Komal Das Komal Das Asked 6 months ago

Does breastfeeding cause weight loss or gain?

I'm a new mom, and I've heard conflicting things from friends. Some say breastfeeding helps you lose weight, while others say they gained weight. What's the reality? Does breastfeeding cause weight loss or gain?

12

12 answers

Ramanathan Krishnan Ramanathan Krishnan Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago
Most liked

People on the internet will tell you stories about how they lost 10 kgs in a month, but don't fall for these claims. Talk to a qualified doctor or dietitian who understands your postpartum body. Every woman's hormonal balance is different.

Sanjay Dutt Sanjay Dutt Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Look, it can do both. You burn calories while feeding, which helps you lose weight, but if you eat heavy sweets and ghee non-stop, you will gain. Keep it balanced and don't overcomplicate it.

Simran Kaur Simran Kaur Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

Listen to me, don't worry about weight loss or gain right now. Your body is doing a massive job feeding a tiny life. Focus on eating nourishing foods, and your weight will stabilize naturally in its own time.

Meena Kumari Meena Kumari Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

I tried all kinds of home remedies like methi and gond laddoos to keep my supply up, and that actually made me gain weight. Once I shifted to simple boiled chana, salads, and cumin water, the weight started dropping slowly while breastfeeding.

Saraswathi Amma Saraswathi Amma Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

In our days, we did not think about weight loss or gain so much. Breastfeeding naturally helps the body return to its normal shape slowly over a year. Give your body time, eat well, and do not rush the process.

Powered by

Consult a dietary specialist

Latha Kurian Latha Kurian Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

Lactation burns about 500 calories daily, which promotes weight loss. However, prolactin levels also rise, which can increase cravings and make some women hold onto weight. It is a mix of both, totally dependent on your individual metabolism.

Divyansh Saxena Divyansh Saxena Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

My bhabhi was literally just discussing this last week. She said she lost a lot of weight in the first few months, but then gained some back because she felt hungry all the time. Guess it varies person to person!

Shweta Shah Shweta Shah Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

It mostly depends on what you eat during this phase. If you eat wholesome vegetarian food like dal, green veggies, and oats, you will likely lose weight. But if you consume too many high-calorie sweets for lactation, you might see some gain.

Anil Wagle Anil Wagle Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

My wife had gestational diabetes, so we had to be very careful with her diet even during breastfeeding. Because she stuck to a low-glycemic, high-protein diet, she lost weight steadily. If you manage your sugar and food intake properly, it generally helps with weight loss.

Related reads

All articles
Shanti Swaroop Shanti Swaroop Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

In my experience helping many young mothers, it is a mix. The calorie burn is real, which helps with weight loss, but the increased appetite can lead to weight gain if you aren't careful. Focus on nutrient-rich food rather than worrying about the scale.

Rahul Verma Rahul Verma Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

Honestly, my wife lost so much weight while nursing that she looked thinner than before her pregnancy. But then her friend who also breastfed gained a few kilos because of continuous cravings. It really goes both ways.

Tanya Sen Tanya Sen Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

Yaar, don't stress too much about the weight right now! Breastfeeding can make you super hungry, so some weight gain is totally fine. Just enjoy your time with the baby, you can focus on getting back in shape later.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.