Can Stopping Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight

Here are the best tips on how to lose weight while breastfeeding without losing your supply and how I lost 35 pounds following the Noom program!

When I stepped on the scale at the doctor’s office, I would just close my eyes, as if turning a literal blind eye to my weight gain would make it all magically disappear.

But deep down I knew I weighed more than I ever had because I started that pregnancy bigger than I had ever been.

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At my six-week postpartum appointment, I had lost 20 pounds and weighed 205, but I still had another 35 pounds that I wanted to lose.

I had tried so many different weight loss methods in the past, and none of them worked long term. So I decided to try something completely different.

If you want to lose weight while breastfeeding without killing yourself in the gym with an unrealistic exercise program, buying special diet food, or losing your milk supply then follow the tips below:

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But here is where Noom is different: They provide short, interactive articles every day that change your relationship with food and how you handle stress, negative emotions, and setbacks.

The articles made the biggest difference for me in my weight loss journey this time. I learned that I don’t have to give up the foods I love to lose weight and I can eat treats, as long as I stay within my calorie limit for the day.

When I hit plateaus in my weight loss journey (which I did) I learned how to push past them instead of throwing in the towel or switching to another weight loss program or fad diets at the first sign of stagnation.

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Water is essential for any breastfeeding mom so make sure you drink a lot. Healthline recommends moms aim for 96 ounces a day. This is one of the most important tips for how to lose weight while breasting without changing your milk production.

I never liked water before I became a mom, but now I can’t get enough of it. However, that doesn’t mean I always remember to drink water.

To make it easier, I like to keep a mug full of fresh water and ice so whenever I see it I remember to take a sip. I love that it has a lid and straw too so I can take it wherever I go without fear of it spilling.

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According to KellyMom, 1500-1800 calories is an acceptable amount for nursing moms to eat every day if they are trying to lose weight.

The science of weight loss says you have to burn more calories than you take in, plain and simple. This causes the body to pull energy from fat stores and not just from the calories you ate that day.

That’s why signing up with Noom was so important for me because it helped me keep track of my calories throughout the day. It ensured I always consumed enough calories and didn’t hit extra calories over 1800.

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And Noom is the only one who re-shaped my thinking about food and how to lose weight. Tracking your food only goes so far if you don’t know how to make the most of your daily calorie limit.

I have. And I find that I can restrict my food for only so long before I end up giving in to my cravings, binging on the “forbidden” food and then feeling terrible about myself.

Letting yourself go too long without food isn’t good for your milk supply and could lead to fog eating (a.k.a. a hangry rummage through the pantry grabbing anything in sight that’s edible.)

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Restricting too much can also put your body into starvation mode. Your body may start hoarding fat which can make it nearly impossible to lose weight while breastfeeding.

One misconception a lot of moms have is that in order to lose weight while breastfeeding, they need to be in the gym 40-60 minutes 5-6 days a week.

After my second baby, I was killing myself doing intense workouts 5-6 days a week. My body got burnt out and I dreaded anytime I had to exercise.

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This time around, I set aside 20-30 minutes 3 days a week to do my favorite workouts (resistance training or dance cardio) and I actually look forward to my workout days!

It’s important to maintain a healthy diet while breastfeeding so you and your baby get all the nutrients you need. Try to plan meals with lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. Select items from each of the food groups including colorful fruits and vegetables and keep healthy snacks on hand.

If a meal I cook regularly has more calories per serving than I want to eat, I’ll either have a smaller portion, make an adjustment to another meal to compensate, or switch out some of the ingredients to save calories (like using cauliflower rice instead of white rice, for example).

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If you’d like to get a FREE 4-week sample of the meal plan I used to lose 35 pounds, just sign up for my newsletter below and I’ll send it to you as a bonus!

Even if you’re doing everything right to lose weight while breastfeeding, there’s still a chance you may not see the scale budge much. Here are a few areas to consider when you’re ready to throw in the towel.

Prolactin is necessary to make breast milk, but it also affects your body’s ability to metabolize fat. Basically, it makes your body hold onto fat so that you don’t use up all of your resources needed to produce milk. This could be why a breastfeeding mother can never lose those last few extra pounds until she’s done nursing.

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Some women naturally gain more weight during pregnancy than others. Some women can lose weight quicker than others. Our genetics play a big role in how we lose weight, and our body’s natural “happy weight.”

That number may change after having a baby, so don’t feel bad if you can never get down to your pre-pregnancy weight again.

To easiest way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit. But if your diet is full of processed, high-calorie foods and is lacking nutrient-dense foods, you may be sabotaging your progress.

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To make sure you’re eating the very best foods at a calorie deficit, you need to track your foods. It doesn’t have to be forever, but just long enough for you to lose the weight, or until you can easily estimate how many calories a meal will have.

If you’re not seeing the scale budge, it may be time to add in some exercise. As soon as I get the OK from my doctor to exercise, I always see my weight loss take off while I’m breastfeeding.

But remember, you need to exercise with intention. Low to moderate aerobic activity can increase ghrelin and decrease leptin levels. In other words, walking and low-effort exercise can make you hungry. Focus on effective, high-intensity exercise for the best results.

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So what can you do about stress? Unfortunately, not much can be done about your lack of sleep until your baby learns to sleep.

Until that time, you may have to put your weight loss goals on hold. And that’s totally fine! Just focus on staying away from unhealthy food and feeding your body well.

That depends on your unique body, metabolism, activity level, and diet. Many women are able to lose weight while breastfeeding while some may not lose all their baby weight until their baby is weaned.

Does Breastfeeding Really Make You Lose Weight?

The body holds on to some fat stores in order to keep up with milk production, but this should not prevent weight loss on its own. Instead, new moms experiencing sleep deprivation and a low energy level may also have a harder time sticking with healthy habits needed to lose weight.

It’s important for breastfeeding mothers to eat no less than 1500 calories a day to prevent changes in milk supply. Be sure to drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet, high in protein. Don’t restrict yourself, but do practice moderation.

Plan to exercise as frequently as your schedule allows and using routines you enjoy. A helpful app like Noom can assist breastfeeding mothers with creating and following through with appropriate weight loss goals.

How Do You Know When To Stop Breastfeeding?

Most women usually lose the most weight immediately following birth. Initial weight loss after birth is mostly fluids, but it can be up to 13 pounds. Fat loss while breastfeeding typically starts 2 weeks after birth and there is no particular month that marks the most weight loss.

On average, breastfeeding women can safely lose 1-2 pounds per week. This is considered healthy for nursing moms. Rapid weight loss can lead to problems with milk supply.

Breastfeeding itself cannot cause you to retain weight. In fact, a study found that breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months postpartum reduces weight retention.

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It only took me 3.5 months to shed all of that pregnancy weight I had put on and I couldn’t have done it safely and effectively without Noom.

I had my fourth baby in 2021 and I lost the 55 pounds I gained by the time my baby was 5 months using