• During pregnancy, an adequately nourished woman gains more weight than the total weight of the baby and the support system (mainly the placenta).
• Part of this extra weight is due to fat stores laid down during pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding.
• A breastfeeding mother consumes around 500-800 extra calories per day to produce breast milk.
• Part of this extra energy comes from extra foods that a breastfeeding mother should eat.
• Some of the extra energy, however, comes from the fat stores laid down in pregnancy.
• Thus, a breastfeeding mother can eat more and still lose weight.
• This way, breastfeeding helps you return to your pre-pregnancy weight and shape sooner.
• No crash diets:
  • You should not diet during breastfeeding. Crash diets are always a bad idea, but especially so during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • The quality and quantity of your breast milk will not suffer appreciably unless you are severely malnourished.
  • If your diet is deficient, your own body will be robbed of essential substances to make sure your breast milk contains them.
• Eat and drink well, but don't overdo it:
  • You should eat some extra food to provide for some of the extra energy required for lactation. But don't overdo it! Let hunger, not habit, be your guide.
  • You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid being dehydrated. But don't overdo it! Let thirst, not a schedule, be your guide. Make sure you have a drink ready while you're nursing your baby. Often, you will suddenly feel thirsty when let-down occurs.

Sci-fi Fan Moms Book Club

Picking a Moms Club

Sahm I Am's Webrings

My Depo Horror Story

Email Loops

The Message Board Area

Breastfeeding a Fussy Baby

Increase Your Breastmilk Production

ICY-s Book Review

Advertise On Sahm I Am

Breastfeeding An Adopted Baby

Life As A Sahm

Nipple Confusion

Baby Gear

Parenting Advice

Travel Tips

Mastitis Help

Dealing with Criticism

My Weight Loss Journey

Breastfeeding and Diet

Breastfeeding and Weight Loss

Attachment Parenting

Pet Corner

ICY's Page

Keeping Busy

Working From Home

Parenting Links