Breastfeeding burns calories and nourishes your new baby. Mothers who breastfeed tend to lose more weight than mothers who bottle feed their babies. Breastfeeding provides you with physical benefits as well as creates a bond between you and your baby. Choosing to breastfeed will help carry you to your weight loss goal.
Weight Loss
Weight loss after giving birth will happen but it takes time to lose it. Remember it took nine months to gain the weight so it won't be lost overnight. Weight loss will occur with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding helps to burn the fat storage's that you put on around the hips and thighs during your pregnancy. Weight loss after giving birth is the same as weight loss during any other time in your life. In order to lose weight you must burn more calories than you consume. In order to lose a pound you must burn 3,500 calories.
Breastfeeding Calories
Milk production requires energy. This energy will activate the metabolism and burn calories resulting in weight loss. According to the Fisher-Price website, breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day. Just from breastfeeding alone you can lose a pound a week. Breastfeeding is also linked to a lower maternal weight gain even years down the road.
Appetite
Breastfeeding may increase your appetite, but if your goal is weight loss you must be conscious of your food choices. Choosing healthy foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats will both nourish your body and keep your diet low in fat. These foods will keep you full longer unlike high-fat foods such as chips and cookies that provide no nutritional benefits.
Exercise
Exercise after giving birth will not only help to keep you energized, but it will also help you reclaim your body. When breastfeeding it is important to wear a supportive bra during exercise. Contrary to what many believe, exercising will not affect your breast milk. According to MayoClinic.com, it is healthy to start exercise soon after delivery as long as you had a safe delivery. Working out will help to reclaim your body, but be sure to start slowly.
Enjoy Your Baby
While weight loss may be a goal and breastfeeding will help to get you there, the most important thing to do is to enjoy your baby. Weight loss will come off naturally after giving birth, as much as 10 lbs. can be lost right after delivery, and additional weight will be shed in the first weeks from retained fluids. After the initial weight loss, choosing healthy foods, exercising and breastfeeding will take you to your goal.
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