Does Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight?

The question "Does breastfeeding make you lose weight?" is one that many new mothers have asked themselves. And the answer isn't always a simple "yes." In fact, most nursing mothers tend to gain weight rather quickly-usually in the first six months of life.

It's no wonder that these women start wondering if breastfeeding could be their answer to being slender. The fact is, breastfeeding offers some great benefits for mother and baby. It will help you develop a stronger immune system, more calories are consumed through breastfeeding and you will shed unwanted pounds per month.

How much weight loss can you experience through breastfeeding? A study done by the Academy of General Dentistry found that, on average, nursing babies gain an average of 10 pounds per month. This may seem like a lot of weight for such a small amount of time but keep in mind that these infants usually are full term. They are still growing and are constantly changing. By feeding your baby breast milk, you are helping him or her with essential nutrition.

Not only does breastfeeding provide your newborn with much needed nutrition, it is also a great way to help your baby build up the immune system to ward off illness. It is important to note that weight loss is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms. These include fussiness, crying, slow sleeping and irritability. All of these are common indicators that your baby is suffering from exhaustion. If you think this is occurring, consult your pediatrician immediately so that you can determine if breastfeeding is the cause of your baby's fatigue.

Does breastfeeding make you lose weight? Most moms will be pleased to find out that breast milk is the absolute perfect food for baby. Compared to some other types of formula, breast milk is very high in protein and low in calories. This means that it is easier for your baby to gain weight as he or she gets older. This is great news for many women, but it can be somewhat of a disappointment for others.

The good news is that if you are breastfeeding successfully and are losing pounds per month on a regular basis, this is excellent news! You should consider this a great sign because most new mothers are extremely pleased with their weight loss and figure. It really should make you feel proud of yourself that you were able to follow through with this task even as an expectant mother. If breastfeeding is not going your way, there are other things you can do to help with weight loss such as doing cardiovascular exercise, eating healthy, and using other weight loss products.

Of course, you don't have to stop breastfeeding. Many new moms are tempted to just stop feeding their babies when they begin to lose weight. Breastfeeding is wonderful and very important, so you shouldn't ever give up. Even though you may be tempted to take your child out for a hungry bite, this is not the best approach. Babies need time to become comfortable with human milk, and they need time to become accustomed to the feel of being fed by mom. If you leave your newborn and child hungry for extended periods of time, they will develop the psychological notion that feeding by bottle is the only way they will get their required nutrition.

If you are wondering does breastfeeding make you lose weight, the answer is a resounding yes! In fact, if you are trying to lose weight as well, you will probably find that you notice a gradual loss of weight over time. If you have been breastfeeding for some time, this will be a pleasant surprise. Now go take care of your baby and enjoy the added benefit of breastfeeding.