I did a lot of research when I was pregnant. My husband used to joke that I was taking a degree in pregnancy. One of the things that was constantly repeated was how breast feeding helps mothers lose weight. I was planning to breastfeed so I was happy that I had nature's given tool to help me get back into shape.
I welcomed my little angel into the world, and yes, begun breast feeding after not so few hiccups (not the forum to discuss cracked nipples, latching problems, supply issues, sleepless nights....) but the weight did not fall off. In fact, after the initial first two weeks weight loss, it seemed that my hips and everything else seemed to be getting bigger, how is this possible? My little one is deriving nutrition from my body, taking away from what stores I had accumulated when I was carrying her for this very purpose.
The problem was, I was breast feeding Kenyan style.
Soon after giving birth, Kenyan mothers are drowned in food. Porridge is the food of choice, I drank it so much in the first two weeks, that it was pouring out of my ears. It is supposed to increase food supply. They are told that they have to gain weight in order to 'take care of the little one'.
It is all well intended but such practices do more harm than good. The extra calories required to make milk are much fewer than the mountain loads of food lactating mothers consume. Fluids are what makes a major difference in supply. This is from experience. That and a lack of stress, and being rested.
If I have another child, I fully intend to breastfeed. However, I will not bow to pressure to drown myself in food for this purpose. I know better.
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