Breastfeeding and Weight Loss Naturally

Dieting

Crash dieting should be avoided during breastfeeding, as rapid weight loss will decrease the milk supply. Vigorous dieting also produces other negative effects as the body stores toxic substances in fat. Therefore, rapid fat burning will release a large amount of toxins into the woman's body and subsequently into the breast milk. Toxins are a normal part of life and can be found in all people no matter where they live or what they eat. Too many toxins at one time for a small infant's body can cause potential harm.

Serious dieting also negatively affects the mother by reducing the nourishment for her body. The baby is always protected first. Nature will take care of the baby and if more nutrients are needed for breast milk, it will remove them from the mom's body. This will deplete the lactating woman's nutritional reserves and produce a loss of energy and a potential for illness. In order to maintain health while nursing, a woman should consume at least 1800 calories a day and watch her weight loss. For the average size woman, two pounds lost each month is reasonable; for an overweight woman, up to four pounds a month is acceptable weight loss.

Exercise

Moderate exercise while breastfeeding will boost energy and encourage weight loss. Be sure to wear supportive bras or tops to protect your breasts. During active exercise, surplus bouncing of the breasts will cause the milk ducts to leak, creating potential damage to the cells. This can lead to an increase in the risk of developing breast infections such as mastitis. If recovering from mastitis, it is best to avoid any active exercise regimen until the infection has completely cured.

Exercise will also cause the breast milk to change. The increase in lactic acid produced by the body during high activity causes the breast milk to taste sour. This effect lasts for up to ninety minutes after exercise and causes some infants to refuse to nurse. Breastfeeding right before exercise, which also will make the breasts more comfortable during activity, easily solves the problem.