Can I diet while breastfeeding?

Question

My baby is now 6 months and has started solids and nurses less often, is it possible to go on a low calorie diet?

Answer 1

Absolutely! The baby has already received the necessary immunization through breast milk against sicknesses, and the formula you are probably using has lots of added nutrients. My son began getting teeth at four months! My breast feeding was cut short, but I continued to pump for a month or so. He was ready for soft boiled eggs and rice cereal a little before six months. People have a tendency to forget that babies are not aliens, they're babies! Before formulas, before cereals, babies got their first foods the way a baby bird does: it's simply prechewed by the mom! Consult with your pediatrician for his first foods, and be sure to get rest, excercise and plenty of greens, yellows and fruit for you. The pounds will melt off, so put him in the stroller and head out!

Answer 2

Yes you can, but it cant be drastic weight loss. No more than 2 lbs. per week. Weight Watchers has a great plan for breastfeeding mothers that helps you to get enough of the proper nutrients you need to keep your milk supply up but yet still loose weight. Actually they are the only ones that do. All the others say you have to stop breastfeeding first. When I started to diet, my milk supply just stopped pretty quickly, but by then my son was only nursing 3 times per day, so I think my body just said enoughs enough. It helped wean him!

Answer 3

Yes, you can diet while breastfeeding!! It is not a good idea for the first couple of months while you are both still learning how to do it (even with a second, third...or even sixth baby, a mother has to learn how to nurse *this* particular one!!). Since your baby is already older, it's certainly not a problem.

I would recommend you read _Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding_ by Eileen Behan, R.D. The information is excellent--even if you *don't* want to lose weight and *aren't* nursing, but it is really perfect for what you are looking for.

Answer 4

It isn't safe to diet while breastfeeding. If you want to diet, wean your child before you start. Think about it this way, whatever you eat your baby eats when you breastfeed. So, when you cut calories, your baby will receive the same nourishment that you are if you breastfeed. I would ask a doctor or midwife on this. Contact La Leche, they are a company that can help with this answer. They specialize in helping breastfeeding mothers.

Answer 5

Yes you can. The best way to diet is to exercise moderately and eat well and take a prenatel vitamin. I eat one meal a day and walk about a mile a day and I am losing 10-15 pounds a month and I am nursing a 4 month old. I take a prenatel vitamin with it.

Answer 6

Talk to your doctor about what your diet will consist of specifically. If all you're doing is decreasing fat content, then I see nothing wrong with it. Just don't do anything drastic like low-carb or low-calorie. Your baby needs nutrients. If you're set on doing some crazy diet, then feed your baby formula. You don't want to risk it. What you eat is what your baby eats.

Answer 7

I think its still more important to focus on balance rather than calories. Baby is still probably using 300 -500 calories from milk and needs you to stay well nourished. Exercise may be the key to a loss of inches through tonning.

Answer 8

Yes you can but my doctor said that you are supposed to eat 500 calories more than normal when you are breastfeeding. Just eat well and try to exercise. Doing lots of cardio will help shed those pounds.

Answer 9

It's better to just concentrate on eating healthy than low cal. If your eating a good, well balanced diet that's better for you body than just eating low calorie anyway. Make sure your still drinking plenty of water.

Answer 10

You still need a certian amount of calories to make milk. I know you can cut your calories, but not as if you weren't breastfeeding. Weightwatchers has a plan for breastfeeding mothers - check it out.