For nine blissful months, you were the excited mom-to-be. Most of the time you felt great, and you were the focus of a lot of anticipation.

After all the buildup to having the baby, the excitement of the birth, and all the subsequent visits from admiring family and friends, the stress of being totally responsible for this precious new life sets in. If this is your first baby, this is especially true.

The stress, sleep deprivation and feelings of isolation can be overwhelming. Also, for the majority of new mothers, there is that postpartum belly fat to deal with.

Here are some great tips to smooth your way into being a happy new parent, turning your body into a fat burning furnace and getting your pre-pregnancy body back.

1. Take a rest. Finding time to get horizontal can be a challenge for a new mom. Make it a point to take a nap yourself whenever the baby nods off. Give yourself permission to let the housework slide a little! Lie on your left side with your knees bent. This opens your spine, helping to relieve any pain there.

2. Breathe deeply. Most people don't use a lot of their available lung area. At least three times a day, take ten very deep breaths in a row. This will get at least 20% more oxygen to your brain. You'll clear toxins from your body and increase your thinking power instantly.

3. Avoid fad diets. Don't fall for the cabbage soup diets, Sacred Heart Diets, or any other quickie diets that promise instant results. They're no good for you, or for the baby either. Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein, plus drink plenty of water. You can't go wrong, and you'll feel much better. That postpartum belly fat will soon be on the way out.

4. Make a list. You've got lots on your mind now, so it's easy to forget something. Human beings' short-term memory can remember only 7 or 8 things. Don't stress yourself by trying to force your brain to do something it isn't wired to do! Write things down for an instant stress-reduction.

5. Eat slowly. As a new mom busy with a crying baby, the temptation is to wolf down a sandwich whenever you can grab it. This is a mistake, and it can lead to digestive upset as well. Also, you may feel like you haven't really eaten - so you may be tempted to reach for sweets or greasy chips as a fill-in. Sit at the table and eat from a plate. Put down your fork between bites and chew slowly. Enjoy your food; it's much better for you than eating on-the-go.

6. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks. Both caffeine and sugar affect your blood sugar levels dramaticlly. If you are nursing, they can also affect your baby's sugar levels, making the baby jittery or cranky. The best beverage for a new mom is plain water. Reducing empty sugar calories is the best first step to getting rid of the postpartum belly fat and the loose, poochy skin that comes with it.

7. Don't skip meals - you'll be skipping the benefits of a higher metabolism. It sounds completely wrong, but you should eat more frequently than before. Just eat smaller meals. A couple of ounces of turkey, an apple and a big glass of water make a great small meal or snack. If you eat like this five or six times a day, your metabolism and sugar levels will remain consistent, keeping you energized and ready for motherhood.

8. Slowly resume exercising. Being at home with a new infant can be isolating for the new mom. Take an adult companion, put the baby in the stroller and go out for a walk. Take it easy the first few times, especially if you've had a Cesarean. As you regain strength and your doctor gives you the green light, you'll be able to begin or resume weight training and more strenuous aerobic exercise, and start heading back to your pre-pregnancy shape.

Stress and postpartum belly fat are part of the package of new motherhood. You can conquer them both. Just use common sense and follow these easy steps. You know your body the best. Listen to what it tells you. You'll know when it's time for exercise.

The new-mommy days fly by. Enjoy your new role and that new, precious little person!