For me it depended on how good an eater the baby was. My daughter wasn’t a great nurser and I didn’t lose any weight nursing her. My son, on the other hand, lived to eat, and I could hardly keep weight on when I was exclusively breastfeeding.

i agree with Nelly i breastfed my daughter for a year. When i stopped i was suprised at how much my appetite decreased and it was only then that i lost the last few pounds of my pregnancy weight. More importantly if you choose to breastfeed i think it should not be because you think it will help you lose weight.

I gave birth six weeks ago, and I breastfeed my son. I gained 53 pounds with my pregnancy, and I only have 16 to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

It HAS to be breastfeeding that is doing it for me, because I eat like a horse, and I am not working out or anything of that sort.

Pregnancy changed my body forever. I thought I could eat whatever while pregnant and that breastfeeding would melt the pounds off. WRONG!! I think it really depends on your metabolism and body type.

I think it depends on everything! After my first, who I breastfed for 11 months, I had 10 lbs I could not shed. With my daughter, who is now almost 6 months and breastfed, I actually weigh about 5 pounds less than I did before I got pregnant with the first. In fact, I hope that stopping breastfeeding will help me get a bit back as I am looking a little skeletal. I am not exercising and I eat like a pig but the pounds seem to disappear – of course, she is a pretty big girl.

I agree with Nelly as well. I breast fed both of my kids for a few months but I didn’t lose the last 10-15 lbs. until I stopped. I definitely felt more tired while breast feeding…it takes a lot out of you!

I gained the same amount during both my pregnancies. And I have been breastfeeding for 3 years straight/total!
Currently, at 11 months post partum with my second, I am 3 pounds under my pre (2nd) pregnancy weight.
I am STILL 20 pounds over my pre (1st) pregnancy weight!
So who knows?!

Before having my 3rd child I’d of agreed with Nelly but for some reason this time round I’ve lost weight really quickly! So I guess it just depends on the baby and each breastfeeding experience is different, you are different..so who knows what will happen!
I just hope women don’t base their decision to feed on things like possible weight loss difficulties. That’s a insignificant concern when compared to the health benefits of breastfeeding.

Each person has a unique experience. Breastfeeding does help some women loose weight because it burns additional calories. However I have noticed that very petitie women like Nelly may not see the same weight loss because their body is trying to protect them from burning too much. One way to combat this is to eat more healthy foods and healthy fats and it will up your metabolism as well as help with energy.

As each mother is unique so is each mothering experience.

I never bottle fed so I don’t have anything to compare it to. With my first, I would have said that it helped speed up the weight loss. But with my second, I definately have not lost the weight as fast, so not sure.