Why No Dieting During Breast Feeding?

It's a great idea to lose weight after childbirth! You will probably be eagerly waiting to lose that extra bulged body and look fit.

But before that, have you thought of these key points?

1. When should a breastfeeding mother start dieting?

Your little one depends on your milk to fill its tummy through breastfeeding. You should wait till your baby starts feeding on other foods and extracts its nutrients. Your diet can affect milk production too. So, ideally, weight loss only after six months of childbirth is better!

2. What if I start dieting before that?

If you do not get the right quantity of nutrients required for your body, breast milk will be drawn from your nutrient reserve. There are chances that you might be malnourished. Eat the required quantity of food that is needed for your body, and then plan to lose weight.

3. Your body changes after delivery:

a. Physically and emotionally, you need strength to recover after delivery. You need to focus on your energy and your capability for the next few days.

b. There might be some signs of postpartum depression-like feeling restless or irritable, feeling sad, depressed, or crying a lot, having no energy, and having no time for yourself.

c. You might not feel like eating anything as you are tired most of the time taking care of your baby.

All these body changes might settle within 2-3 weeks of delivery. Your body will need to get back the lost nutrients and blood during delivery. Hence, another 3-4 months of the right diet would be a good foundation for a weight loss program.

Tips to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Some women lose weight while breastfeeding, but there is no guarantee that breastfeeding will simply reverse the weight gained during pregnancy.

However, there are some ways you can increase your chances of weight loss.

Start exercising

Talk to your doctor/fitness expert about adding exercise 6 weeks after delivery, if the delivery was normal. You should be able to start with light to moderate exercise.

If you had a C-section, it will take longer for you to recover, so you should wait before hitting a fitness center or exercising vigorously.

Eat healthily

Junk food is simply loaded with empty calories. They don't provide you with the nutrients you need. Eating nutritious food post-pregnancy is essential for your body as well as for the health of your child.

Get a post-pregnancy diet plan curated by an expert dietitian on The Wellness Corner. Download the app now.

Get sufficient sleep

It can be difficult for new moms who are breastfeeding but try to get as much rest as you can. Lack of sleep can make it difficult to lose or gain weight.

Explore more: Stubborn Post-Pregnancy Weight? Adopt These Lifestyle Changes to Reduce It

Lastly,

If you're still having trouble losing postpartum weight after trying the above, it might be time to see a doctor. There may be a medical reason behind your weight loss problems, such as stress, depression, hypothyroidism, or other hormonal imbalances. Once you know the root of underlying issues, you may be able to lose weight faster.