A woman who breastfeeds her baby does so in order to give him a healthy start in life. Breast milk is full of antibodies, hormones and enzymes that protect the baby as he grows. While breastfeeding is very beneficial to the baby, nursing mothers need to pay extra attention to their own health. For instance, some new mothers try using diet pills to lose weight after having the baby, but this is a complicated issue for breastfeeding women.
Diet Pills
There are literally hundreds of different diet pills available. Some of them are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while others are not. Some of them have no known side effects, while others are so dangerous that they have been banned by the FDA. According to the Mayo Clinic, diet pills consist of anything from amino acids to herbs, including over-the-counter and prescription pills. For example, Alli, which is the over-the-counter version of prescription orlistat, is very popular because it blocks the absorption of dietary fat in the body.
Effectiveness
Some diet pills are effective, despite possible health risks. For example, the Mayo Clinic says that Alli can help people lose weight, but it also might cause liver damage. Conjugated linoleic acid and ephedra also can be effective, according to the Mayo Clinic, but their safety is a matter of debate. In fact, ephedra has been banned by the Food and Drug Administration.
Safety while Breastfeeding
The use diet pills while breastfeeding is generally considered unsafe. The active ingredients in diet pills can travel through a woman's bloodstream and into her breast milk, causing unknown side effects to the baby. The La Leche League International also says that if a breastfeeding woman loses weight too quickly, such as by using diet pills, the level of environmental toxins in her breast milk can increase, harming the baby.
Natural Weight Loss While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding itself burns extra calories, which can help women lose weight. According to La Leche League International, breastfeeding women lose an average of 1.3 to 1.6 pounds per week for the first four to six months, without dieting or adding exercise. Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies and do not supplement with formula burn even more calories than those who supplement with formula.
Alternatives to Diet Pills
If a breastfeeding woman feels she is not losing weight, she can exercise for 30 minutes three to five days a week to burn extra calories. According to the website BreastfeedingBasics, breastfeeding women can lose weight by maintaining a healthy calorie level; the site recommends an average of 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day.
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