Does Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight?

In an interesting study from the Journal of Human Nutrition, one doctor claims breastfeeding does in fact cause weight loss in infants. Dr. David Purdie, assistant professor at the University of Reading, UK, did a survey of 612 mothers who were full term and breastfeeding at six months. He stated that breastfeeding can help you lose weight since when mothers feed their babies with breast milk, body cells use up the fats and other calories in the daily diet as well as the milk fat and store it for future use. Dr. Purdie went on to say that babies fed formula actually gain weight and therefore should not be used by new parents.

Dr. Purdie concluded by saying that breastfeeding does indeed help a woman lose weight after the first few months. Specifically, he cited research by USDA which found that feeding infants soy formula actually increased the risk of obesity and decreased the breastmilk supply. Furthermore, breastfeeding is best done when the mother is full, because this will result in better digestion and more calories absorbed into the system. He went on to state that breastfeeding women should be encouraged to consume more fruit and vegetables.

A later article in the same journal, titled "Does Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight?," stated that more studies need to be conducted in this area. However, the author stated that the findings are promising and that many nursing mothers lost weight after starting breastfeeding. However, the weight loss came after adjustment of caloric intake, and not long term, as is the case in the infant or toddler stages of development. Further research is needed to verify these findings. Nevertheless, it appears that many breastfeeding women do indeed lose weight.

For most women, especially those with a body mass index (BMI) of about 30 or less, the effects of breastfeeding can be quite impressive. In addition to losing weight, breastfed infants tend to have much lower rates of childhood illnesses and ear infections, and are much less likely to develop allergies. Breastfed babies also tend to be smaller, with parents reporting that they can almost always see their little ones. In short, the benefits of breastfeeding to mother and child are quite clear.

If you are concerned about weight loss and pregnancy at the same time, breastfeeding could be a good choice for you and your baby. Many medical professionals recommend that nursing your baby until he or she is one-year-old to help prevent any sudden and unexpected weight loss. Breast milk is a very filling and satisfying substitute for infant formula, especially for hungry new parents who are trying to make both a healthy and budget-friendly decision for their baby.

The second reason to consider breastfeeding for you and your baby is the health benefits. Because breast milk contains the same or very similar vitamins and nutrients as a formula, it is extremely healthy for you and your baby. Although there are many studies that indicate there may be some health risks associated with breastfeeding, most agree that the benefits far outweigh the risks. As long as you follow the guidelines set forth by your doctor and stay away from spicy foods and other foods that can make breastfeeding more difficult, you are well on your way to losing weight while still enjoying the many great benefits that come from breastfeeding.

Another benefit to breastfeeding is the incredible amount of energy you will lose while nursing. Studies have shown that you can burn up to fifteen times more calories when compared to pumping breast milk. This is a wonderful advantage for mothers who struggle to lose weight or maintain their energy during the day. When you pump your own milk, you are taking all of the guesswork out of what you should be eating and what you shouldn't be. Making simple changes in your diet can really add up over the course of a week.

The truth is that women can gain weight just as much as men, especially if they breastfeed their child. However, they do not gain as much weight as many mothers who choose formula. When a woman nurses her child, she is almost always able to lose the weight that she wants to lose, especially if she chooses to breastfeed exclusively. Nursing often results in much weight loss over time, especially when a mother figures out a way to balance her nutrition between breastfeeding her child and taking in a little bit of breast milk. In many cases, this translates into losing a good bit of weight.