Women who have recently given birth should not take drastic measures to fit into their pre-pregnancy clothes, experts have said.
German scientists claimed that it can take between six months and a year for women to shed the weight they put on during pregnancy and that rushing the process could be dangerous to both mother and baby.
Professor Peter Sawicki, from the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, said: 'Often, the extra effort women have to make to look after a new baby and breastfeed after giving birth means the kilos just melt away without effort.
'But for about half of all women, the weight will not go away as quickly.'
The expert pointed out that gaining weight during pregnancy is both normal and necessary as the unborn child needs to be nourished in order to grow and develop.
However, Professor Sawicki advised against 'eating for two' and said that while women need to eat enough for themselves and their baby, pregnancy should not be seen as 'a time to overeat'.
According to the Baby Centre, the average woman puts on around 24.2lb during pregnancy, although this varies greatly depending on the individual.