Breastfeeding and Weight Loss

Maintaining a Healthy Size

By Gwen Morrison

Women typically gain between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancies. Breastfeeding has often been said to increase a new mom's weight loss, but don't count on it as the only way to maintain a healthy weight.

"A woman who breastfeeds burns about 500 calories a day more than they normally would, so some of the weight loss naturally happens if they don't add extra calories," says Dr. Jana Klauer, a weight loss and reduction specialist in private practice in New York City, N.Y. "Five hundred calories a day translates into losing a pound a week."

Also very helpful in returning to a pre-pregnancy weight is the fact that, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the process of breastfeeding releases various hormones that help the uterus return to its normal size.

"I'm breastfeeding my 6-month-old, and I'm now 15 pounds thinner than I was when I got pregnant," says Kathleen McKernan of Riverside, Calif. "I haven't been dieting in a traditional sense. For me, dieting demands a certain amount of mental energy. I'd rather focus my mental energy on my baby. However, I do eat primarily whole, healthy foods."

"One still needs to have an adequate caloric intake to produce milk," Dr. Klauer says. "Women lose some calcium during breastfeeding, so it is important to eat calcium-rich foods, such as yogurt and low-fat dairy products."

Dr. Klauer stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy diet while you are breastfeeding and beyond. Busy moms often forget how crucial it is to choose foods that fit the needs of both mother and child. And losing weight naturally is the safest way to return to a pre-pregnancy weight.

"I found that my figure was at its best when I was breastfeeding," says Lynette Rees from South Wales, U.K. "I maintained a good figure for the duration of the breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I put the weight back on after I stopped breastfeeding."

According to INFACT Canada, a company committed to eliminating commercial pressure to bottle-feed, the artificial feeding rate has decreased across Canada in recent years. This is good news to professionals who strive to educate moms on the benefits of breastfeeding their babies. Fitness programs being offered for moms and babies are expected to further encourage moms to stay healthy as they are breastfeeding their infants.

Want to see more?

• Striking a Balance: Healthy Eating Habits for the Nursing Mother
• Smart Nutrition for Breastfeeding Moms
• Fitness and Breastfeeding: A Winning Combination
• Healthy Weight Loss for Nursing Mothers
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