Losing Weight While Breastfeeding – The Importance Of Proper Nutrition
Losing weight is on the mind of almost every woman after she delivers her baby. She desperately wants to get back down to her pre-pregnancy weight and start wearing her old clothes. Is losing weight while breastfeeding healthy for both the mother and the baby?
You may be hearing from your mother, friends, or other concerned people it is not a good idea to start losing weight while breastfeeding. Are you really going to trust their wisdom, or are you going to listen to the real evidence and visit with your own doctor?
The facts are pretty simple. Your body needs a high amount of nutrition and water to help produce the proper amount of milk with high amounts of nutrition for your baby. Notice, no where does it say anything about you needing to eat high amounts of calories.
If you want to lose weight while breastfeeding then you need to simply use common sense. Plan on trying to lose weight slowly. Losing 1 or 2 pounds per week is the perfect amount. Slow and steady allows you to eat plenty of calories, get high amounts of nutrition, and to still lose weight.
The even better news, since you are breastfeeding your body consumes more calories and converts body fat to use in the production of milk.
Make sure you are eating a well balanced diet which includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy products, grains, and appropriate amounts of protein.
Adding in a little daily exercise is going to make the weight loss very easy while firming up stretched and abused muscles from your pregnancy. You will be amazed how fast your body can return to a normal size. Exercise is a catalyst to keeping your metabolism high making weight loss easier. Much of your change in appearance is due to muscle tone, too. By exercising gently the muscle tone improves and your shape improves, too. Check with your doctor on your exercise plan to make sure they are not recommending any restrictions.
Just keep in mind you do not want to use diet supplements or attempt to lose rapidly. Slow and steady wins. Diet supplements have the possibility of entering your breast milk. If you are considering using any kind of supplement, even if it is herbal or 100% organic you must check with both your doctor and the pediatrician first. Your baby’s safety is the first concern, not your weight loss.
What should you tell all your family members who insist losing weight while breastfeeding is not a good idea? Tell them the truth. Tell them you checked with your doctor, reviewed the facts, are getting the proper nutrition, and your baby is growing perfectly fine. When you eat the proper foods and get plenty of water your milk supply will continue to stay at the perfect amount for your baby. Go ahead and start getting your shape back, you do not need to wait until you are finished breastfeeding.
