Lose Weight When You Quit Breastfeeding

XProcess of secretion and feeding of breastmilk after childbirth assists in postpartum weight loss. During exclusive nursing (the first six months), you may consume an excess of about 400-500 kilocalories per 24 hours for milk production (1). However, the process of breastfeeding affects the metabolism, due to which you may end up losing some weight.

In this post, we discuss the effects of lactation and its link with maternal weight gain. While on the topic, note that dieting is not recommended during lactation as it may comprise the nutritional needs of the mother and the baby.

XProcess of transitioning a baby’s diet from breastmilk or formula to solids and other liquids and weight gain. It is true that breastfeeding burns more calories and also makes metabolism more efficient (2). However, the likelihood of weight gain after cessation of breastfeeding could vary from one woman to another. While some women gain weight after they wean their babies, it does not happen with all women.

Breastfeeding Can Help You Lose Pregnancy Weight. Here's How

“When moms begin weaning their breastfed babies, the extra calorie need decreases. However, sometimes, moms will experience weight gain after weaning their baby and no longer making breast milk. This can have two causes: hormones and overeating on calories. A breastfeeding and weaning mom’s hormones are changing daily, which can cause the body to hold on to more weight. The weaning mother may also continue to eat the same calories that she ate while breastfeeding out of habit. This can cause weight gain.”

Breastfeeding mothers need more calories to meet their requirements for nutrition and breast milk production (3). Thus, your appetite may increase during breastfeeding, and it may stay that way for a while even after you wean your baby. The excess calories may eventually lead to weight gain. The effects of caloric surplus could be compounded by a lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Prolactin and oxytocin i XA hormone that stimulates let down of the accumulated milk while nursing are hormones that play a significant role in breastmilk production. Once you stop breastfeeding, these hormones begin to drop. Both oxytocin and prolactin play an essential role in your emotional wellness. Some women may experience depression or feel low, causing them to binge eat, which could cause weight gain (4).

Weaning For Older Children

“Mothers experience hormonal changes after weaning, which can make them feel down. Weaning also makes them feel that they have lost connection with their child now that the child is growing up and ‘no longer needs her.’ When they feel negative emotions, some mothers turn to stress eating, leading to weight gain.”

“Once you stop breastfeeding, it is important to decrease your food intake a bit to compensate for the drop in your body’s energy requirement. It doesn’t have to be all at once. You can do this by gradually decreasing your serving sizes. Don’t eliminate foods, just eat a slightly smaller portion. Over time, your hunger and appetite will adjust to the change in caloric intake.”

Avoid multitasking during mealtimes and focus on eating. Eating mindfully will help you know when you are full and prevent overeating (7).

How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (without Losing Your Milk Supply)

You may reduce the extra calories you consume and work out regularly to reduce belly fat once your baby is weaned. If you do not get the desired results, speak to a dietician for a suitable diet plan.

Some women may experience milk discharge for up to two to three years after weaning the baby off breast milk. The milky discharge typically involves both the breasts. However, not all women may experience this (5).

Increased breastfeeding may impact postpartum weight retention. According to a study, mothers who fully breastfeed their babies for a prolonged period (at least three months) had reduced pregnancy weight retention (8).

Why Your Breastfed Baby Is Not Gaining Weight

Some women associate breastfeeding with weight gain, but no studies have proven the same. However, after weaning a baby, weight gain in some women could be due to hormonal changes or surplus calories. Moderate exercise, eating a healthy diet, and staying active as much as possible are a few tips that can help manage weight gain after breastfeeding the baby. However, note that losing the extra baby weight will take time, so do not rush to lose weight faster.

Cessation of breastfeeding brings noticeable changes in a mother’s body. Knowing how to deal with this phase could ease your concerns to a large extent. Explore this infographic for helpful tips and share it with your friends and fellow mothers.

's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Postpartum Weight Loss: How To Lose Weight After Baby

8. Muna J.Tahir et al.; Association of Full Breastfeeding Duration with Postpartum Weight Retention in a Cohort of Predominantly Breastfeeding Women; US National Library of Medicine

Regina qualified as a midwife in 2005 in Germany and has since worked in maternity care in England and Ireland. She achieved stage 1 of the UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation as infant feeding lead midwife at Ealing Hospital in London and worked in the lactation team of the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. She did her Neonatal Examination Course...more

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more

Post Pregnancy: How Your Body Changes Once You Stop Breastfeeding

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...moreThe views expressed in are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Learn more about our guidelines

So I've struggled big time with losing the weight. I have been eating well and exercising more than ever and it has not budged since 2 months post partum. If I was doing this before baby id be 100 pounds right now. So it's been so frustrating. I honestly wouldn't care as much, but I'm getting married on a beach in 2 months.

Effective Breastfeeding Tips, Challenges, And How It Helps You Lose Weight

Anyways, apparently some women actually hold on to the weight until after they stop breastfeeding. Anyone experience this? If so when did you see the weight start to come off? At this point I'd just be happy if my cup size went down.

I stopped breastfeeding 2 weeks ago (for other reasons) and was crossing my fingers that i might be one of those ladies that lost more after. Sigh.

So could have written this myself! I had an October 2013 baby that I nursed followed by my dec 2014 baby that I weaned about 3 weeks ago. I did not lose weight during breastfeeding so I assumed it would have to happen once I stopped. NOPE! I have been the same weight for 5 months! So frustrating!

The Best Teas To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Dang! I don't really have any suggestions but I was really hoping that once I stopped nursing the weight would come off quicker and faster so that is disappointing to hear it hasn't worked for you.

I have only lost 25 out of the 50 I gained and I was overweight before I got pregnant. But I'm finally starting to see the scale move by doing a high protein and low carb diet.

Give yourself time and be easy on yourself. I have to constantly remind myself we had a baby 9 months ago! Good luck doll!

Why Some Women Rapidly Lose Weight Breastfeeding

I lost the weight when I stopped breastfeeding. But, it's also when I started dieting and exercising. So, I think it was a combination of both.

I could help you get to your goals, mama! I'm one of the lucky ones who has lost weight while bf, but it's also because I eat clean and exercise! Let me know if you'd like to join an upcoming challenge group of mine where we focus on eating right and exercising. Here's my results pics from the T25 exercise program plus dense nutrition. My email is amberpackard8@gmail.com if you wanna chat more!

I hold on to weight when BFing. I weaned my first at 7.5 months and then lost 15 pounds over the next six weeks before getting pregnant with this baby. Lost all of her baby weight, but I'm still holding on to the extra 30 from him. It was like a switch flipped when I stopped BFing my son, and the weight started melting away. I'm hoping the same happens

How Do Your Hormones Change After Weaning?