Salma Hayek has an amazing rack – and I’m not talking about her ability to fill a sweater, er, movie role. They’re amazing because of their ability to feed a baby. It’s the real secret in Victoria’s Secret – breasts are not just fun bags. They also squirt milk. Which I suppose could also be considered fun in some circles. Hey, I don’t know what you do with your Friday nights.
But why am I talking about breastfeeding here on a health and fitness blog? (Besides the fact that it’s midnight and that always makes me random?) Because of the old adage that breastfeeding will help you lose weight.
Answering Other People’s Mail: Round Two
Dear Healthlink,
I had a baby 4 months ago. I ‘m breastfeeding, but I really need to lose weight. I need to return to work in about two months and if I don’t lose the weight I won’t have anything to wear and I can’t afford to but a new wardrobe. What can I do?
Healthlink gives a mostly appropriate answer despite being interspersed with little gems like “reduce your intake of all fats” (do they not know what breast milk is made out of??) and “Limit intake of breads” (how about starting with the ice cream or double fudge brownies?) but ends with “women who breastfeed will actually lose weight faster than those who don’t.”
Lactating = Lean?
Super-skinny celebs like Naomi Watts and Heidi Klum swear that breastfeeding was their key to losing their baby weight in like 0.3 seconds. Salma Hayek begs to differ:
“Yes, and I’m still working on it. I gained a lot of weight, I had gestational diabetes. The pregnancy was really difficult for me. I thought, as soon as this baby is out, I’m just going to lose the weight super fast, because I’m going to breast feed, and everybody tells you that if you breastfeed it’s going to come out like this, it’s a lie! It’s not true.”
“Except for a couple of exceptions, the only reason people lose weight like that when they’re breastfeeding, it’s because they’re not eating and they’re breastfeeding, and this is not good for the baby. You know how they tell you it takes nine months to get it, nine months to lose it? There are shortcuts, but it’s not good for the baby. So I’m taking my time. I’ve lost a lot, most of the weight, and I’m very proud of it because it’s been really hard work studying what kind of food to eat that’s healthy for me, healthy for the baby. But I’m still losing even if it’s slow, and I’ve been working out… and the rest is going to go when it’s time to go.”
Lactating = Ravenous
Mad props to Salma for telling it like it is. The only weight I ever lost breastfeeding was the 8 ounces of milk the little sucker ingested. And that always came back. In fact, my body seems to like to keep about 10 extra pounds of reserve stores while I’m nursing.* Have I mentioned that I give birth to 10-pound babies? That double their weight before 6 months? Apparently my body likes to play it safe with the little butterballs. Or maybe I drank too much hormone-laced (cow) milk while pregnant. Anyhow.
This particular little gem always made me so mad. It’s hard enough that people expect you to lose the baby weight the way Paris Hilton loses chihuahuas but it really drives the stake in when people expect it to be easy for you. I know that some women lose weight while breast feeding. I also know that some women have eyelashes that touch their brows without mascara and cellulite-impervious butts.
How about you? Did breast feeding help you lose weight? Or did it just help you lose your breasts when you finished? (Now there’s a fun post for another day!) For those of you who don’t produce a whole food group out of thin air, what are your feelings about breastfeeding in public? Be honest – does it make you uncomfortable?
*A fact it would be good for me to remember these days in all my freaking out about my Last Ten Pounds.
I'm sure there are women for whom nursing allows them to quickly drop their baby weight. Unfortunately, I don't know any of them.
After some unscientific study, I believe that a major factor in determining how quickly a woman loses baby weight is her (whisper) age. Younger = easier. We all know what happens when the metabolism slows, making post-partum weight loss even more difficult. There should be a multiplier factor for Salma Hayek's 9months on, 9months off rule of thumb for every year over 30.
I was only recently able to lose that baby *lasttenpounds* and my youngest is 6 years old (no, I'm not still nursing). Even so, I'm reminded daily by the stretch marks and tummy-tuck candidate stomach that the body after baby is NEVER the same as body before baby. And that is okay.
Love the cow cartoon! I always ducked out to the car or other room to nurse. I never got the hang of the sheet and always worried I would accidentally flash someone.
Breastfeeding helped me lose weight. With each baby I had lost all the weight at 5 months, then got super skinny after 6 months. Then after I weaned them I gained back some weight (which sucked).
Guess I am just a freak 😉
I've never had kids, so I can't speak to the breast-feeding + weight-loss.
I will say that I personally have no issue with the breast-feeding in public (because I think it should be a basic right to be able to feed one's offspring), but I do prefer the blanket over the shoulder move, just because it can be a little unnerving.
Lots of malls here in Calgary have these little separate rooms for breastfeeding, with quiet classical music playing and comfy chairs. It always seems so exclusive in there, especially since you have to ask the 'Mall Services Kiosk" for a code to even get IN the room. Seems like an awful lot of security, but I'm presuming it's to keep the rooms in nice condition.
I have 3 boys. Breastfeeding the 5-month old, and frustrated about the "last 10" pounds I have to lose. I think breastfeeding helps initially, for the uterus to contract and get back to normal, but personally, with all 3 kids, I feel like my body holds onto another 10 pounds. In a way, it's preserving it or something because I need it. When I'm done nursing, i think it kinda disappears. Just me, though.
"Have I mentioned that I give birth to 10-pound babies?"
It's funny that you mention that. I was just reading on a blog about a woman's running experience while pregnant, and there's a conversation on this post (http://babysteps.runnersworld.com/2008/02/placental-contr.html) on how exercise may influence the size of your baby and placenta. I think it's interesting, anyway. 🙂
But as usual, my comments are only vaguely related to your main ideas in the post. :/ I'll work on that.
Breastfeeding does not help me lose the weight at all! Mostly because I'm hungry all.the.time. It's not just regular hunger either, it's crazy dizzy mean mommy I'm going to eat my young if you don't give me that sandwich hungry, even though I ate 3 hours ago. When I do manage to cut calories, the milk supply goes down and I feel guilty. If I work out too much it seems I end up in the boat I currently am in, with mastitis. Ahh, the joys of motherhood no one tells you about lol. Good thing my babies are so darn cute 😉
No kiddos, no breast feeding for me. I offer to breast feed other people's kids though, just so that I can burn those 800 calories while I thumb through In Touch magazine. No one takes me up on it though.
I don't mind public breastfeeding really. I'm kinda used to it, living in SF and LA my whole life. I'm sure there are times and places where it may get a few stares though. 🙂
I'm dealing with this right now. Well, not me, but my household is. For the second time.
After The Girl was born, The Wife lost maybe five pounds during the 9 months she made it breastfeeding. As soon as she stopped nursing, she lost 15 pounds. She's having the same issue currently with The Boy.
Opposite of that, a friend of ours had a baby a few months before The Girl and shed weight like nobody's business while nursing. She then promptly gained 15 of it back after she stopped.
Everyone's different; that's all I can think to say about it.
I did not lose while nursing. Only lost when I stopped pumping, cut back on my eating and upped my running. Just when I lost from #1 (took just under 9 months) – got pregnant with #2. The weight from #2 did take a bit more work and time to get off.
As for what to wear back to work – I bought a black wrap-around skirt and just kept shifting that button in until I was back in my old clothes. That with all my old blazers worked well (I think I bought a couple of solid skirts).
Having had no chillins of my own I can't comment on this. All I know is friends of mine found the last few pounds took at least 9 months to get rid of…I totally agree with the statement that it takes 9 months to gain so it'll take a while to lose. I figure, since you're feeding your baby – you can't starve yourself at the same time. It just doesn't make sense. In my mind you expanded out to have a baby – how can you expect things to just pop back in a short time?
Heck at the moment I find I can't lose anything and I have no baby for a reason…he heh. Nope. It's all me…
i've never had kids so i can't really speak to the whole weight loss thing but i think the breastfeeding thing is fascinating. the baby's saliva has chemicals that tell what the mothers milk needs to include nutrient wise! the mother is actually using her body to nourish another being! it's awesome. which is why it's also awesome that salma hayek is telling it how it is and not doing anything stupid or dangerous just to fit into a pair of jeans and whatnot.
Salma is amazing. I loved when she visited Africa and without even thinking twice, pulled the hungry newborn African baby to her breast and nursed him. And I agree with her and your comments about weight loss while nursing.
I am still 15 lbs over weight with a 10 month old baby. I teach kick boxing on Mondays, Power Tone with weights on Tues, Power Tone again on Thurs, and a mixed class on Friday. So that's 4 good workouts a week. I keep wondering when the scale is going to drop for me again. But maybe it is the muscle I am building back that is keeping my weight stagnant. My clothes are getting a little looser. But I think I'm like you. 10 lbs will stay with me until I wean the little dude. Thanks!
No babies yet for me, but I don't mind breast-feeding in public. I get how it can shock some people since breast are a symbol of sexuality more than motherhood in our society. I find breast-feeding is only natural and the baby is allowed to eat! I also see it as a bonding moment for the mother and the baby, so I tend to think 'aww' just as I do when I see a mother cuddling with her baby (or a father for that matter).
I hate those magazine articles that make it sound easy to lose weight after you have a baby. Credulous people believe that kind of crap! The news just had a story about a woman who'd been feeding her child milk laced with a laxative because she was worried that she 'had a fat baby.' At some stages, it's normal to be a little bit chubby. Go Salma!
But there are women for whom breast milk will not get secreted at all.. what about them?!
I'm still not sure about this one. I am 4 months and some change post-partum. I've lost a steady 2 pounds a week since the birth without too much extreme effort. I pumped for all of this time but am weaning now. I am curious to see if my weight loss will slow or not.
Now if only I hadn't gained an obscene amount of weight during pregnancy!
My first is seven weeks old, so I'm not sure. I have about 10 pounds left to lose that aren't going anywhere. I have a problem making enough milk, so my lactation consultant told me to eat more. That + sitting around feeding for 8 hours a day? Probably will not result in weight loss. I posted about it today as a matter of fact: http://wingingitnaturally.wordpress.com/
And no, I don't feel weird about feeding in public, though I understand that some people might feel uncomfortable, and I think that's totally fine. So I have a drape. It's not a big deal.
Your post kinda made me sad. I always thought breast feeding women dropped weight without trying. I was thinking of getting pregnant just to breast feed to lose my last 15 lbs. Shouldn't do that then, huh??
As a single non-mother I find it horribly uncomfortable for a mother to nurse openly in public. I'm all for the covered feeding. But if you sit there, undressed on top – or with one booby out – at the Macy's 8th floor exhibit (true story) you will make everyone uncomfortable. If you didn't have a baby attached to the nipple would you let your boob out in public?? Probably not. Don't do it with a baby attached. Throw a blanket over the baby and your shoulder and everyone is happy.
That's my rant.
How would I know 🙂
Lately I've had to comment on High Heels, Cleavage, and now this, where's the fair and balanced? Actually I prefer it this way 🙂
I've seen a pretty skinny fox in my area that has been breast feeding her litter, so I say, yes it does, but then she had six babies!
OK, I want to move to Calgary!!! They have universal health care and private rooms for nursing moms!
I didn't lose weight by nursing. And my boobs…Lord help me, I was a 40E!!!!!!
This idea that we're "supposed" to look like we never had a baby is ludicrous! If we were meant to look that way, we would. But we don't, so we're not.
So there, Hollywood! Ththththbbbbppt!!!!!!
Breast feeding shifted almost all of my baby weight pretty quickly. But now I eat huge amounts and think I will be weaning myself off cake and second breakfast whilst weaning the little one.
Breast feeding in public is protected in law here in Scotland so me and the little one have no issues there! Plus feeding baby = easier to be around than crying, hungry baby!
I know nothing!!!!!!!!!!! I would not even get pregant to try this theory! 🙂
First off, super cool pic! hilarious! (sorry for long post)
Second, breast feeding=many benefits to mom and kid. There is now great scientific evidence that natural breast feeding stimulates release of "bonding and attachment" hormones in baby and mom; i.e. they learn to like each other, generally thought of as being a "good thing". Also good evidence that breast feeding reduces the risk of developing post-partum depression. Let me expound on this point a bit. Imagine this, your cow (you know in the cartoon) has her offspring. Then the offspring fails to stand up; in fact, it fails to start breathing. It's dead. (I don't mean like veal so calm down, this is a thought experiment damn it!) Any how, the baby cow, cute as can be is a cute as hell dead baby cow, but who cares about dead baby cows, let's check out mom. What's going on with momma cow? For lack of better terms, she's fucked up, or just plain fucked, your call. See, for momma she's been thru about 10 months of gestation and she's been "waiting" and "expecting" this day to come. Moreover, she's been expecting whatever popped out of her to start sucking on her tit. When that fails to happen her natural biological processes (esp those in the brain) start to say (forgive the overuse of technical neuroscientific jargon) OH SHITE!!!!! See, she's been designed to spit out baby cows that suckle. When that fails to happen, momma gets sad 🙁
Same goes for female Homo sapiens, we tend to call them women. Women who fail to, or choose not to breast feed are at a significant risk for developing post-partum depression because there is nothing hanging off their tit. Bottle-feeding is actually an unnaturalistic homolog to stillbirth or loss of an infant and is also commonly associated with post-partum depression. Take that Tom Cruise you short f.. digression.
Breastfeeding is also wonderful for the lil' one. Increases immunological function, mental health, immunizes against certain pathological and physical insults. The list goes on, and its for the same reasons as I outlined for momma cow: We've (female Homo sapiens) been designed to spit out offspring who then immediately or shortly thereafter start to suckle the tit. (Notice how I used Tit excessively in this post, hehe).
Now does it help you lose weight. Biologically speaking it should help you maintain a natural post-partum weight. That is, without breastfeeding your body may be tricked into thinking the baby has died (i.e. post-partum depression) or that the baby has not yet come out. If the latter ensues than your body will work very hard to retain fat deposits for further embryological nutrition. Breastfeeding sets off a stream of neurological/psychological and physiological mechanisms that the female body (species not important here because it's true for all) to produce viable living sucking mini-me's, or mini-you's, or mini-hubbies. One of those is to maximize metabolic usage of fat to produce breastmilk and the hormones/steroids need to be a good mother. When we fail to pay attention to the natural biological mechanisms that are at play, then a number of pathological conditions can arise, including precursors to obesity. I should note here, however, that while failing to follow your biological google map might make one obese, that path usually leads to less nooky and so the problem should not persist for too long.
Oh fabulous! Here we go! I should look back to see what I said when you originally ran this post since I was then BFing a one-month old. Now he's almost one and still latched on. I always look back on BFing and for me, will say it takes off the pounds. That said, it takes off the pounds G-R-A-D-U-A-L-L-Y. I distinctly remember at 5 months having a good, extra 15 pounds on me. It wasn't the 45 I had gained though, or the 35 I had come home from the hospital. Still, the weight wasn't gone like so many women want by then. For a while, while suffering from mastitis after plugged duct after bleb, part of combating those issues was upping my fat/calories because, as I was told, I was "doing more than the BFing body is meant to do." Now, here I am at a year postpartum and I still have those "10 pounds" but in a year I've lost 40. A YEAR. But come to think of it I've had those last 10 lbs since I was about 20. At what point do you just "absorb" those 10 pounds and they become an accepted part of your weight–you know, when you just recalibrate and start with a new baseline? I think that's where I'm at–a new baseline. I'm not 20, I've had four kids and I sure as hell have a lot more muscle. When does that 10 pounds become acceptable?
If I may say–and this is not gratuitous, I promise–your breastfeeding weight looks good on you. I didn't get to comment on the post with all the photos earlier this week. Seriously, as I scanned them I was totally checking you out and aside from the fact you do have quite the nice rack:-) from head to toe you look marvelous! All those adjectives that might make you squeeamish–curvy, womanly, healthy–I think, especially in today's cover-model-coveting-world, make true beauty stand out.
I only got to breastfeed for a few months, but it sure didn't help me lose any weight. I never did it in public because for one thing, my baby was still small and I didnt have him out a lot, and I'm also VERY clumsy and would more than likely have given everyone a show they probably wouldn't have wanted to see. =) I have no problem with nursing in public as long as the mommy knows how to keep it covered.
I know this is off subject, but if any of you have stretch marks, I found a better way to get rid of them than overly expensive creams. Exfoliate in the shower/bath for about 3-5 min with a loofah/sponge (whatever you prefer) every other day, then apply a generous amount of aloe or cocoa butter and wait about 20 min before getting dressed. I just started doing this 3 weeks ago and I can tell a MAJOR difference.
You especially, Charlotte, will love this story. My friend told me that about 20 years ago the Relief Society ladies in her ward all sewed "nursing ponchos" out of double-knit polyester that zipped up to the neck. She said that during sacrament meeting, at any given time, you could hear the "zippp" as the woman slipped her poncho (probably in some sweet pastel floral)over her head to nurse her baby. Instead of being discreet, it would immediately call the attention of those around her to her task. She said it didn't take too long for the nursing ponchos find their way to the thrift store. Heehee, only us Mormons!
The thinnest I've ever been in my life was due to breastfeeding both my children. Right around month five, the weight just melts off and my metabolism is kicked into ultra- high gear. I even got comments that maybe I wasn't eating enough, but that wasn't the case at all. (In fact I was eating whatever I wanted, which I hadn't done in years!) I always wished I could bottle whatever it was that was effecting my metabolism and sell it- I would make a fortune. And, unfortunately, as soon as weaning time came, the extra 10-15 came right back just as fast as it left.
AND, much to my surprise my boobs did shrink- something that took me completely of gaurd. I'm a full cup smaller than I was before I ever got pregnant. And my youngest is 3 so I'm not holding out hope that things will change.
Regarding breastfeeding in public, I believe the vast majority of people don't care as long as your doing it with some amount of privacy. I don't really agree with letting it all hang out in public. Those few that do seem to care, I learned to completely ignore. I always just told myself that people would be more annoyed if my baby was screaming because he was hungry than if I sat down and took care of him!
I gained around 40 pounds while pregnant, breastfed 6 months and all 40 plus another 10 were gone when I quit.
HOWEVER, I was also eating whatever I wanted–baby boy LOVED his food, LOL–and I didn't stop after quitting breastfeeding. Those extra calories added up to gaining back 15 pounds after quitting, making me 5 pounds heavier than when I got pregnant.
I plan to start trying again this summer and am hoping A) not to gain as much weight and B) breastfeed until 6 months again and C) stop eating as much once done breastfeeding!
I'm also 5 years older, so I'm sure that will factor in, too.
Oh I want to slap that Missy for her "rant"… gosh it's so easy to be filled with opinions about babies and breastfeeding when you've never had a child!
Firstly if you're already 15lbs overweight now, you will probably have 30lbs that are tricky to shift after you have a baby… maybe more
and secondly how sad for YOU that a child eating makes you uncomfortable… i seriously hope for your sake that your opinion changes should you have a child… little babies are difficult creatures… you cannot control when they cry, when they are hungry… in fact, pretty much everything… being a new mum is one of the toughest things in the world without people like you putting YOUR issues about breastfeeding onto them…
Just answer me this question: Should you be forced to hide under a blanket while you eat your lunch?
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
Thanks for this post! I kept expecting the weight to start dropping off after I had the kid, and it just didn't.
While I was pregnant, I was RAVENOUS. I gained 42 pounds. (I asked one of my midwives about my weight gain and got generic advice to make sure I'm eating healthy and exercising. She kind of missed the point. I gained weight because I was hungry. I would have eaten whole horses at this point if they sold them at the grocery store.)
After having the kid and losing a bunch of water weight, I was left with 20 pounds. And the scale didn't budge for 3 months. Finally, it started dropping off during month 4. That's when I started working with Lindsey (and she is kicking my ass) and it's also when a big hormonal change happens, breastfeeding-wise, so I wonder if that has something to do with it too.
I should be happy about finally starting to lose the weight, but it just means that while my pre-preg jeans are still too small, the jeans I bought after the baby are all still too big. I guess it's a good problem to have…?
One last thing – I've always wondered if the "breastfeeding makes you lose weight" idea comes from people who are doing a combo of breastfeeding and formula? Maybe your body thinks of that as weaning, and thus time to lose?
After hitting the gym, doing yoga and jogging, people are now trying blood group-based diets, popular in the West. Experts say the secret to a fit body may be hidden in the blood type, and these diets are finding a foothold in India.Explaining how such diets work, Ekta Tandon, dietician at dailydiet.in, says a chemical reaction occurs between your blood and foods as they are digested.“Lectins, a diverse and abundant protein found in food, may be incompatible with your blood group. I recommend that one follow a blood group diet along with regular food to provide the body with all nutrients,” she adds. American naturopaths James D'Adamo and his son Peter D'Adamo, founder of blood group-based diets, feel each person's blood group is the key to how he/she burns calories. Also, it decides what food they should eat and how they benefit from a certain type of exercise.
Hi, with my first daughter i only bf for 8 weeks and started at the gym when she was 11 weeks, it took 5 months to shift 2 stone, but that was with nights out on some weekends so i could of probably lost it faster. My second daughter is now 17 weeks and im still breast feeding her, i've lost all my baby weight but cant seem to get passed my pre pregnancy weight! Ive been eating very healthy, lots of fruit and veg, all good food, and ive not even set foot in the gym, the fact i cant drink has probably helped as well, so i dont think its just down to breast feeding id say its a mixture of things.
Thank you for this!! I SO miss running but my back can't take it with these knockers!
I'm 35 (soon 36) and my first last and only son is 14 months now (he's gradually self-weaning). I gained some 45+/- pounds during pregnancy (couldn't exercise in the beginning and then got lazy). After the 9 lb 6 oz kid and the biggest placenta my midwife had ever seen, I lost 20 lbs in a flash… then gained back five or so and here I sit. I nursed exclusively for 5 months but couldn't keep up with his growth so he started solids early but didn't let up with nursing. Never did formula.
I've searched and searched for answers about why I'm not losing weight with a healthy diet and exercise. THANK YOU. Now I know I'm not alone.
By the by, here in Texas (born n raised here but still don't get some things) public breastfeeding is frowned upon. I did/do it anyway and don't even blink. It's my right to feed my child. I do try to be curtious though.
Your body is in a different physiological role right now: providing nutrition for you and the baby. For me, 9 months was the hardest time with my second child. He did not sleep worth a damn, and I was stuck at 10 lbs over prepregnancy weight. Once he began sleeping through the night, the majority of that weight came off. However, I stayed about 3-5 lbs over prepregnancy until he weaned at 18 months. Same with my first. Once they weaned, then the weight came off.
Be patient with yourself. I would eat to satiety with healthy foods, and stay away from the junk, including the paleo baking/nut flour stuff. Your body will take what it needs, and over time you will gradually shift.
And yes, men do lose weight faster. Particularly compared to a woman who is postpartum and nursing. Women’s hormones are all over the place, prolactin is high, estrogen/progesterone may or may not have returned to pre-pregnancy levels, cycles are absent or irregular, and many women need an increased fat percentage to maintain healthy milk supply.
Also, FYI even though my weight went down to prepregnancy, my build is different. Particularly, I have the oh so attractive fat deposits on shoulders, upper back, arms. I am having to work diligently to get rid of those.
I drop a leave a response each time I appreciate a article on a website or I
have something to add to the discussion. Usually it is a result of the passion displayed in the post I browsed.
And after this article Does Breast Feeding Help You Lose Weight?.
I was actually excited enough to post a thought 😉 I actually
do have some questions for you if it’s okay. Could it be just me or do some of the comments
look as if they are written by brain dead visitors?
😛 And, if you are posting at other online social sites, I would like to follow you.
Could you make a list all of your public pages like your twitter feed, Facebook
page or linkedin profile?