$Unique_ID{BRK01007}
$Pretitle{Pregnancy and Childbirth}
$Title{Questions About Losing Weight While Breast Feeding}
$Subject{nursing weight diet}
$Volume{K-19, K-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Questions About Losing Weight While Breast Feeding


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QUESTION:  I was told that a woman who is breast feeding her child should,
under no circumstances, lose weight.  I am nursing a five month old now and am
approximately 25 pounds overweight.  I am seriously considering continuing to
breast feed my infant beyond the first 6 months but I cannot live with the
extra weight.  If I do lose weight could it possibly harm either the baby or
myself?  Thank you for your consideration.

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ANSWER:  I have never heard of the admonition against weight loss that you
refer to, and am happy it may not be too wide spread because it is wrong.  The
weight gained during a normal pregnancy is there for a special reason, to
furnish the mother with the nutritional reserves necessary to provide her baby
with the nourishment gained through breast feeding.  Ask any woman who hasn't
breast fed her infant about the troubles returning to pre-pregnancy weight
levels and you will understand that your decision has been the right one, and
you may certainly continue without danger to yourself or baby.  The only
caution I would have is not to try to crash diet to reduce your weight, but to
increase your activity gradually and continue to nurse as before.  This will
lead to a gradual and safe weight loss.  Just to check my information I
contacted La Leche International (P.O. Box 1209, Franklin Park, ILL 60131-8209
for you and others who may wish more information) and they connected me with
Ms.  Doris Esposito, my Area Professional Liaison who discussed this with me,
and afforded some additional information.  By providing your infant with its
daily need, you are using about 700 calories to provide the nutrition.  That
adds up to about a 1 pound weight loss every 5 days, if you eat only the
amount of food your body consumes for its own metabolism, your 25 pound excess
will just about be gone by the time you complete 4 months more of furnishing
your infant with the best nutrition available.  Give or take an extra snack
here and there, you will probably come out even after 6 months, and bestow
upon your baby the head start that only mothers can give.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
