Breastfeeding -Breastfeeding and Weight Loss

• During pregnancy, an adequately nourished woman gains more weight than the total weight of the baby and the support system (mainly the placenta).
• Part of this extra weight is due to fat stores laid down during pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding.
• A breastfeeding mother consumes around 500-800 extra calories per day to produce breastmilk.
• Part of this extra energy comes from extra foods that a breastfeeding mother should eat.
• Some of the extra energy, however, comes from the fat stores laid down in pregnancy.
• Thus, a breastfeeding mother can eat more and still lose weight.
• This way, breastfeeding helps you return to your pre-pregnancy weight and shape sooner.
• No crash diets:
  • You should not diet during breastfeeding. Crash diets are always a bad idea, but especially so during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • The quality and quantity of your breastmilk will not suffer appreciably unless you are severely malnourished.
  • If your diet is deficient, your own body will be robbed of essential substances to make sure your breastmilk contains them.
• Eat and drink well, but don't overdo it:
  • You should eat some extra food to provide for some of the extra energy required for lactation. But don't overdo it! Let hunger, not habit, be your guide.
  • You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid being dehydrated. But don't overdo it! Let thirst, not a schedule, be your guide. Make sure you have a drink ready while you're nursing your baby. Often, you will suddenly feel thirsty when let-down occurs.
• If you are concerned that your baby reacts to something you eat, see the fussy baby page.

Back to the breastfeeding main page

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