One of the most common concerns that postpartum women have is how fast they can lose their baby weight. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but the weight doesn't always come off as fast as women would like. Diet pills are advertised in magazines and on television as a faster way to lose weight, but postpartum women who choose to breastfeed should think twice before reaching for diet pills.
Untested Ingredients and Mom
Not all diet pills are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and some of the ingredients in diet pills are not only ineffective but also unsafe. MayoClinic.com explains that even Alli, the over-the-counter version of the prescription weight loss drug Orlistat, is being investigated by the FDA for possible liver damage. Ingredients like ephedra, which are dangerous to the heart, have been banned by the FDA.
Risks to the Baby
Breastfeeding while taking diet pills might put the baby at risk, but this potential risk means the effects of diet pills on breastfed babies have not been tested. Not all foods, beverages and supplements that a woman consumes transfer through the breast milk to the baby, states Kelly Bonyata, international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). Still, taking diet pills is a risk that few nursing women are willing to take.
Rapid Weight Loss
The purpose of diet pills is to speed up weight loss efforts faster than could be obtained through diet and exercise alone, but that might not be a good idea for nursing women. La Leche League International explains that rapid weight loss in breastfeeding women increases the concentration of environmental toxins stored in the body. These environmental toxins might be passed through breast milk to the baby. Rapid weight loss also reduces milk supply, according to La Leche League.
Natural, Healthy Weight Loss
Instead of using diet pills to lose weight, breastfeeding women should combine diet and exercise with nursing frequently. La Leche League International states that the more frequently a woman nurses, the more calories she burns. Instead of combo-feeding with formula, women should aim to breastfeed exclusively. Along with a diet of 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day and moderate exercise, nursing women should be able to lose weight at a healthy rate of no more than 1 lb. per week.
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