Many mamas want to begin exercising and losing the weight gained while pregnant once the baby is born. Can you diet while breastfeeding? Here’s some information for you about this.
A breastfeeding mother needs on average 2,000-2,500 calories. They also need to drink when thirsty, making sure they are getting enough fluids, especially in the hot summer months.
While breastfeeding we need to make sure we are eating healthy and eating enough of the right foods such as vegetables, fruits, and proteins. Also, it is not recommended to start any weight loss program until at least 8 weeks postpartum so that your breast milk supply is well established. And, of course, we encourage you to speak with your medical care provider prior to beginning any weight-loss program.
Diet While Breastfeeding
Now, if you’re like me, once you have that knowledge, you want to know how to diet while breastfeeding! There are actually many ways to lose weight – many diets, books, training programs, classes and DVDs you could watch, buy and in which you could participate.
However, here at Breastfeeding Place, we encourage you to do some research and find a method that makes sense for your lifestyle. Because, let’s face it! Rarely does the weight just fall off – it’s something that we must work towards, which means we have to be able to implement whatever methods we choose.
We also encourage you to be wary of any diets that emphasize and make allowances for any foods that aren’t in their original form – or as close to it as possible! Eating those treats filled with sugars and processed ingredients may seem like a good idea in the moment, but you know how the saying goes:
A moment on the lips, forever on the hips!
It’s catchy and so true, right, ladies? So let’s do ourselves and our nurslings a favor and eat wholesome, real foods that nourish and nurture – and even taste good!!
Some fellow authors’ blog about what is actually good for our bodies:
- Intoxicated on Life
- Growing Up Triplets
- Raising The Barrs
- Happy Healthy Mama <—- Psst! That’s me!
Keep Your Eye on the Prize
After the birth of my 10th child, I knew it was time to start losing weight. I had gained a lot of weight with my pregnancies over the years and felt I was unhealthy. I wanted to be as healthy as I could for my new baby and other children. I begin to research weight loss programs and the cost of each and if they were safe for nursing mamas. I found that most weight loss programs should not be done while breastfeeding and are not cost effective. I was determined and so I kept at it and my efforts were well worth it.
I found one weight loss program that is safe for nursing mothers and waited until I was eight weeks postpartum before I began. The goal is to change unhealthy habits for healthy habits. It was incredibly tough, but I was able to lose 100 lbs. – great success, right?!
Whatever weight loss program you choose, make sure you are eating healthy and getting enough calories to keep up your supply and that your baby is getting all of the nutrients he/she needs, also.
I think it is awesome that you were able to lose 100 lbs on weight watchers. Still, I believe that dieting is not a good idea while breastfeeding, especially because most people consider “dieting” to be watching calories and cutting out food groups. I do support maintaining a healthy diet, which when done correctly will almost always lead to weight loss (if a person needs to lose weight). I feel that weight loss shouldn’t be the goal, but that mother’s should make her goal to eat the best way possible to nutritionally supply their newborn infants.