Is it true that breastfeeding helps with weight loss?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Breastfeeding is one way to lose pregnancy weight. Watch this video from Dr. Oz for other ways to lose weight.
Breastfeeding is one way to lose pregnancy weight. Watch this video from Dr. Oz for other ways to lose weight. More -
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:Breast feeding is not a weight loss program, but some studies have shown that breast feeding mothers seem to have an easier time safely shedding post-partum weight, while others have shown no relationship, and still others (though fewer) have actually shown weight gain in the breast feeding study subjects. While breast feeding does not guarantee weight loss, it might be one of the additional perks to a healthy way to start your child’s nutrition. Plus, you naturally burn calories to make breast milk every time you nurse so you might think of it like an exercise modality!Breast feeding is not a weight loss program, but some studies have shown that breast feeding mothers seem to have an easier time safely shedding post-partum weight, while others have shown no relationship, and still others (though fewer)... More -
Melinda Johnson of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Absolutely! When you are exclusively breastfeeding an infant, you are supplying anwhere from 500 to 800 calories a day for that baby - which comes from your body reserves of calories. If you tried to burn that many calories a day at the gym, you would be spending a significant amount of time on the treadmill!
However, you still do need to be mindful that you do not overcompensate by eating a lot more food than you would otherwise - it is still possible to sabotage weight loss with the "eating for two" mentality. A breastfeeding mom should aim for slow and steady weight loss, which can and does happen when she is eating regular meals and snacks and honoring her own hunger cues.
Absolutely! When you are exclusively breastfeeding an infant, you are supplying anwhere from 500 to 800 calories a day for that baby - which comes from your body reserves of calories. If you tried to burn that many calories a day at the gym, you... More
