How long does it usually take to get the weight off after giving birth? And does breast feeding really help?

Answer 1

Don't listen to Mr. Byakua or whatever down there......Getting baby weight off is really hard for some people, (he's a guy, how would he know?)
With my first, I gained 33 pounds and had it off in 7 weeks- I breastfed, but truthfully, didn't exercise a whole lot. I'm 37 weeks pregnant now, and have gained about 30 pounds. I plan on breastfeeding, and exercising as soon as I'm able just to feel better. My first daughter breastfed really well, and wasn't sick a single time til after her first birthday. I highly reccomend it for your baby, as well as for your weightloss.
If anything, it does help your uterus shrink back faster and you stop bleeding a lot sooner, too.
Good luck to ya, and ignore the answers from men. : )

Answer 2

It depends a lot on you and you lifestyle, everyone is different. However if this is your 1st baby and you were of a healthy weight before the pregnancy and you gained between 30-40 pounds then you should lose the weight in about 3 -4 months. But some people lose the weight within a few weeks and others can take a year.

Excersize, even taking the baby for daily walks, eating healthy and in moderation and yes nursing can help you to lose the weight sooner than not doing those things.
Your body uses calories to produce the milk so nurse away!

Answer 3

It took me almost a year to get back to pre-baby weight. I did not breast feed though. I did not exercise either. My son is just really big. I would say the average is 9-12 months. Don't worry, it will come off. If you don't exercise you will still be mushy in certain places. Your body will never be the same, but totally worth it! I know for a fact that breast feeding really does help the weight come off because i have seen so many of my friends do it. The few days that i breast fed i could see how it would come off fast because it takes a lot out of you.

Answer 4

Breast feeding can burn up to 600 calories a day. Each ounce of breastmilk is 20 calories. At their peak babies drink 32 ounces of milk a day- that's 640 calories right there! That's a lot of time on a treadmill to get to that amount.
I found that the weight just melted off with breastfeeding until I got to the last 5 pounds and I held on to those until I started weaning the baby off of the breast milk.
I gained 55 pounds during pregnancy and had dropped all but 5 of those pounds by month 6. And that was with no exercise or dieting.

Answer 5

I had gestational diabetes and retained a lot of water during my pregnancy. I had only gained 26 lbs. during my pregnancy, but within 2 weeks after I gave birth, I had lost all my pregnancy weight plus an additional 20 lbs. I know that is not the norm for most women, but maybe it's typical for women with my situation.

I breastfed my daughter for a year. Breastfeeding burns 300 calories per day and also helps your uterus to contract so it shrinks down to it's normal size faster. Even if you don't want to breastfeed, you can also pump your breastmilk. You and your baby will still get the same great effects by doing so.

However, you will still need to exercise when your doctor gives you the okay because your stomach will sag after giving birth.

Answer 6

It depends on how much you gained, how you gained it, how your body is, and how determined you are. I gained 40 pounds and lost 45 pounds by 5 months. I did join a gym which helped a lot. Breast feeding, for me, held me back. After I was done (at 6 weeks), I was able to diet and go to the gym without worrying what the diet and exercise chemicals would do to my daughter. Most women I know say the same. It helps to get the initial pounds off, but to lose ALL of it, breastfeeding can get in the way.

Answer 7

In order to produce milk you have to maintain a higher caloric intake than usual. I wouldn't say breastfeeding helps you lose weight, but it does reduce the size of your expanded uterus after giving birth.

All women are different. I lost the weight within 9 months and looked decent at about 3 months but I have friends who are still overweight years after giving birth. Keep pregnancy weight within reason and you should be ok.

Answer 8

By the time my daughter was two days old I was lighter than when I got pregnant. Most of the weight is baby and fluid and you don't have to lose it! Eating well throughout your pregnancy and beyond and getting regular appropriate exercise is the way to go. Breastfeeding helps some women and hinders others, but whatever happens it's best for your baby!

Good luck with pregnancy birth and beyond!!

Answer 9

B-feeding the best, burns massive amounts of calories and gets gut back in shape faster. Be careful with dieting while BFing as you need to have good nutrition while feeding baby. Lay off goodies, lots of protien and veggies and limit fat. Only whole wheat breads and pastas. Keep up fluid intake as you need it to produce plenty of milk. You will find weight will drop off if you stick to low fat and count calories. Hey, try your local LeLeche League for better info. They have all the answers about that.

Answer 10

For me, I was back to my original weight after two weeks with my first two, they were nursed, a little longer with my third baby, I didnt get to nurse him, Id say it took a month or month and a half but now, after a year, Ive lost 20 additional pounds. Excercise and eat right, thats all it takes, no fancy magical anything is needed.