By: Laura Bennett
Updated: Feb. 8, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 30, 2023
During my first pregnancy, I gained over 40 pounds, and it wasn’t solely due to the baby or water retention. After giving birth, I found myself with an additional 25 pounds on my 5-foot-2-inch frame. While I was certainly not thrilled about this, I had been nursing my baby and had heard that breastfeeding could help shed the pounds quickly.
I distinctly remember a conversation I had with a friend who was breastfeeding her daughter. “I burn 500 calories a day just by nursing!” she exclaimed. She looked fantastic, showcasing a slim figure just weeks after delivery. However, my experience was quite different. Sure, I had the fuller breasts and was producing milk like a pro, but the weight wasn’t budging. In fact, I was constantly famished. After experiencing intense pregnancy cravings, breastfeeding made me feel ten times hungrier.
For the first nine months postpartum, I didn’t lose a single pound. I didn’t put in much effort either; my hunger was relentless, and I felt lightheaded if I didn’t snack every few hours. Exercise was limited to short walks to calm my fussy baby. I naively believed that the weight would naturally disappear, regardless of my actions.
It wasn’t until my son started eating solids and breastfeeding less frequently that I finally began to lose weight. This process only started after I consciously made an effort to reduce my calorie intake and incorporate exercise. It was a gradual journey that began when he turned nine months old, but by the time he was 18 months, I was lighter than I had been before my pregnancy, all while still nursing.
Since then, I’ve worked with numerous breastfeeding mothers as a volunteer breastfeeding counselor and later as a lactation consultant. I can confidently state that while weight loss during breastfeeding isn’t a myth, it varies significantly among women.
Some mothers find that the idea of “breastfeeding helps you lose weight” holds true for them. They can eat freely, and the pounds just melt away. Conversely, I’ve encountered women who gain weight while breastfeeding, often not shedding the excess until they wean or their babies grow older.
Then there are mothers like myself who have to wait until their little ones are older and their appetites decrease before they can consider cutting calories and exercising.
These variances can be attributed to individual biology, hormonal responses, and lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep patterns, and dietary choices. In some cases, if a mother is losing weight too rapidly or gaining excessively, it may be wise to check her thyroid function. Conditions such as postpartum thyroiditis can disrupt metabolism and overall health.
For those who, like me, need to make dietary or lifestyle adjustments to lose weight, it’s important to know that most changes are safe while breastfeeding. Extreme diets, such as liquid diets or severe calorie restrictions, are not advisable, and low-carb diets are generally best avoided. However, reducing calorie intake gradually and adopting a reasonable diet plan can be effective. The same principle applies to exercise; gradual increases in activity are recommended.
Ultimately, every mother’s experience is unique. If losing weight while breastfeeding feels impossible for you, know that you are not alone. It will happen in time, and remember that there are numerous benefits to breastfeeding beyond weight loss.
Having a bit of softness in your body can be nurturing for your baby. Our curves can serve as natural supports for our little ones, and they love us just as we are. This connection is what truly matters, not the numbers on the scale.
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In summary, while breastfeeding can encourage weight loss for some, it does not guarantee quick results for everyone. Individual biological responses, lifestyle choices, and hormonal changes play significant roles in how a woman’s body reacts postpartum. Each journey is unique, and it’s essential to focus on health and well-being rather than just the scale.