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| August 24 | |
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Breast Feeding and Weight |
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Two recent studies focus on breastfeeding and weight–yours and your child’s. Many women who have recently given birth would like to also give back the excess weight they gained during pregnancy–mom’s who breastfeed are no exception, but a mom who breastfeeds might be concerned that losing weight may not be safe. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, you can lose weight safely–if you do it right. Researchers found that the best way to lose weight while breastfeeding is through a combination of dieting and aerobic exercise. Compared with dieting alone, this combination protects against losing lean body mass and provides good milk. Your goal should be to lose weight slowly. The average weight loss for participants in the study was about two and a half pounds per week. The good news is that women who breastfeed have a head start, since breastfeeding takes energy, which means you’re burning calories just by feeding your child! We know that children who are obese early in life are more likely to become obese adults. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of early childhood obesity, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. Children who were breastfed for more than 12 months were least likely to be overweight. But even those breastfed for 3 months had less risk than those who were not breastfed at all. The good news is that, even for moms who work, breastfeeding during your time home can mean a lot. Many women do find it difficult to continue breastfeeding when returning to work; some employers are recognizing this fact and providing lactation rooms. If your place of employment doesn’t have a place for you to pump, you may want to suggest that one be provided, or even offer to help develop one. You’ll not only benefit, but you'll help other moms, and their children, too! Resources McCrory MA et al. Randomized Trial of the Short-Term Effects of Dieting Compared with Dieting Plus Aerobic Exercise on Lactation Performance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 1999: 69(5):959-867 on Kries R, Koletzko B. Sauerwald T, et al. _Breast feeding and obesity: cross sectional study. British Medical Journal. 1999:319:147-150. Resources La Leche League Breastfeeding.com |
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