Postpartum - Tummy Questions

Hi J.! I had a baby 10 mos. ago, and my linea negra (dark line down my middle) didn't go away FOREVER! In fact, I can still faintly see it. I don't think my husband has noticed it for awhile though. I would say that it was mostly gone when my daughter was 7-8 months old or so! As for the Flat Belly Diet, I haven't heard of it. I am just trying to exercise like crazy! Good luck!

~~S.

Hi J.,
I don't know about the Flat Belly Diet but I did have the dark line on my stomach. It didn't fully go away for almost a year. My doctor said there was nothing to worry about ---it is a pigment change from pregnancy and can just be a little stubborn:)
Good luck with your other question.
C.

I asked my OB/GYN about the dark line, because I too wondered when it would go away. She said, "Oh, after my babies, I just scrubbed it off with a toothbrush!" It turns out that line is a little like a suntan, and if you exfoliate the area, it will come off quickly. I washed my belly/belly button every time I showered simply with a washcloth, and it was gone in no time!
For me, the weight is a much bigger problem...Please share some info about this Flat Belly Diet!

Hi J.,
You have great postpartum questions I have to say each woman is unique and for you it may be dif, but I found that from 6 weeks on the dark line down the tummy starts to fade its may take a few more mo's but with in 9 mo's it should be completely gone.
About your second question I have not heard of the Flat Belly Diet. I will tell you what worked wounders for me and a couple of friends too.... After we had our kids we incresed our food intake by 500 cal.'s while breast feeding / pumping. Continued to breastfeed anywhere from 4-12 mo's. Then just kept eating healthy, drinking lots of water and takeing the prenatal vitamins . It may take a year to get back down to your previous wt. But it really works.
Best of Luck and Congragulations on your new arival!

In some people the dark line never goes away. This would be especially if you had sun exposure while you were pregnant, which can cause the skin pigmentation to darken. Also it is usually darker if you have a darker skin tone naturally. It does tend to fade though. My daughter is 10.5 months and I can still see mine if I look closely but just in the mirror not really. I doubt anyone else would even notice.
The other question I have no idea :-P. The nine months up nine months down held true with me though and I haven't done any exercising or special dieting. Breastfeeding is the only thing and I fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans!

I saw this diet on the Rachael Ray Show. I am planning on trying it after my baby is born. Let me know if you try it!

Hi, J.!

Just remember it took 9 months to have your baby, and it will take at least that to get "back to normal". Don't worry about still having a tummy right now. It has only been two months, but continue to eat right and excersise and if by the time your baby has their first birthday and you still feel like you need to try a diet, my OB told me to make sure I got a lot of protein and to cut back on carbs. I weigh less now after three kids than I did when I graduated high school, but I play volleyball three nights a week, tournaments all day Saturdays once a month, chasing my kids around, adn probably vacumming at least once a day keeps me skinny. I don't diet either. I eat whatever I feel like, but because I am so active I can. Find an activity that you enjoy and it work feel like work to excercise.

I had my baby girl about 4 1/2 months ago. When I saw your post, I was curious as to if my line had gone away yet - I hadn't looked for awhile. Turns out it isn't there anymore! I know it was still there at 3 months b/c I remember wondering the same thing. Hope that helps narrow it down a bit.

J.-

Don't forget it took 9 months to have your little miracle so give yourself time to return to your former size. My brown tummy line took sometime to disappear but it did - completely and 4 times! The area around my belly button took the longest.
I did start exercising again and soon as i was able,and i got the OK from my doctor and I took it easy at first. Are you nursing? if so you will notice it does help things begin to constrict inside.

I have not heard of the flat belly diet. This is what i use to help stay fit, A protein/ fiber shake every morning, Tae- bo videos and running when possible- i also used a great creame on my belly to help the skin . Plus I remembered that during my normal day I was working my body simply taking care of my baby and all the household needs.

I'd be happy to give you more info on the exact products I use if you are interested.
Congrats on your little baby girl. I have 4 little girls and they are amazing!
Kathy
____@____.com

Hi J.! I remember having the same question about the linea negra (or whatever its called). Mine is just now totally gone and my little one will be 9 m/o next week. I was told it can take up to a year! But it will go away so don't worry. I can't help you on the diet - haven't heard of that one but I'm sure some other moms have!

My dark line took about 6 months or so to FULLY go away. (I couldn't believe it took that long!) Toward the last month or so, I really scrubbed around the belly button area because I just wanted it to go away!

My daughter is 5 months and I still have a lovely dark line down my middle. So obviously, not in a few months. I also have tiger stripped belly... so I'm waiting for those to fade as well.

I can't help on the diet question. I've never heard of it... I've just been trying to eat healthy and do exercise: some aerobic and then yoga for strength training.

I had a very dark line with our first born and it took about 8 months for it to completely go away. I am now due with twins and don't have the line at all. (this is two years later) My stomach took about that long at least to get back to "normal" after the birth of our first. But still had some lumpy areas that seemed they might be working themselves out. Just continue to eat right, exercise when you can and love the fact that you are new mom with a beautiful girl!

maybe you should tell us what the flat belly diet it, i'd love to try it!

It can take a while for that mark to go away I guess. I have a 6 month old boy and the line is finally gone but is still brown around my belly button. Is getting better though. My dr said that is completley normal. Some people it takes longer than others. It will eventually go away.