Does Breastfeeding help in Postpartum Weight Loss?

This is a very common question among us breastfeeding mums.

So common that I forgot all about it … until one of the mamas asked me this question during one of the workshops.

I certainly have had my own experiences with regard to breastfeeding and weight loss.

But I also did a little research and reading up on what the actual data is, especially when many mothers are raving about how breastfeeding helped them in losing their excessive postpartum weight. Then there are equally many mothers who like me, experienced differently.

When it comes to breastfeeding, I believe there is value in understanding what the science says and what mums truly experience on the ground.

And so, I have take the liberty to look at this via 2 perspectives.

What the researches say.

And what real women I know say.

Simple Ground Research

To hear from the real experiences of mothers I personally know, I simply threw this question out to my network of mamas to get them to share their own experiences (just a simple ground sampling).

Out of the 10 mothers who replied instantly, 3 raved about how BF helped them with weight loss after pregnancy. The rest said not at all.

(I’m not doing a full fledged evidence-based study here, so I’ll stick to this small sampling size for now)

Photo by Pixabay

What the Researches Say

A study done by Jarlenski et al in 2014 evaluated the effects of maternal weight loss in 12 months postpartum among US women. The study provided evidence that exclusive breast-feeding for at least 3 months has a small effect on postpartum weight loss among US women.

Compared to women who did not breastfeed or breastfed non-exclusively, exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months resulted in 3.2 pounds (1.45kg) greater weight loss at 12 months postpartum.

So, there is an actual difference!

Though I must say “1.45kg greater weight loss” may not be a very exciting number to see, if a mother is harbouring high hopes on BF as one of her key strategies to losing the excess weight gain.

The International Journal of Obesity published another systematic review which says that overall, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that BF promotes greater postpartum weight loss for women, compared to other methods of feeding. Although BF may help some other women lose weight, it cannot be generalised across all BF women.

What does this mean?

Given the multifactorial nature of postpartum weight change, it is difficult to establish what factors have the greatest influence on weight retention and what areas need to be targeted in preventive measures.

The fact is that there are a variety of other reasons why BF women do not lose weight. BF should be promoted for its health benefits for both mother and child, and should not be solely relied upon as a way for women to compensate for excessive gestational weight gain or to increase postpartum weight loss.

“The individual needs of BF women are likely different to this non-BF women. In addition to adjusting to the needs of a newborn baby and recovering from childbirth, BF women often experience added pressures, such as problems in establishing feeding routines and infant sleeping patterns, which in turn, may affect the mother’s quality and duration of sleep, and psychological health. Any combination of these factors is likely to impact on the extent of weight loss.

Although there was some evidence to suggest that BF for at least 6 months may promote weight loss, this will not apply to all BF women.” ~ (Neville, 2014)

Photo by Mateusz Dach from Pexels

Here's my simple personal take on this.

Although breastfeeding may promote postpartum weight loss, due to the caloric expenditures required for lactation (1) or metabolic changes that are favourable to weight loss (2), I strongly believe we can always do better to support other women (beyond science).

• Avoid telling women that breast-feeding will help with their weight loss, because in reality this statement cannot apply to all BF women. We may end up causing unnecessary disappointment and anxiety when expectations are not met.
• See BF as what it is - provide food, nourishment and connection for your baby, not as a weight loss tool.
• Context before content. Every BODY is different. Everyone’s family and support structure is different. Everyone’s social economic status is different. And therefore the the impact of breastfeeding on postpartum weight loss for all BF women will not be the same.

I can’t wait to see you get stronger and fitter from inside out!

(1) Dewey, 1997

(2) Stuebe and Rich-Edwards, 2009

Jarlenski MP, Bennett WL, Bleich SN, Barry CL, Stuart EA. Effects of breastfeeding on postpartum weight loss among U.S. women. Prev Med. 2014;69:146-150. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.09.018

Neville, C., McKinley, M., Holmes, V. et al. The relationship between breastfeeding and postpartum weight change—a systematic review and critical evaluation. Int J Obes 38, 577–590 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.132

Main Photo by Wendy Wei from Pexels