Women all over the world are so preoccupied with body image that many new mothers are eager to lose their pregnancy fat right after they give birth. New mothers may wonder whether they can safely diet while they are breastfeeding a baby. Since a baby is hundred percent dependent on the mother for its nutrition, some of them wonder whether dieting may harm the baby's development.
The truth is that breastfeeding and weight loss can go hand in hand. Breastfeeding actually helps in losing pounds. In fact, nature stored all that fat in preparation for lactation. When breastfeeding is done properly, the fat is burned to produce milk, ensuring a faster return to pre-pregnancy weight.
Although breastfeeding is good for losing weight, there are some things to be considered before starting a diet program.
Wait Until the Baby is Two Months Old
Jumping on the diet wagon immediately after the birth of the baby may adversely affect breastfeeding. Waiting for two months ensures that milk supply is established properly. The mother's body needs to produce enough milk to satisfy a baby who will have growth spurts at one week, three weeks and six weeks.
The two months will also give enough time for the body to recover from all the stress of pregnancy and childbirth.
Eat a Minimum of 1500-1800 Calories per Day
Most women need an extra 200-500 calories more than their normal calorie intake while they are breastfeeding. This is why some mothers find that they are dropping pounds even when they are eating what they used to eat prior to pregnancy. Dieting or controlling the calorie intake is okay as long as the calorie intake is at least 1500-1800 calories per day. Going below that may affect the milk supply.
Liquid diets, low carb diets, weight loss medication and other quick-fix solutions should be avoided while breastfeeding. They are not healthy for the body and definitely not for the baby.
Lose Weight Gradually
Experts are of the opinion that breastfeeding moms can safely lose about one to two pounds per week. Anything more than that will affect the milk supply. While some studies have shown that short-term dieting does not impact the milk supply, it is always a good idea lose the pounds gradually. After all, all that weight was gained over a period of nine months, so it will take nine to 12 months to lose the same.
Instead of skipping meals, distribute the calorie intake through out the day by eating six meals or three meals and three nutritious snacks. When meals are skipped, the body hangs on to what body fat it has by slowing down the metabolism and it becomes more difficult to lose the pounds.
Keep Fit by Doing Moderate Exercise
Besides helping in losing all those pounds, moderate exercise has a lot of advantages. Exercise helps in building the muscles and fighting postpartum depression, and the increased energy levels are particularly handy while rocking a colicky baby through the night.
Most doctors advise against starting a vigorous exercise regimen until the six-week postpartum check up. This gives the body time to heal.
Losing all that baby fat is certainly possible, but following a healthy meal plan and an exercise program ensures that the milk supply and the mother's body are not affected.
Source:
1. La Leche League International
Mariam Anthony - I am a graduate in engineering but chose to work in the financial industry. I worked for five years as an asst. manager in a scheduled ...
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