Breast Feeding and Weight Loss - Sedona,AZ

Updated on April 06, 2010
D.G. asks from Sedona, AZ
20 answers

Is it true that when you're beast feeding, you keep on a few extra pounds until you stop breast feeding all together?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.O.

answers from Phoenix on

I breast fed my daughter for a month and had to stop due to medication concerns and I did not lose weight until after I stopped. I did not breast feed by second baby (now 4 months old) at all and I lost weight pretty quick. I started Weight Watchers to lose the last 10 lbs.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from Phoenix on

No! I breastfed 4 kids and I lost weight quickly after each birth while breastfeeding and as soon as I stopped....I gained weight...each time!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree that everyone is different.In my case, I lost all my baby weight and then some due to breastfeeding. I started pumping after two months to prepare myself to go back to work after 3 months of leave. I produced enough milk to feed two babies and I beleive that's why I lost so much weight. It's all basic math when it comes to looosing weight. You burn about 300-500 calories per day for breastfeeding and if you eat sensible meals and drink tons of water the weight will come of.
I wanted to loose more after I stopped nursing and I just sticked to the plain old rule - eat unprocessed food w/ always one portion of carbs, protein and veggies and keep your portions to your toddlers plate size. Do not skip meals, if you grave sugary drinks keep them to your toddlers cup size or have a handfull of chocolate raisinets or dark chocolate in your purse or any other sweet but just remember 1/4 cup is not the whole bag! Restaurants, order an appatizer and skip all the entries if you do not have any one to split you rmeal with. Here in USA, we eat way-y too much food!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Des Moines on

i lost about 20lbs in 2 weeks after having my son then until i stopped breastfeeding i lost nearly nothing. after i stopped breastfeeding at 13 months i lost another 20lbs without trying. started working at the rest and lost a few more lbs before getting pregnant again so of course weight loss has stopped for now. but it was true for me that i couldn't lose the weight within the first year. i gained 60 with my son and at 21 weeks have only gained 10 on this baby:) good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Detroit on

Not for me, by the time my son was 6mths, I was about 8lbs smaller than I was before I got pregnant and I wasnt really exercising just BF...I gained 60lbs while pregnant.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Tucson on

I lost a huge amount of weight very soon after my daughter was born - like 20lbs in 2 weeks! And she was breast fed until 14 months. I held onto about 5 lbs until she was about 8 months and then I went about 10lbs below my pre preggers weight! Because breast feeding takes more calories I felt like I was eating all the time but never gained anything!
And of course the 5 or so lbs that I held for a while were definitely added to my bust! And that area has shrunk back down - but just a little.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I think everyone is different. While breastfeeding my twins, I lost all of my baby weight, as well as 28 more pounds.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.

answers from Houston on

Yes - with both kids I kept on 5-10 pounds and then lost it within a week or 2 after stopping breastfeeding

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.E.

answers from Phoenix on

Everyone is different. I didn't lose the last 5-10 pounds until after I stopped. Don't worry about weight or what happens with anyone else. Enjoy this time becuase it goes fast.

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

Not for me. I get very skinny while breastfeed. I do watch what I eat at first but then because I am still burning so much I continue to keep all the weight off. Like with my 2nd when I stopped BF I weight 107lbs. Now that I have been done BF for about 2 months I am around 109 or 110. For me I always gain a few pounds back after I'm done because I'm not burning so much.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.U.

answers from Santa Fe on

No, breast milk is made of primarily fat, the extra fat you stored while pregnant was for this purpose. I too, got real skinny especially after 6 months (I breastfed 12-14 months each, for my 3 kids) Plus I found I was able to eat more cheese and rich foods and still lose weight. It's win-win! I was getting back to my normal daily exercise routine too, so if you do both - "hello skinny jeans"!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Flagstaff on

Actually the other is true. Breast feeding helps you to loose more weight than not. Plus, it is so much better for your baby.

J.S.

answers from Chicago on

I could see if you were a normal weight to begin with, that could be the case.

Everyone is different. With my last pregnancy, I was down to my prepregnancy weight at my 6 week check up and lost 40 lbs within 7-8 months afterwards doing Weight Watchers while breastfeeding.

But, I was overweight to begin with.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have heard everyone is different. With my 1st that wasn't ture but I am hinking it will be this time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.H.

answers from Phoenix on

As far as my experience went, no because I gained weight once I stoppped. While breastfeeding I excercised (jogging mostly) but did not count calories or paid any attention to what I ate. I did make sure I was eating plenty of protiens but had a major sweet tooth. I actually got down to about 5lbs less than my pre-pregnancy weight. At the time I stopped breastfeeding I had also stopped running due to a knee injury. I also didn't change my sweet tooth eating habits and I gained 15lbs!
Whatever you decide to do, don't stop breastfeeding because you are worried about your weight. It is so beneficial for your baby and once your little one is ready to stop, then you can worry about your body.
I was in the process of reversing those lbs when I ended up getting pregnant again. This time, I know that I will need to change my eating habits once my baby is ready to be off the boob :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

It depends on the person and what her "set point," or comfortable weight was before she got pregnant. Many mothers lose weight easily while breastfeeding because lactating burns 500 to 600 calories a day, but many mothers have to add healthy exercise and eat carefully to lose the last bit of baby weight. (Personally, after my first I reduced my saturated fat intake and was as thin as I'd been since high school. After my second, it took a full year to get back to my pre-baby weight and I needed to exercise and avoid cupcakes more diligently! Same with my third, but the bulk of the baby weight peeled off within the first 6-7 months from breastfeeding. Just cookie and cupcake weight left ;)
Consider contacting your local La Leche League Leader for free, medically-accurate information about breastfeeding. LLL has saved my sanity dozens of times! It's such a terrific community service! They usually have books that are free for anyone to borrow. I recommend "Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding." You can find your nearby LLL contact at www.lllusa.org. Meetings are fun and low-key and are a good way to meet other nursing moms with babies the same age as yours.
Best wishes!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Chicago on

I did not lose the weight with my son until I started Weigthwatchers. I still ahve 10 lbs to go, but I am less now than I was when I got pregnant. WW has a calculation for breast feeding moms. It just makes you eat better and healthy eatting is what you want your kids to see you do. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

nope i am breastfeeding and have been for 9 months and i am 10 pounds lighter then when i started. i weight what i did at 22. i was quite happy with my weight before i got pregnant. most women i know where there thinnest about 3 months after starting breastfeeding till about 6 months after they finished

Updated

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.M.

answers from Atlanta on

my baby just turned 1 and i am still nursing her. i weighed 140 when i got pregnant and i am still hanging out around 150-152. i lost a whole lot initially but am holding on to this last little bit. my mom did the same thing. once she stopped nursing us completely the rest of her weight fell off in 3-4 wks. hoping this is the case for me as well but i am not overly concerned with it. i am happy with my body (although i could def loose a little weight) and so is my husband and most importantly...i am still loving this special time with my baby. i will deal with the weight later. she wont be little forever. i have the rest of my life to be skinny if i choose to do so. :)

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Personally, I lost a ton of weight while breast feeding. I think I weighed less then I did before getting pregnant by the time I stopped. However, I did put some back on after I stopped.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions