The link between weight loss and breastfeeding

When asked why they chose to breastfeed their infants, mothers rarely list weight loss as the first or most important reason for making that decision. The numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants are the most frequently mentioned, but the fact that breast feeding can result in faster weight loss is certainly an added benefit.

As you approach this special time in your life and your baby’s life, it is important to understand how breastfeeding affects weight loss and how to safely approach getting back to your normal weight at this time.

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Every woman’s experience is different, but the average woman gains somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy, which is a normal and safe amount of weight to gain from a medical perspective. During birth, they lose between 12.5 and 14 pounds, which leaves somewhere between 12 and 21 pounds between a new mother and her pre-pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding burns between 500 and 600 calories a day, which can help a new mother as she tries to lose the rest of the weight gained during pregnancy.

While the extra calories burned by breastfeeding can help a woman lose weight, weight loss should not be a new mother’s central concern. Give yourself at least two to three months before you begin to try to lose weight, and in the interim focus on keeping yourself healthy and adapting to life with a newborn. Your body will use a great deal of calories as it produces milk and you take care of your infant, so it is important to get enough to eat and for the food you eat to be healthy during this demanding period.

By focusing on the nutritional quality of your diet rather than the calories in each item, you will ensure that you are getting the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to recover from childbirth and to produce nutrient-rich breast milk to feed your infant. As you take care to rest and recharge, you can enjoy the opportunity to bond with your new family member. When your doctor tells you that it is safe, you can begin an exercise regimen as part of your healthy lifestyle.

As a new mother, it can be tempting to want to lose weight quickly. However, your health and well-being are just as important now as they were during pregnancy, so be patient and be realistic about what you can expect during this time.