Breastfeeding helps mom lose weight
There have been several studies on the impact of breastfeeding on mom’s health. While there are discrepancies, most studies conclude that mothers who breastfeed quickly return to their prenatal weight [1].
What mom needs
Using breastfeeding as a way to lose baby weight only works if you exclusively breastfeed on demand, without supplementary feeding [2]. Milk production consumes a lot of calories. However, breastfeeding is not the only or even the main factor affecting weight. Diet, physical activity and (this is the most difficult!) the amount of sleep you get are very important factors too [1, 3].
What baby needs
Baby now needs confidence that food is available at any time. In the second week, babies may demand to be fed every hour. But don’t worry, as the baby's stomach grows, the frequency of feedings will decrease.
