Is it true that by breastfeeding........

Stephanie - posted on 01/27/2009

Yeah, it's been like magic for me - I've had people tell me that I'm thinner now than before having my baby. But it made my friend hungry, so she ate more.

Nicole - posted on 01/27/2009

With my son I was overweight to begin with and gained about 30lbs with my pregnancy. By 6 weeks postpartum I had lost 30 lbs. By 3 mo. postpartum I had lost 50 lbs. So 20 lbs below my original pre-pregnancy weight. It was AWESOME! However, I plateaued there and never lost any more. But, hey, I am not complaining as I was 20 lbs lighter than before I had my son. All I did was breastfeed, that was it. I didn't really even watch what I ate and ate like normal and whenever I was hungry. Now I am still breastfeeding my son, he's just over 2 yrs. old and I am pregnant with our second, almost 30 weeks. So far I have gained... URGH, 44lbs. I honestly don't feel like I am eating more than my 1st pregnancy, but I must and I do have a bad sweet tooth this time w/my daughter. URGH! I am SO hoping breastfeeding them both will do wonderful things again this time and help me shed all these extra pounds I am taking on.

Laurie - posted on 01/27/2009

breastfeeding does help knock off a few pound...however, on the flip side, breastfeeding drains a great amount of you energy and will make you hungrier. Just think of it as you are still eating for 2. beyond that, I went for walks. your kids want out of the house just as much as you do, so throw them in a stroller, or go to a park with a walking path.

Liz - posted on 01/27/2009

I found that for my first two babies, I lost most of my additional weight by three months while I was breastfeeding.  Of course my body didn't look the same as it did from before I got pregnant.  With my third baby I noticed that I wasn't really losing the weight while I was nursing.  In fact I seemed to be getting bigger even though I had cut out a lot of junk out of my diet.  When my son turned six months I went to the doctor's with him and I gained 31 lbs since my six week post pardom appointment.  It ended up being problems with my thyroid. 

Elsa - posted on 01/27/2009

Breastfeeding is kinda like working out. It will only help if you are eating portions, and sweets in moderation. You can workout all you want, but if you eat lbs and lbs of food, then you aren't going to lose anything. I would suggest eating healthy foods (which is what you need for your body while BFing), and the BF will help you lose the weight, and also your tummy tone down (as it contracts your uterus). But as long as you eat sweeties a few times a day, that may not happen.



Whatever you do, do not cut down on food as you need it while BFing. Just eat more veggies, fruits, & complex carbs such as high fibre.

Nichelle - posted on 01/27/2009

By solely breastfeeding your child, you burn 500 calories a day. So, that probably accounts for your sweet snacks. If you keep your daily intake of calories under 2,000 you'll definitely lose weight. 

Kirsten - posted on 01/27/2009

Your body requires an additional 500 calories when you breastfeed, that's even more than when your pregnant (300 calories). I weigh less now than before I was pregnant.

Amanda - posted on 01/27/2009

Yes. My son is 51/2 wks old and I've already lost all my pregnancy weight. My body isn't as firm as it was, but I can fit into some pre-pregnancy pants already. I do eat healthy, but I give all the credit to breastfeeding.

Angela - posted on 01/27/2009

Hey Marie,
I was 116 lbs before pregnancy and am now 123lbs. My daughter was born 10/15/08. I think the breastfeeding helped get me to 123lbs, but the last few pounds is lingering. I love food as well. My old trainer reminded me that building muscle burns calories. I have started doing squats with my daughter in my arms. It's helping to build some tone back into my butt and I have lost some of the softness there, although it hasn't helped with my stomach yet. My midwife said pilates and some sort of aerobic exercise is all that will help that area. I know motivation comes in short supply. I haven't had any consistent luck with this except in one instance. Every time I decide to throw a party, I kick myself into high gear. I exercise, I run around the house getting it more organized, get a hair cut, go to the dentist...basically, I take stock and make improvements. I know it may sound odd, but the normal motivators don't work for me. BTW, I don't want to fit into my pre-prego clothes. I'm a mom now. Don't I deserve to be a bit more curvy.
Cheers,
Angela

Adin - posted on 01/27/2009

Breastfeeding uses between 300 - 500 calories a day. So, after you stop breastfeeding your body will no longer be burning off those calories. But, breastfeeding doesn't burn off everything anyway. 300 - 500 calories isn't all that much when you think of it. It would be like burning off 1 piece of pizza. If you want to be fuller longer, try apples. They are good carbs that keep you fuller, faster and keep your energy going :)

Hope this helps

Kerisa - posted on 01/26/2009

I think so. I lost an additional 20 pounds from what I gained when I was pregnant but you need to still stay active. Go for walks as often as you can with your little one. That seems to help me.

Tara - posted on 01/26/2009

I'd say it couldn't hurt.  I didn't breastfeed after my first pregnancy, I fit in my old clothes in a cupple months.  I breastfed my 3 year old and was a size larger than before in 2-4 months and staied there.  My doctors both said that breastfeeding helps the uterus go back to normal, but as far as the weight I think there are too many factors to say if it helps or not.

I would like to add, on a funnier note, that while breastfeeding my waist looks much smaller due to these other things I finally have.  LOL!

Natasha - posted on 01/26/2009

It is definitely different for everyone. I have found that breastfeeding does burn lots of calories (am I the only one that gets extremely HOT while nursing?) it's not going to drop the weight off magically.

I do think that nursing moms contribute breastfeeding to their quick weightloss without thinking about all of the things that they do while taking care of their infant. And their "grown" children. LOL!

Christina - posted on 01/26/2009

I have been pregnant or nursing since April of 06. My second baby is now 5 months old and I plan on nursing until he is 12 months old. I have lost the weight, but not the flab. I notice that I am hungry all the time and eat more sweets than I usually do. When I get a chance to workout, I'm even more hungry. I think it is hard to find time to workout when you have little ones and it's hard to find time to make healthy meals, so when I'm hungry I don't always eat the right things.

Amy - posted on 01/26/2009

I have the exact same problem. After the initial weight loss, I can't seem to get rid of the last 15 pounds. From my other pregnancies, I can tell you that once I stopped breastfeeding, I lost the weight quickly. I think it is different for everyone.

Melissa - posted on 01/26/2009

I lost a lot of weight and put it down to breastfeeding. I put on 18kg (40lbs) during my pregnancy and probably took around 4 months to get back to pre-pregnancy weight. My son is now 9 months, and I am about 2kg (4.5lbs) below pre-preg weight, which is in the zone that it is really difficult for me to normally lose. My clothes are a bit big around the waist, but I don't want to buy new ones as I don't think it will last!

I eat more than normal, but not as much as when pregnant. You also have to remember that everything you eat goes to the baby, so you don't want to fill up on junk as that is what the baby will be getting in the next feed.

Chelsie - posted on 01/26/2009

I definitely think it helps. My first daughter I only breastfed for 5 weeks. I never lost the weight. I've breastfed my other 2 daughters and lost ALL of the weight and am so thankful. You can still eat desserts and eat yummy food. Also, it makes a little exercise go a long way. So that's an extra bonus too!

Whitney - posted on 01/26/2009

If you are breastfeeding full-time you should be burning about 500 calories a day. If you make healthy food choices (don't skimp on food because you need the extra calories), it can definitely help you get back in shape! My son is 11 months now, and I didn't start losing the weight until he was about six months old. Now, I'm 15lbs lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight!

Mairead - posted on 01/26/2009

Breastfeeding affects all women differently. I put on weight when I started breastfeeding, I have one friend who has lost weight and another friend who has gone straight back to her pre-pregger weight. It takes a lot of energy to breastfeed and that may be why you're still really hungry all the time. If I were you, I would talk to a health professional about the benefits and myths of breastfeeding, they should be the most up-to-date with medical research. 

Tanya - posted on 01/26/2009

I think it totally depends on the person. I breastfed my daughter and within 2 months of having her I was down to 10lbs less than my pre-pregnant weight... and I certainly wasn't cutting back on calories... in fact I think I was eating more than when I was pregnant. I don't know that this is the norm though... I have also heard of women who suddenly loose a bunch of weight when babe is 6 or 7 months old.
I am still breastfeeding (she is now 11 months) and am easily keeping the weight off. I am not eating as much now though and I walk everyday.

Renee - posted on 01/26/2009

It's definitely not the fastest way back to pre-pregnancy clothes, but breastfeeding can definitely help shed pounds. Just think that while Baby gains weight from the milk you produce, the calories have to come from somewhere. However, there still has to be a "negative" somewhere, meaning you have to take in less calories in order to lose weight. If you're eating as many calories as you use up in breastfeeding, there won't be any weight loss. 

It's been almost 9 mos. since I delivered and I have about 4 pounds to go to my pre-pregnancy weight (gained 35 lbs). I have not exercised and I have only recently been watching what I eat more closely.  

Silla - posted on 01/26/2009

Yeah! Breastfeeding helps so much. My baby is 4 1/2 months old and I am still breastfeeding. I am down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I eat TONS of sweets, I seem to crave more now then I did while I was preggo. I haven't excercised at all either... no time!! But, breastfeeding takes about 500 calories a day!!

Heather - posted on 01/26/2009

i've heard as long as you keep your callaries down (not to low though) you will loose weight as you breastfeed