My name is Candi Smith and I am a student at the University of North Dakota
in the College of Nursing. I am the mother of two boys whom I breast fed
exclusively for 14 months. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
Dietetics and I am an advocate for breast-feeding. I also work in the NICU
with many breast-feeding moms. I do have an issue with some articles and
studies I have seen about the benefits of breast-feeding. One of which is
the common statement that breast-feeding mothers lose their pregnancy
weight sooner than non breast-feeding mothers. There is conflicting
information about this loss of weight. Some would argue that breast-
feeding aids in this weight loss, while others state that there is no
conclusive evidence of such weight loss.
One such study of 236 women attending two public health clinics indicated
that there were not significant weight losses found among women who breast-
fed versus women who bottle-fed. What they did find is that weight loss in
the first 3 months after pregnancy is similar between lactating and non-
lactating women. The study concluded that postpartum weight loss is more
affected by the amount of weight gained during pregnancy, whether mom
smoked, and where she was born. American and Canadian women tend to lose
weight slower than those elsewhere. (Haiek, L. N., Kramer, M. S., Ciampi
A., & Tirado, R. 2001).
In another study I read, the results were conflicting as well. The
journals had some great documentation on how fat is deposited differently
in lactating and non-lactating women. The study also stated that lactating
women lost more potassium and water in the first three months than bottle-
feeding moms. It also indicates that women who breastfed had a greater
change in fat mass than non breast-feeding moms between three to six
months. (Butte, N. F., & Hopkinson, JM. 1998). I find this really
interesting because most women who go back to work often stop breastfeeding
at three months.
Reading over the roles and responsibilities of the American Dietetic
Association it states that “all health care professionals are to promote
and support breast feeding by providing accurate and appropriate
information.” (Dobson, B., & Murtaugh, MA. 2001). Under Maternal Health
Benefits it states that maternal weight and fat loss is a benefit of breast
feeding. This can lead to an expectation of accelerated weight loss. I
feel we are misleading our moms when we state that breastfeeding will help
them get back to their pre-pregnancy weight faster. Once the mother
doesn’t see an accelerated weight loss, she may become discouraged, and
ultimately give up on breast-feeding.
I’m interested in hearing what other professionals are finding working with
other breast-feeding moms. What are you telling your patients and what has
been your experience with their weight loss?
Candi Smith
University of North Dakota
College of Nursing
References
Haiek, L. N., Kramer, M. S., Ciampi A., & Tirado, R. (2001). Postpartum
Weight Loss
and Infant Feeding. Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 14
(2), pp.
85-94.
Butte, N. F., & Hopkinson, JM. (1998). Body Composition Changes during
Lactation
Are Highly Variable among Women. The Journal of Nutrition, 128, pp. 381S-
385S.
Dobson, B., & Murtaugh, MA. (2001). Position of the American Dietetics
Association:
Breaking the barriers to breast feeding. Journal of the American Dietetic
Association, 101, pp. 1213-1220.
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