Your body goes through a huge amount of changes over the 40 weeks of pregnancy. Many of these changes are hormonal. These hormonal ups and downs change again with delivery, then again with breastfeeding and lastly with weaning.
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and helps make breast milk. Prolactin levels increase by about 10-20 times during pregnancy and the levels will stay elevated if breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, your levels will return to normal shortly after birth. If you continue to breastfeed, your levels will either stay elevated or for some women slowly return to normal after months of continued breastfeeding but all women will experience a decrease in levels after weaning.
Many women who are breastfeeding will often lose weight at a faster rate than women who are not breastfeeding (but again, as I mentioned in my last blog some women did not notice a huge difference with weight loss and breastfeeding.) However, many women will also notice how they suddenly plateau after losing this initial amount of weight. This is often due to the Prolactin levels. Prolactin levels affects the body’s ability to metabolize fat. So though you might be burning major calories while breastfeeding many women find that they hold onto to those last stubborn 5 or 10lbs. while breastfeeding. When you wean, these levels will fall and many women find they lose the last few pounds shortly after stopping breastfeeding. So if you are frustrated with trying to lose the last few pounds, realize that those extra few pounds are due to prolactin which help keeps your milk supply up and that many women notice that last little bit of weight loss after weaning.
However, many women adapt their calorie intake to breastfeeding, meaning they are used to eating an extra few hundred and up to 450 calories each day. When you stop breastfeeding, you will need to slowly decrease your calorie intake as well. If your body is used to eating extra calories during pregnancy and breastfeeding, this might be a slight adjustment for many. Slowly decrease your calories to where you are still feeling satisfied and not overly hungry.
If you are not breastfeeding I still think it is hard to lose the last few pounds. I personally believe that women can hold onto baby weight due to the fact that caring for a newborn is not very conducive to weight loss. You are most likely not sleeping more than stretches of 3-5 hours a night, you’re eating schedule is off, you are probably not working out as much as normal and you are utterly exhausted. Sleep plays such a crucial role in fat loss that I think it is difficult for many women to lose the last of the pregnancy pounds until their sleep cycle has ‘somewhat’ regulated again. Lack of sleep often increases hunger and cravings. When the body is tired, it craves energy. Food gives us energy. Some studies also shows that lack of sleep also makes the brain more sensitive to the flavors and richness of food. Basically, food tastes better when we are tired.
Though I am sure every woman wants to be back to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner than later (I was guilty of this too!) realize that weight loss should not be your number one priority, caring for that beautiful newborn should be your priority. Yes, losing the baby weight can definitely be a goal as exercise and eating healthy has benefits beyond weight loss but remember to be kind to yourself as this is such a special time that goes by way too fast!
If you have any specific questions about losing the baby weight or weight and fat loss in general, please feel free to comment below or contact me at info@healthybabyfitmom. I would love to hear from you.
