Breastfeeding for weight loss. Not.

After losing one whopping pound and then subsequently gaining it back this month (I'm looking at you pie that'll make you cry... about your butt that will not shrink), I would like to tell all the people who continue to perpetuate the myth that breastfeeding helps you lose weight to shut the hell up.

In the nicest way possible, of course.

Now I realize that I have just opened the flood gates of women who have actually lost weight while breastfeeding who will now tell me to shut the hell up and stop dissuading people to breastfeed.

Meanwhile, I'm on month 55 of total months breastfeeding a baby over the last six years so, um, please. I'm hardly against breastfeeding.

I'm just against breastfeeding as a viable post partum weight loss program.

But to those of you who have shed pounds breastfeeding, I shall quote a very bad movie that I can't seem to turn off every single time it's on because I have a secret crush on Kevin Connolly:

"You're the exception. Not the rule."

Breastfeeding does a fine job at returning your uterus back to its teeny tiny state. But it does not, for me and most women I talk to, shrink anything else. 

You have to eat extra calories in order to sustain your milk supply, though I suppose that doesn't mean the entire box of Trader Joe's dark chocolate star cookies.

At 2am.

Or the couple of Fat Tires.

Every night.

But hey. That's basically what Snooki's diet is and she lost a bunch of weight!

I get the biology of it. And I completely agree with nine months on, nine months off. Or something like that.

But if one more person asks me if I'm breastfeeding and then proceeds to tell me that the weight will just fall right off, I might have to sit on them.

With my big gigantic very exclusively breastfeeding ass.

Comments

[Christina]

Soo... I had been told you lose weight if you breastfeed. I had been searching for ways to lose weight for months. Then one day, today, I searched for breastfeeding and not losing weight. I feel so much better after reading all the comments. Then after I read half the page of comments I just started to scroll and realized how many women there were just like me. soo... For the next women that comes along, you're not alone. And by the way my best friend just weaned after a year and lost 20 lbs!

[Maria - Fat Camp Instructor]

Ladies who are aiming to lose weight before taking care of their children - not impressed. Do they not realise that they are not the only ones who gain weight during pregnancy? Do they not realise it is a normal thing and that it is happening for a good reason? Vanity will confuse us all....

[www.creativebioscience.com]

Many types of health care interventions are delivered outside of health facilities. They include many interventions of public health interest, such as food safety surveillance, distribution of condoms and needle-exchange programmes for the prevention of transmissible diseases. Thanks a lot.

[C]

I did not bf my older son and was back to my pre-pregnancy weight in 1 weeks, later, adding everyday walking with the stroller I lost some more.
This time...I breastfeed. I lost a lot right after and that's it. Baby is almost 2 mo and I am +15 lbs heavier. I walk every day.. Somebody mentioned cookies. No processed sugar in my diet, but still I am keeping some extra lbs.

[Josiejo]

Thank god I'm not the only one!!!

I am tandem feeding a 3yo and a 6mo and after my daughter was born I didn't lose an ounce until I got preggers with my son... kept BF through pregnancy and lost 1/2 stone in first trimester, then put on a couple of stone in last tri.

Both babies enormous and v hungry (6mo is 10.7kg!!) and I swear I am eating normally, but the weight stays put... If I don't eat I feel sick and faint very quickly.

So hoping that it will fall off when I eventually wean...

[Malea]

It never helps me either. In fact, I think I hold onto weight while breastfeeding. It doesn't help that I'm hungrier and have more cravings than I did even while pregnant. I breastfed my daughter until like 14 months and while I was weaning and watching my calories is when I lost 7 pounds in a week....AND found out I was pregnant again, with my now, almost 3 month old and I'm still a big fat fatty. I 100% support breastfeeding though. I just wish I hadn't relied on it for weight loss. I also eat like a pig, for fear of losing milk supply if I eat less and exercise a lot.

[Aussie mum]

Ladies you have just made me smile. Giggle, actually. I thought I was the only heffer in the skinny cow herd. My baby is now 12 weeks and I have only shed the original weight I lost straight after delivery. Not a gram less. It has been getting me down. I've never been this big and people continue to tell me that breastfeeding should make the weight drop off. This is my second baby and I never lost my first lot of baby weight as when I stopped nursing I got pregnant again! I watch other mums who had their babies around the same time as I did, and they are already back in their skinny jeans. I'm still getting around in my maternity clothes and leggings. Sigh. I don't feel attractive at all and it hasn't helped that my husband and I haven't even had enough time together to get our groove on yet. Double sigh. I've tried so hard this time as well. Restricting what I eat and exercising by week 4 post partum. nothing has helped. Thanks for at least making me see that there are women like me out there...even if they don't live here in Dubai. I have one very healthy little man though ;)

[Call me mummy Tola]

Its funny because I was told exactly the same thing! Oh you'll lose weight if you're breastfeeding! But noooooo, infact I gained weight! So now I'm back at work and breastfeeding only twice a day AND going to the gym AND eating healthy but yet the weight is still pretty darn stubborn!
I keep telling myself, this too shall pass...

[Stacey]

I breastfeed and i can not lose the weight. I even do zumba and cut back on eating! I starve though! But i still can barely tose weight. I cant seems to get down to my pre pregnancy weight. Its driving me crazy!! I just wanna fit comfortably in my jeans. My baby is almost 10 months old and i cant lose the last 10 pounds at all. Even with the exercise and the eating right....

[TyeB]

Omg... At the stories I just read, some are so funny!!!! I'm 2 months post-partum and still look 8 months preggo, if someone were to ask me "how far along am I" and I responded " I had my baby 2 months ago" they WOULDN'T believe me if I let them hold her and showed them my discharge papers from the hospital stating what I had and when I had her. With my first child I lost all my baby weight and more witin the first month and was fine as red wine just to look up one day and discovered that I gained it all back. I can't tell you when it happened but we know how!!!! Don't laugh I was eating for two even though the one was outside the body. The statement " Every pregnancy is different" is all so true with this child I have yet to lose anything but I'm gonna be patient 9 months in 9 months out blah blah blah:) love love love the stories...

[SJ]

Agree agree agree. You are not alone!

[Susie A.]

I breastfed my daughter for an entire year and had linebacker shoulders and back fat until I quit. I am right there with you - it certainly does NOT help to lose weight. Complete and total myth. If anything, it made me hungrier and to follow, I made bad food choices to satiate my hunger. Anyway, could not agree more with you! Love this post - made me laugh.

[Mary_Flashlight]

I'm one of the exceptions, only because when you start out fat, sometimes the numbers can't help but go down. I gained 20lbs with my first, lost that before I left the hospital (helps having a 9lb4oz baby!), and then lost another 25 lbs within the first 3 months. And I ate like a maniac! However, eventually (OK, 2 years later) when he stopped nursing every 5 minutes, I gained it all back, and then some.
2nd baby, lost 15 lbs during pregnancy (hello HG!), then had a 10lb2oz baby (!) so I was down 25 lbs just from that, then lost another 25 nursing.
I'm nostalgic now, because I was just forced to stop the last "right before bedtime" nursing - I was having stomach pains, and got thrown into the hospital where they pumped me full of not-breastfeeding-friendly antibiotics and morphine. I slept for a week. I still have milk after not nursing for a week, and Little still would like to nurse, but I'm still on these stupid antibiotics, and will be for a long time. *sigh*

[Joy]

I did not lose weight while breastfeeding. You can only eat so many carrot sticks in the evening before you try to dip the dog in chocolate and eat her - you may burn an average 500 calories a day while bfing but you also are really freakin' hungry because you burned 500 calories. Simple math. You know what worked? Quit breastfeeding and two months later I was pregnant again and gained all my weight in my belly. My arms looked awesome.

[kpriss]

Well done in taking that myth down! I hope the world hears you! There's indeed justice in saying it helps your inner body (aka the uterus) get back in teeny tiny shape but that's about where it ends. I'm pretty much a skinny girl but when it comes to losing my baby weight it's nine months, baby, nine on, nine off. And it's not just the fat - it's the bones also - how long did it take for your bones to take their distance, it's about the same period they'll find their way back "home". I think that'll be in the 4-5 months at least!

Anyway with the constant hunger driving me towards anything greasy and extra meaty just to keep them breasts in production, there's no honest hope of shedding them pounds off!

[Andrea]

Breastfeeding is GREAT, but I never lost the weight with it. I don't really know anyone it's worked for as a weight loss aid.

[Cloud]

I think anyone who makes blanket statements about how postpartum weight loss will work should be pummeled. Everyone's different.

I'm sort of like the women @Kelly describes- I drop down to within 5 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight by about 6 months (baby 1) or 9 months (baby 2). The first time around, I was down to 5 lbs below pre-pregnancy weight by about 21 months- and I was still breastfeeding. But then I got pregnant again. This time, the baby is 14 months old and I'm still 5 lbs over (and still breastfeeding).

And the numbers on the scale don't correlate at all with whether or not I can wear my pre-pregnancy clothes. My stomach and ass will never be the same, I accept that. It would also help if I got up off of that ass and exercised.

There are no exercises to help my boobs, though. My older daughter likes to nurse her baby just like I was nursing my baby. She holds her doll to her stomach. Because, yeah, that's where it looks like my boobs are now if I'm not employing a heavy duty bra.

[Julie @ The Mom Slant]

I've yet to lose the last ten pounds and return to my pre-kids weight, and I've done half a dozen triathlons (and breastfed my son directly after the first one). Breastfeeding is fabulous in many ways, but it's not a weight loss strategy.

[Kelly]

Please, no one throw a breastpump at me. I did lose weight breastfeeding. A lot. Within three weeks, (yes, three, no lie!) I was down 10 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight. It was insane, falling off pounds at a time.

But then I started thinking about it: a cranky baby, a 2-year old, long hours spent walking and bouncing and in general, constant movement, and of course not enough time or energy to properly eat, and I think that completely contributed to the weight loss. I was a calorie-burning machine, along with being slightly underfed.

I do know a lot of people who lost almost all their baby weight, but the last 5-10 didn't come off until after weaning. That seems to be the much more common story.

[Jaelithe]

I am of the opinion that breastfeeding made me lose weight because I was so busy feeding my newborn that I kept forgetting to eat.

I wouldn't recommend that weight loss plan, though.

[BMom]

Great post, as always! In order for me to breastfeed = I was STARVING = hello baby weight still there until I was done breastfeeding. I just loved those "the weight will drop right off" comments....not.

[Jessica in Canada]

I honestly thought most people lost weight when breastfeeding and that hanging onto some was the exception.

With all 3 of my kids I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a month. By 6 months for sure my face was gaunt and my pants were falling off. I weighed less than I did in highschool. My doctor told me not to exercise (not that I was). I was ravenously hungry and ate more than my husband every meal. I remember once I had 4 servings of apple crisp after supper and it didn't even touch my hunger and I thought "this is ridiculous", but I wanted to breastfeed until the baby was at least a year. I am not trying to brag; it was a big problem. People think being skinny is awesome, but being underweight is gross.

But then of course I had the problem of when I weaned my 3rd kid I was so used to eating anything I wanted I gained some weight unexpectedly. Oops! No more guacamole & chocolate bars before going to bed!

[Gertie]

Preach it sister. Preach it.

[Melanie]

Aww that's such a bummer! I considered extended breastfeeding merely because it really did help me lose weight. Not that I'm bragging or anything. ;) (and ftr, I didn't do it)

[Angela at mommy bytes]

Oh well, I have to say I love being one of the exceptions... I called it baby-liposuction. Although to be fair, the weight loss beyond pre-pregnancy weight didn't occur until after the 6th month or so. And no worries, you will be back to shredded in no time.

[Jen L]

I must be the exception...

I lost all the weight (30 pounds) plus ten more pounds in two months. Of course, I had zero appetite the whole time. My husband had to remind me to eat. Very odd, I know. But I could guzzle a gallon of apple juice in three seconds flat.

Anyways, now the Boy is eight months old, and the breastfeeding is no longer keeping the weight off. Those "extra" ten pounds have found their way back to my mid-section. Guess I'm either going to have to get pregnant again, or join the gym...

Not sure which option sounds more horrific.

[lisa]

Yep, me too. Every time I increased exercise or decreased calories my milk production decreased. The weight really started to drop when my 2nd was 2 yrs old. Once they got on a better schedule I could stick with mine.

[Olivia]

So true. Breastfeeding alone does not take off the weight for most women. And if you want to continue breastfeeding it's a good idea not to try too hard. By all means, exercise and stay away from the cookies (if you want to), but actively trying to loose weight could hinder milk production.

[KimberlyC]

I lost a bunch of weight by simply having a baby, but A. that was my first and B. I knew I was the exception. No bragging, because I simply had NOTHING to do with the weight loss, and I did not actually lose ALL of the baby weight (I was happy with the numbers, underweight before pregnancy. Look ma! I am actually grown- up size!) All I want to know is if there is a woman out there who has a baby and then everything goes back to it's normal SHAPE!

[JCF]

I'm really, really hoping that last 10 pounds will come off when I wean, as so many others have said. Baby #2 was conceived when Baby #1 was 6 months old, and I weaned baby #1 at 14 months (just before Baby #2 arrived). Baby #3 was conceived when #2 was 9 months, and I weaned #2 at 15 months, shortly before #3 arrived. If you're still following my baby math, Baby #3 is almost 5 months old, so I've been pregnant and/or breastfeeding since January of 2007 (almost 4 years). I have this stubborn 10 pounds just sitting around my midsection that won't come off no matter what!

[Kathleen]

@Jeanne: OMG, I want that plaster cast of my 25yo ass too! Why is noone marketing that???

[Jeanne]

I would propose that we are, in fact, the rule. And just like Jo, I found that there was at LEAST ten pounds that wasn't going to go anywhere until after you wean. I BF both kids for just over a year and it wasn't until they each approached 18 months that I finally felt like my body had returned to a non-pregnant/postpartum/24-7dairybar state. Which I promptly ruined the 1st time around by getting pregnant again.

Eat the cookies... the bf hunger is rarely discussed, but it is the most powerful hunger I have ever experienced.

Also, I never did a plaster cast of my belly when pregnant, because really, what do you do with that? But now I wish I had done a cast of my 25 year old ass - 'cause we're never going to see that again. I would hang that sucker in the Living Room.

[Karen (SubMommy)]

I didn't take off the rest of my pg pounds until I STOPPED breastfeeding.

So, with #1 it was a year later, and with #2 it was EIGHTEEN MONTHS later.

I tried, too. Exercised like a fiend, etc. Nope.

Hang on, sister. Your uterus is back to it's original size - your butt will be soon to follow.

[Amy H]

I agree with you 100%! Not only did I fail to lose weight while breastfeeding, I actually gained a little. By the time my son was done breastfeeding (at 14 months), I weighed 5 pounds less than I did when I gave birth to him. It was so frustrating because everyone kept telling me nursing would help me get my figure back. That didn't happen until he was done nursing and I could finally cut my calorie intake. (Shreadheads helped a lot, too!)

I always feel bad when friends of mine say they are going to breastfeed and they can't wait for the added benefit of weight loss because I know that isn't always the case.
But I would never dare to tell a pregnant/hormonal woman that. It is the worst news you could get in that state. :-)

[MU]

Sue - In my experience, like Babywearing Steph, I lose that last bit of weight when I wean.

I did drop a lot of weight doing the 30 Day Shred (http://www.theshredheads.com) when Margot was about 6 months (total of about 40lbs in 5-6 months). But I was working my ass off - literally - watching my food intake, that sort of thing.

I'm admittedly not doing well on watching the diet right now, but also, my milk hasn't really regulated yet.

[Rita Arens]

I didn't lose weight breastfeeding, but I, um, only did it for SEVEN WEEKS. I suck! Or rather, the little angel didn't! But, yeah -- it's great for your kid and kinda sucky for you.

[Holli]

I actually did lose all of my baby weight while nursing, but then as soon as she weaned, HEY THERE FAT PANTS. So, I feel your pain.

[Sue]

This makes me feel soooo much better. Despite working out like a fiend and (trying to) eat sensibly. I just can't lose that last 6 lbs (baby is almost 12 months) I tell myself my giant boobs must weigh at least 4 lbs right?????

[Angela]

Eeek. The ravenous hunger that accompanies nursing. I remember it well. All too well. Don't get me wrong. I loved nursing my kiddos. Hands down, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. But it sadly did not lead to weight loss. Your body needs to hold on to a certain amount of fat to breastfeed in the first place.

I have to hold on to the fact that there's something kind of sexy about the roundness and curves that accompany nursing. Kind of like those women in Renaissance art. But then again, they're probably not covered in spit up.

[Sarah]

I know why it didn't work for me - I was waaaaay to sick when pregnant, especially with my second (sick 7/9 months). When the babies popped out it was like a food free-for-all! I could eat again! Party time!!!

[adventuresinbabywearing]

Could NOT agree more. I NEVER lose weight until I wean (and you know me- I nurse until they are practically in kindergarten!) I keep extra weight on my arms & in my face and THEN when I'm done breastfeeding it "miraculously" falls right off.

I'm hoping.

Because I think I'll be weaning Ivy soon-ish.

Steph

[MU]

Jo - Excellent point! :)

[Amy Jo]

I feel you here. My friend had her son within one month of my son being born, and she pratcially melted whereas I seemed to only plump up. I think there is a paper that states that some women will hold onto weight so that they can keep feeding their babies in case of a long, hard winter or some other hardship our ancestors may have faced. So look at the bright side, if you were a cavewoman your kids would thrive because of your butt!

[Goddess in Progress]

And I was so hoping that would be a pleasant side effect... I struggled to breastfeed my twins, and only lasted 8 weeks, but I did manage to lose some weight that time (of course, then I stopped breastfeeding but kept eating like I was... whoops!).

Alas. I'm still going to try to do it with this baby, you certainly aren't discouraging me from it. But shoot, guess I can't have unlimited pizza and cookies.

[Jo]

Yes! I couldn't lose the last ten pounds of baby weight for the life of me... that is, until I stopped breastfeeding. It was like my body needed that roll of belly fat to produce milk. And Oreos. It really needed Oreos. Besides, if breastfeeding is so slimming, then why aren't dairy cows skinny?

[KMayer]

I planned my a HS reunion around breastfeeding a kid. I wanted boobs for the world to see. The weightloss is a scam; with bigger boobs, your stomach will appear smaller. Good luck milk machine!

[Melissa]

i have yet to lose weight breastfeeding/pumping. So you're not alone girl!