel exercises. These also will help the pelvic region, and may help with hemorrhoids and pain of the perineum.
- Do Yoga. Yoga is low-impact, and will help your body with flexibility and muscle tone.

While exercising during the first six weeks, you should:
- Be cautious of leg and back exercises that may be high impact.
- Wear a sports bra for additional comfotability and support.
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat a nutritious diet, low on sugar and caffeine.

After the first six weeks your physician may release you to engage in a more rigorous exercise program. Once this happens, aerobic exercises will be best to help you lose the extra baby weight. Keep in mind that it took you 40 weeks to gain that weight, and it may take as long to lose it all as well.

Pregnant women are bombarded with advertisements for baby gear. Once your name gets on one mailing list, marketers know that they have just a short amount of time to convince you that their product is indispensable. However, there are a few items that are truly essential for your baby’s first year.

One of the most basic needs that your baby has is the need for shelter. Your baby has to have a place to eat, sleep, and keep out of the rain. To sleep, he needs a crib and a mattress. The crib should follow safety guidelines, and be sturdy and secure. You need a couple of sheets that you can cycle between cleanings. A pillow is not necessary, or even recommended.

IN addition to a place to sleep, your baby needs a place and tools to eat. By around the age of six months, you’ll want to use a highchair. You will probably want a mat to go under the highchair to catch falling foods, unless your highchair is on a floor that can be easily cleaned. Your baby will also need bottles early on, and plastic sippy-type cups later on. Once your child is learning to feed himself, plastic spoons and bowls are also extremely helpful. And, of course, baby bibs are a necessary addition to the dinner table.

You also need clothing for your child. You want to have soft clothes that are both durable and roomy. These will include some one-piece outfits (also called “onesies”), some one-piece blanket sleepers, some cotton t-shirts, leggings and pants. Diapers, either cloth or disposable, are also essential. Depending on the climate where you live, it is also a good idea to have some sweatshirts, jackets, hats and mittens. You’ll also need socks and/or booties. Shoes are generally optional during the first year; in fact, it is better for a baby learning to walk to not wear shoes.

Safety items are also essential. If you have stairs, you’ll need safety gates. For electrical outlets, you will want outlet protectors. Drawer and cupboard latches are also very helpful in keeping children out of cabinets.

Beyond these essentials, there are many things you will probably want for your baby. Toys, fancy outfits, learning aids and a variety of other products are, of course, available.