I had a mother call on this a couple of months ago, and this is what I
found....

"Crash diets, fad diets, and quick weight loss present problems for nursing
mothers.  Environmental contaminants  including PCBs and pesticides are
stored in body fat.  Losing weight rapidly-- more than about four pounds (2
kg) per month, or a pound (.45 kg) per week -- may release these
contaminants into the mother's bloodstream quickly and increase the levels
in her milk."


Breastfeeding Answer Book, p. 380

"...However, recent research shows that this may not be a significant
increase."

Womanly Art of BF...p. 226

"Exceptionally high protein/low-carbohydrate diets (sounds like Atkins to
me) are potentially harmful for breastfeeding mothers because of substances
released into the milk by the mother's altered metabolism.  Any kind of
drastic weight loss carries the risk of a drop in milk supply."

Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, p. 227

Lora Horn
LLL Leader in Pasadena, CA

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