If a breastfeeding mother is interested in a diet plan that emphasizes lowering
carbohydrates, there are others out there that aren't as restrictive as the
Atkins plan. There's The Zone, Protein Power, SugarBusters, and several
hybrids.  The weight loss on other such plans is not usually as dramatic, and to
me that is -- or should be-- the key concern for weight loss while
breastfeeding. There are plenty of references from the research on the risks of
losing weight too quickly while breastfeeding.

As one who has personal interest in the lower-carb theory of weight loss, I do
have one suggestion for anyone who's working with a mom interested in one of
these diets. People who try (or think about trying) these methods get lots of
objections from all sides-- they hear that the "only way" to lose weight is to
cut calories and fat and exercise more, and so on. The mother may not "hear" us
if we give her more of that. If we state concern about ANY plan that results in
rapid weight loss (meaning more than four pounds a month for a breastfeeding
mother) and encourage the mother to consider a modified version, developed with
help from a nutritionist or other knowledgeable person, it might have more
impact.

My personal belief is that the problems a mother might encounter would be due to
the rapid weight loss, and not necessarily to HOW she was losing it. Optifast,
Atkins, water and bluegreen algae, severe illness-- anything that takes 20
pounds in 2 weeks is bound to have an effect on a nursing baby.

Joanne Hamilton, keeping it at 40g of carbs a day in Foley, AL :-)

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