Weight loss during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is best for moms and their babies for several reasons.

• One reason is that breastfeeding may help you lose the weight gained in pregnancy. Women who breastfeed exclusively for more than 3 months lose more weight than those who do not.
• Breastfeeding can also help to protect your baby against becoming sick.
• For more reasons breastfeeding is best for you and your baby, click here.

Follow your MyPyramid Plan for Moms to choose the right amount from each food group. In addition, visit your health care provider while you are breastfeeding.

Your provider can keep track of your weight and tell you if you are losing weight as you should. If you are losing weight too slowly or too fast, change the amount you are eating:

• If you are not losing weight or losing too slowly, cut back on the calories you are currently eating.
  • The best way to eat fewer calories is by decreasing the amount of “extras” you are eating.
  • “Extras” are added sugars and solid fats, in foods like soft drinks, desserts, fried foods, cheese, whole milk, and fatty meats. Look for choices that are low-fat, fat-free, unsweetened, or with no-added-sugars. They have fewer “extras.”
  • Click here for more information about “extras.”
  • Alcohol is also considered an “extra,” but the Dietary Guidelines recommend that breastfeeding women not drink alcoholic beverages.
• If you are losing weight too fast, you need to eat more calories. You can do this by eating a little more from each food group.