Does exercise affect breastfeeding?

Hello, my name is Kristen Shelstad, and I am currently a junior in the 
nursing program at the University of North Dakota.  I had joined the 
listserv a few weeks ago so it is still fairly new to me.  I have a strong 
interest with the OB unit and am trying to learn more so I can assist the 
new mothers with answers to their questions.  

	Many mothers are eager to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight 
and are very willing to start an exercise regimen.  I found a few studies 
on the effects of exercising with breastfeeding.  A former study (Dewey et. 
al, 1994), found that aerobic exercise does not play a role with a 
decreased amount of milk supply.  Their study included women 6 to 8 weeks 
postpartum participating in an exercise program lasting 12 weeks.  The 
exercise program consisted of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise for 5 days per 
week.  The different types of exercise included biking, jogging and rapid 
walking.  The breast milk composition and the amount of milk did not differ 
from women who were exercising compared to the women who weren’t exercising.

	Another study was performed on the effects of exercise on 
immunologic factors in breast milk (Lovelady, Hunter, Geigerman, 2003).  
They defined moderate exercise as 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day 3 to 
5 days a week.  There was no difference between the concentrations of sIgA, 
lactoferrin, and lysozyme in the breast milk when comparing exercising 
women and non-exercising women.  This study has not only found that 
exercising women become more cardiovascular fit, but also that their breast 
milk contains the adequate components for nutrition.

	An additional study, Immune Status of Physically Active Women 
during Lactation, shows no relationship between exercising women who 
breastfeed and a decreased immune status (Lovelady et. al, 2004).  This 
study shows that women who carry out moderate exercise while breastfeeding 
have an immune status similar to women who don’t participate in exercise.  
Exercise again, confirmed that women become more physically fit and that 
exercising does not affect breastfeeding.

	My question to you is if in your experience, is the mother able to 
keep up with exercising while breastfeeding?

Thank you,
Kristen Shelstad, SN

Dewey, K.G., Lovelady C.A., Nommsen-Rivers L.A., McCrory M.A., Lonnerdal B.
(1994). A Randomized Study of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise by Lactating
Women on Breast-Milk Volume and Composition. The New England Journal of 
Medicine, 330(7), 449-453.

Lovelady C.A., Hunter C.P., Geigerman C. (2003). Effect of Exercise on 
Immunologic
Factors in Breast Milk. Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 111
(2). 148-152.

Lovelady C.A., Fuller C.J., Geigerman C., Hunter P., Kinsella T.C. (2004). 
Immune Status of
Physically Active Women during Lactation. Journal of the American College 
of Sports Medicine, 36(6). 1001-1007.

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