For many mothers and mothers-to-be, the breastfeeding process is full of big question marks. First-time mothers are curious about the answers to questions such as when milk comes, which foods increase breast milk, how to eat while breastfeeding, and whether weight loss occurs while breastfeeding. Especially the weight gained during pregnancy can become a source of great stress for the new mother. The idea of dieting during breastfeeding does not sound very good for the baby’s nutrition. So, can you lose weight while breastfeeding?
Dieting while breastfeeding!
For a breastfeeding mother with a newborn baby, feeding the baby is very important. However, it is also natural for the mother to feel and look good and to want to wear her old clothes again. A strict diet or starvation is not recommended during this period. Here, it is essential for the mother to consult a physician and to proceed according to the route to be drawn by the dietitian. The mother should not starve herself, especially during breastfeeding, should not prefer diets that lead to a single food, and should consult her physician when taking supplements.
Does Breastfeeding Make You Lose Weight?
Breastfeeding is one way for a mother who has given birth during the breastfeeding period to lose the birth weight. It is also known that breastfeeding helps the mother to eliminate edema and quickly regain the lost form. although the statement “breastfeeding makes you lose weight” is not very scientific, breastfeeding helps to eliminate toxins and edema. During breastfeeding, the mother burns calories without exerting effort. Therefore, a healthy diet, walking and frequent breastfeeding can be seen as the clearest formula to help the mother recover. If you cannot be with your baby during breastfeeding, you can use a breast pump. You can store expressed milk in milk storage bags or milk storage bottles.
How to get in shape while breastfeeding…
Eating a protein-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep during breastfeeding are important for the baby to benefit from breast milk. In addition, there is no need for packaged foods such as pasta, ravioli, pastry, fried foods, syrupy desserts and chocolate. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should prefer grilled meat, grilled fish, salads, vegetable dishes, yogurt, milk desserts instead of such foods in their diet, and light walks whenever possible can help their body recover faster. Moreover, a balanced diet and small physical movements will have a positive effect on the quality and quantity of breast milk. On the other hand, while the imposition of syrupy desserts by adults triggers post-pregnancy weight gain, some foods can cause a lot of gas even though they increase breast milk. For example, while spring onions are known to have a positive effect on the amount of breast milk, they can also cause gas and increase the baby’s colic problem.
Practical ideas on how to lose weight while breastfeeding..
Many dietary recommendations include grilled meat, grilled fish with salad, soup, etc. However, for a new mother who is already sleep deprived while taking care of her baby, who is not yet able to adapt to the changing conditions at home and who suffers from lack of time, preparing these menus is not very feasible. But with a few practical ideas, you can make things work. Here are some tips..
- By stocking up on frozen fish fillets and washed packaged greens in the fridge, you can prepare light menus that are both delicious and practical. While leaving the frozen fish fillet to cook in a pan or in the oven with a little extra virgin olive oil, you can shred the washed greens with your hands in five minutes and make your salad ready by squeezing lemon over it.
- Lentils are a great source of protein. It is a very good diet product unless you make a fatty lentil dish or soup. Wash the green lentils and cook them in a pressure cooker with onion. This dish, which you can prepare in just ten minutes, keeps you full, is low in calories but is even richer in protein than meat. During breastfeeding, lentils can cause gas, so you can cook them after boiling.
- Pack a baby bag and take the baby for a walk outside at least once a day. These short walks will allow the baby to breathe air, explore the outside world, and open its perception, while keeping you in shape and increasing your milk by speeding up your blood circulation. You can also do your daily chores in the meantime. Best of all, your baby, tired from walking around, will have a good sleep when he/she comes home.