How to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

In the past, it was necessary for mothers to wait to start seeing the effects of breastfeeding. Now, many doctors are educating new mothers on how to lose weight while breastfeeding. This is because there has been a number of studies done to prove that breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of certain types of cancers.

How much should you eat? Most experts recommend that you follow a basic protein, fat, and carbohydrates diet. Some people, though, might find they just want to alter their eating habits or exercise routine. Finding something that you like to do will help you stick to a healthy diet plan.

Some women will need to eat less carbohydrates to get their body weight back down to a normal range. If you need to cut back on your carbohydrates intake drastically, make sure you know exactly how much you are consuming so you don't double up or eat more foods than you're supposed to. Another way to reduce your carbohydrates intake without affecting your milk supply is to eat lean meats. Protein is important, too, but it will be easier for you to eat lean meats if you keep your protein consumption up as well.

One of the biggest things to consider when losing weight while breastfeeding is your fat intake. While you are nursing, you are expending a lot of calories. You want to make sure that you are replacing those calories with good fats. There are a lot of great options for good fats these days. Women who are trying to learn how to lose weight while breastfeeding should look for foods that offer the following benefits:

* Excellent sources of essential fats include nuts, seeds, olives and olive oil. Women should be able to find all of these kinds of fat in their daily diet. They can eat as many of these foods as they want and still meet their recommended daily calorie limit. To help with weight loss and stay healthy, it's a good idea for new moms to eat as many different kinds of fruits and vegetables as possible, too.

* Count calories. While it may seem like common sense, it's actually important for new mothers to count calories even when they are breastfeeding. By doing this, they will be able to have the best possible weight loss program, whether it's by working out at a gym, eating at home, or popping some exercise supplements. Counting calories will help you find out how many extra calories are coming from each food you eat.

* Stay away from junk food and other fattening foods. One of the best ways to lose weight while breastfeeding is to simply remove all the junk food and processed food from your diet. A simple way to do this would be to buy whole grain cereals, pastas and other healthy foods instead of junk food. If you need help in making this decision, then talk with your pediatrician.

* Take it easy on the caffeine. Caffeine can affect your milk supply, so it's important that moms who are trying to gain weight know when and how much they can drink of their own milk. Even if you are taking a supplement that has a caffeine component, keep in mind that caffeine itself doesn't always cause a negative impact on your body. In fact, many doctors recommend a moderate consumption of coffee on a daily basis to help boost your immune system and ward off sickness.

* Workout for your baby. Because nursing can be so physically draining, make sure that you get enough exercise to boost your energy levels and burn up excess calories. When you are nursing, you are more likely to crave unhealthy foods, which makes it harder to stay on a healthier diet. Workout for your baby every few hours during the day, either through walking, jogging or even just taking a swim in a pool.

* Stay hydrated. Moms who are able to drink enough water are less likely to suffer from exhaustion during their day. If you don't already practice drinking enough water, begin to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. This will also keep you hydrated during those times when you are nursing and feel that you aren't getting enough milk to feed your baby. If you're wondering how to lose weight while breastfeeding, staying hydrated should be one of the first things you learn. Milk production can drop quickly when dehydration occurs, so be sure to get plenty of water into your system to ensure you don't become dehydrated.

* Give baby fiber. One of the reasons you might feel tired after giving birth is that your body has lost a large amount of fluids, leaving you with only a little bit of water in your system. Not only does this make it difficult to stay hydrated, but it can also make it harder for you to produce milk, as well as leaving your body open to infection. To give your body back some of the water it needs to function, try adding a spoonful of fiber to your diet, especially right before and after you feed your baby.