I've heard that nursing can cause you to lose weight. Is this true? I have been nursing for 3 mos. and I have yet to shed a pound that easy. How long does it take for the baby weight to drop?
i lost a little bit of weight while BF both my kids but once i weaned them and was finished BFing is when all the weight dropped off!!
Good luck and congrats~
No, I believe that is a myth.
I breastfed both my children....and my weight did not lessen.
Each woman is different on "when" the baby weight will come off. Some women are lucky and within 3 months they go back to normal and you can't even tell they were pregnant. Some, the weight does not come off without much concerted effort....and exercise.
For me, I was always lean and thin my whole life... I ate healthy and am active, still. BUT... after I gave birth, (with both pregnancies), NONE of my pregnancy weight came off. Not even 1 pound. I was not so fortunate. I exercise... but my body just reacts differently now... and the weight is hard to budge.
If anything, perhaps ask your Doctor....
All the best, and congratulations on your baby boy,
Susan
Angelina
IT didn't seem to happen for me at all!
I asked my doctor the same question and he told me to stay away from the refrigerator. I did not lose baby wieght until I went back to work. It was frustrating but it will come off.
I personally think that breastfeeding affects people in different ways. I have known many mothers who swear that it was nursing that made them drop the weight and then some. I also know many others, like myself, who hold on to all the extra weight. I think some bodies need the "extra" to fully support breastfeeding their little ones. My bestfriend has said that once she stopped breastfeeding her children, her weight dropped off. Good luck!
Breastfeeding helps burn calories faster. I've heard from about 500-1000/day. That being said, depending on your daily calorie intake, this could in theory actually help you lose weight.
Breastfeeding helps burn calories because it takes calories to make the breast milk. But if you're taking in more calories than needed for the breast milk, then you're not going to lose weight. That's why I said, depending on your daily calorie intake, it "could" help with the weight loss.
I personally have lost 5 lbs since my son's birth 3 months ago.
Another side effect of nursing is that I actually eat healthier, which in turn is probably helping the weight loss.
I have been drinking mummy magic weight loss tea while nursing my LO and shed all my pregnancy weight about 35 pounds extra just in a couple of months.
I am currently breastfeeding and breastfed my older son and I did not have weight loss with either. Here's the thing, breastfeeding takes ENERGY and we get energy from food. So, I was overeating and always hungry, so much so that I gained weight!
Still, I would gladly carry extra pounds for the benefit of breastfeeding- it's healthy for the kids, creates a great bonding relationship and is healthy for me too!
Best of luck,
F.
I nursed for 15 mos. I saw a lot of weight come off within the first 6 months, but I did not drop all the baby weight until I finished breast feeding. Congratulations!
Hi A C Think about it. How would nursing burn calories? I think it's a myth. I have know many over weight moms who nurse. J. L.
Breastfeeding is not a weightloss program per say. But like any activity - you burn calories and with breastfeeding you can burn about 500 a day, which is really good. Now, all that doesn't mean a thing if you aren't taking in the right amount of calories and eating the right kinds of foods. Your baby is also only 3mos old, meaning you are only 3mos post-partum. Cut yourself some slack!
You are doing a great thing for your baby. You will loose the baby weight - set a realistic goal like one year! If you lose it sooner, great, if not, don't worry, you'll get there.
I highly recommend StrollerStrides if you have one near you. It's a great cardio/resistance band workout that is done while you push your baby in the stroller. The workout takes one hour, you can go as often or as little as you want, work yourself hard or hardly workout - it's up to you. I started when my son was 6mos old and got in to the best shape of my life. Muscle burns fat so you want to do a weight or resistance band workout a couple of times a week.
Congratulations on your new baby, enjoy!!
M.
