Whether pumping your milk to feed your little one with a bottle or breastfeeding your newborn directly, your body is still producing milk. This process burns calories and can play a role in postpartum weight loss. So no matter which method you choose, you may notice some benefits.
Hormonal Changes: - Pumping can affect hormonal levels, potentially leading to changes in milk supply if not done correctly. Increased Time Commitment: - Pumping can be time-consuming, which may lead to stress or feelings of being overwhelmed. Potential for Infection:
Thanks to biological and behavioral changes, it's totally normal to gain weight when you stop breastfeeding. "It's really common that women will stop breastfeeding and their weight goes up," G. Thomas Ruiz, M.D., an ob/gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, tells SELF.
A slow and steady weight loss of one pound (about half a kilogram) per week or four pounds (about 2 kilograms) per month is generally considered safe and sustainable (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2022).
Eating more calories than recommended, not getting enough exercise, and retaining water weight are some reasons it could be harder to lose weight while breastfeeding. Hormone levels also play a part, especially if your monthly cycle hasn't yet returned.
If you decide to try power pumping, you'll want to commit to doing so for 5 - 7 days in a row. You should begin to see an increase in your supply after 3 days.
Some might experience headaches or migraines, while others feel exhausted or even dizzy immediately after weaning. Another common post-weaning issue? Acne. Big hormone changes can really throw your body for a loop.
If you're concerned that breastfeeding is the culprit for causing saggy boobs, you can take a breath out because research shows that breastfeeding does not cause your breasts to sag (happy dance!)
“Basically, your body retains fluid around the micro tear to try to heal it,” explains Dr. Calabrese. Water has weight, of course, which is why this healing mechanism can add pounds after a challenging workout.
“I consider mothers who can't breastfeed but can provide breast milk by continuing to pump for many months to be heroic.” Catherine Fenner, IBCLC, a longtime Seattle lactation consultant agrees with Wall. Pumping exclusively to feed a baby is “a gift for the baby who is getting their parent's milk.”
This time-span norm is in part due to the notion that more prolonged pumping will damage breast tissue, the fact that some pumps have built-in timers that stop the pump at 30 minutes, and because babies tend to eat for about 30 minutes between both breasts.
To help you in losing weight while breastfeeding, try to work yourself up to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, which is about 20 to 30 minutes a day of walking. You can also resume things like yoga or tai chi, especially if you were practicing before baby.
Ideally, you should aim to pump every 2-3 hours, including during the night. Yes, it sounds demanding, but remember, newborns eat very frequently! Mimicking your baby's feeding schedule can help ensure a good milk supply. If you're exclusively pumping, aim for at least 8-10 pumping sessions per day.
Research from 2020 shows that breastfeeding may increase appetite, which may lead to increased weight gain if people take in more calories than necessary. Higher levels of prolactin, the hormone involved in milk production, may have links to increased appetite and food intake.
Breastfeeding can cause the nipples to stretch and become more elongated. Sometimes the nipples will go back to normal after pregnancy, but not always. Some women may experience permanent changes to their nipples after pregnancy, such as an increase in nipple size or a change in nipple color.
Pump for two minutes after your milk stops flowing to build a good milk supply. Hand express some drops of breast milk before and after pumping to start the flow of milk and fully drain the breast when pumping.
Waiting too long to nurse or pump can slowly reduce your milk supply. The more you delay nursing or pumping, the less milk your body will make. That's because overfilled (engorged) breasts send a signal to your brain that you need to make less milk.
“With prolactin and oxytocin levels lowering, progesterone and estrogen levels will begin to rise, which in turn sparks ovulation and our menstrual cycle to start up once again,” says Cortner.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that all children, in both developed and undeveloped countries, be breastfed a minimum of two years, or beyond, and acknowledge that the average age of weaning worldwide is about four years old.
How Long After Pumping Do Breasts Refill? Most mothers can see that milk production is building back up within 20–30 minutes of a pumping session. A fuller refill will take longer, usually about an hour or two, depending on how hydrated you are, your diet, and how frequently you pump or nurse.
Pump between breastfeeding, either 30-60 minutes after nursing or at least one hour before breastfeeding. This should leave plenty of milk for your baby at your next feeding. If your baby wants to breastfeed right after breast pumping, let them!