Breastfeeding.............benefits?

Question

Ive made the decision to breastfeed my son. I know the benefits for him and that is well worth the extra work.

Here is a selfish question -- for those women who breastfd, did you find that you lost weight more quickly?

Wthether I lose or not, I will still breastfeed. Don't worry!

Answer 1

I breast fed for a year, didn't loose any weight. The thing is, if your breast feeding your body should store extra fats in order to make sure that your producing enough milk that contains everything it needs to give your child. It's supposed to be harder to loose weight if your breast feeding.

But please don't let that be a factor in your decision to breast feed, because it really is the best thing for your child.

Answer 2

Hubby and I are still waiting for our little one but I have decided to breastfeed, and that was a small part of the reasoning.

My mother breastfed my brother and I. She said she could feel her uterus contracting back as we nursed. She lost weight in no time.

With that said I also believe that it's because she was in very good shape before we were born, and she didn't sit around to 'recover' she forced herself to get up and walk. She was going up and down stairs in about an hour afterwords. She had a natural birth with an epi for both of us.

I will likely be the same way, I don't just sit around, and no matter whether I'm injured or not I won't let myself come to a stand still. I walked myself out of the hospital 30min after a tonsillectomy, and told my husband to take me to the store so I could get some groceries for dinner. Hurt like heck, but hey.

Answer 3

I don't know... I lost weight quickly with my daughter but I was only 18 and BF for almost 2 months.
My son is still BF (15 months old) and I know I put on my prepreg clothes after about a month and a half BUT I didn't try before then because PJ pants and yoga pants are so comfy plus I could pull them up over my stomach and not expose *ahem* stretch marks and such when nursing :-)

Answer 4

I only know a couple of women who ever lost weight breastfeeding. It's just propaganda. Trust me... I'm a breastfeeding educator and I know the REAL, non-boob-nazi stats. About 1/3 of women who nurse their babies lose the weight by breastfeeding. Everyone else does the same as non-nursing moms. They diet, and they exercise.

I've had seven babies. I've nursed them all at least a year. I still have to go to the gym. It's not fair, but the weight does always come off again.

Congratulations on making a FANTASTIC decision for your baby boy! Even if it doesn't help you lose the weight, it will help you bond with your precious little prince.

Answer 5

Yes, because while you breast feed you burn 500 to 600 calories per day. I breast fed all 3 of my children. You do however need to make sure you don't counter act your weight loss by eating more than the recommended calorie intake for breastfeeding mothers.

You've made the best choice for you and your child. Good luck to the both of you.

Answer 6

You do drop weight faster in the beginning because breastfeeding makes you produce more hormones that help your uterus return back to its normal non pregnancy state faster.

Answer 7

i am breastfeeding my third child, he is almost 6 months old and i weigh less than i did before i was pregnant. however, i have noticed that although i have lost weight pretty fast after all my pregnancies, don't expect your body shape to stay the same after having your baby - i have a tummy, boobs and bigger thighs than i did before. one great thing though, breastfeeding is suppoesed to burn HEAPS of calories. in fact, my midwife told me that it is comparable to going out and chooping wood.

Answer 8

i lost weight faster initally, but held onto the last 5-10lbs. until i was done breastfeeding.