Sleep and postpartum weight

wellisawstars
wellisawstars Posts: 16 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 8 months postpartum. By 10 days after giving birth, I had lost 27 pounds to get to 219. I have been within three pounds of that weight ever since.

I am wondering what role sleep plays in postpartum weight loss. I have made great strides to eat more healthy foods and reduce my portion sizes since my son was born. I have returned to my previous activity levels (walking 3-5 miles a day). When I have attempted to restrict calories and do cardio/bodyweight exercises, I lose one pound and that is it. I have had my thyroid checked since giving birth -- all good there. I only just started logging on MFP again after a long break, so there really isn't any useful information in my diary. I eat three meals and two snacks a day.

My son has only slept through the night for a grand total of 2 weeks. He usually wakes up once (although right now he is a bit of a nightmare because he is fighting jet lag from our trip 12 time zones away). Before he was born, I got between 7 and 8 hours of consecutive sleep. I now get five hours of consecutive sleep at most, and usually five to 7 hours a night broken up into smaller chunks. When I have to get up in the middle of the night, I am not hungry and I don't snack. At most, I drink some water.

Is a lack of sleep stopping me from weight loss?

Replies

  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Unfortunately, I think this is a question for your OB/GYN. Unfortunately one week of consistent logging isn't enough for anyone here to make a judgement call on it.

    Are you breastfeeding?

    I know when I had my baby, stress from the lack of sleep seemed to be a determining factor for my eating and exercise patterns. By itself though, I don't think lack of sleep would prevent weight loss.
  • wellisawstars
    wellisawstars Posts: 16 Member
    I haven't breastfed for four months. I was extremely stressed during my son's first months of life, but I'd like to think that I have evened out since then.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    It's probably not the answer you want, but I would keep logging your food consistently for a couple more weeks and see how you do. If there is still no change, either on the scale, measurements, or in the mirror, then I might make a doctor's appointment.

    You say you've had your thyroid checked, but maybe you have some other hormone levels out of whack from being post partum. I know it's a long shot since you had the baby 8 months ago, but it might be worth your while.

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