QardioBase is the only smart scale with a dedicated Pregnancy Mode and so we get a lot of questions about weight management while breastfeeding. Have you recently switched from the Pregnancy Mode to a weight management mode and have questions about a safe way to lose the baby weight while breastfeeding? Read what our experts have to say about post-pregnancy weight management here.
How many calories should a woman eat if they are breastfeeding and want to lose weight?
Most medical specialists agreed that restricting calorie intake while breastfeeding is not advisable as reducing your food consumption directly affects the production of breastmilk. In general, breastfeeding women should eat when hungry and stay well hydrated. Eating the same amount of food as before giving birth should still result in gradual weight loss as making breastmilk uses lots of calories. Tracy Donegan, registered midwife, author and the founder of GentleBirth, doesn’t recommend strict dieting to achieve post-pregnancy weight loss but she does believe that moms can facilitate a modest weight loss by eating less fatty foods, eating smaller more frequent meals and exercising.
Does breastfeeding help postpartum weight loss and why?
Many pregnancy experts agree that breastfeeding helps lose weight after pregnancy. This is due to the extra calories burned during breastfeeding although not all women will experience weight loss due to this, says Tracy Donegan. John A. Robinson, Medical Director at The Hormone Zone, explains that there is a basic metabolic demand on the breastfeeding mother that helps to burn calories and increase metabolic rate. Additionally, the process of breastfeeding enhances the hormone “oxytocin”, which has a weight loss and anti-stress effects that further enhances weight loss. When considering your weight loss option while breastfeeding, mothers should also be aware that a calorie reduced diet might have a negative effect on the quality as well as the quantity of the milk.
How much water should a woman drink daily while breastfeeding?
Drinking plenty of water while pregnant or when breastfeeding is very important and although it might be challenging to proactively increase your water intake for newly busy moms you should keep in mind that insufficient hydration might have a negative impact on your milk production. Leigh Anne O’Connor, Lactation Consultant in Private Practice recommends drinking enough water to satisfy their thirst while breastfeeding while Sheila Chhutani, MD, MBA from Texas Health Dallas Hospital advises new moms to check the color of their urine, which should be light yellow, to determine if they are drinking enough. One important advice is to limit the number of caffeinated drinks while breastfeeding as caffeine consumption by the breastfeeding mother does get passed to the baby’s milk.
Maintaining a healthy weight while breastfeeding has positive effects on both mother and baby’s overall health. QardioBase, our smart scale and body analyzer, is the perfect scale to help mothers achieve and maintain a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy. The smart scale is a great tool to help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight easily and with safety in mind.
Sources:
Tracy Donegan, registered midwife, author and the founder of GentleBirth
John A. Robinson, Medical Director at The Hormone Zone
Leigh Anne O’Connor, Lactation Consultant in Private Practice
Sheila Chhutani, MD, MBA from Texas Health Dallas Hospital
