The simple key to weight loss is burning more calories than you take in. Period. This is achieved by eating a little less calories than you burn through the day by regular life, and your exercise program. How many calories you should eat a day depends on your current weight, age, activity level, and so forth.
I would be happy to help-but the first things you really need to do are to decide how much weight you want to lose realistically, reasonable exercise goals to start with considering your current lifestyle and fitness level. Recipes can come later.
Are you a stay at home mother? Do you just have the one child? Do you have access to a nice place you can walk with your child in the stroller for exercise daily-like a close walkway or mall-or do you have someone else in the home who would be willing to watch your child while you do an exercise video or something every day for 20-30 minutes? These are really great things to think about in the planning stage.
I am a calorie counter. I like it personally-because while I choose healthy foods like oatmeal, fruit, vegetables, chicken, etc. most of the time-if now and then I want a sugar free hot cocoa, or some other small treat-it isn't on a "forbidden list" of foods. I just have a small portion, or a diet/sugar free version of a regular treat for less calories. I can't stick to something like Atkins where there are 10,000 foods I am never allowed to have.
I do better with the freedom of choice-but small portions.
With more information, I'd be glad to work with you in getting a plan together, and directing you toward some great parts of the forum here for your specific goals.
Aphil