Tips to Help you Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

9 Months in vs. 9 Months out

These photos represent 18 months of hard work; 9 months of pregnancy and 9 months of postpartum bliss. I loved having my sweet boy on the inside. Pregnancy is such a magical journey but having my little babe earth side and playing on the beach with him today was oh so lovely.

I'm almost back to pre-pregnancy weight and since so many of you asked how I dropped the weight while breastfeeding, I'm sharing a some tips below. 

Exercise safely 
Once your doctor has cleared you to exercise, gradually ease back into it. My favorite is yoga. Also, long walks with the baby. I try to nurse before I leave the house to avoid engorgement. 

Stay hydrated
I have made it a goal to fill my 24 ounce bottle four times a day, totaling 96 ounces of water consumption a day. This is so essential for weight loss but also really helps produce more milk. Producing milk burns calories too so its a win win. 

Eat less carbs
I aim to eat more fruits, veggies and proteins instead. This is a hard one because I crave carbs when nursing but I try to limit them as much as possible. I never deprive myself of them but if I'm really craving then I try to eat them earlier in the day so that I can burn them off more quickly. I just focus on eating a healthy diet without restricting too many calories since I'm breastfeeding.

Rest when you can 
This is also a hard one for me but I try to go to bed as early as possible. Rest helps your body recover and can help with weight loss. 

Don't skip meals
Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism and cause your energy to drop. It also decreases your milk supply. On super busy days, I'll eat smaller meals/snacks throughout the day instead of an actual meal because let's face it, sitting down with a baby and toddler is just impossible most days. I always make it a goal to sit down with my husband for dinner though. 

Don't compare 
It took nine months to gain the weight during pregnancy, so be kind to yourself.  Some women find it takes six to nine months to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight. For others, it can take one to two years.