Should I Exercise While Breastfeeding?

04 Nov Should I Exercise While Breastfeeding?

Some new moms are transitioning to a life that includes breastfeeding and have plenty of questions about the best way to take on this new role. Breastfeeding is a significant part of motherhood and essential and beneficial to your new baby. However, for moms who are completely new to breastfeeding, they may have some questions about what they can, and cannot, do in order to keep themselves and their babies healthy.

Taking care of your body while breastfeeding is so important and it can help make sure that you are naturally able to produce a healthy milk supply for your little one. While different moms have different questions about this process, one of the biggest questions new moms have is: should I exercise while breastfeeding?

The simple answer is “yes.”

Once your doctor has cleared you to exercise after giving birth, you can and should start exercising. Despite a few rumors out there, exercise will not negatively impact your milk production. You need to make sure that you stay hydrated while you work out, as proper hydration is essential for breastfeeding.

Working out is actually something that can help moms during breastfeeding and can come with the following benefits:

• Increased energy. New moms know that being a brand new parent can be exhausting. Exercise will help give you that boost of energy that you need to power through those rough mornings.
• Better mood. Many new moms struggle with postpartum depression, mood swings and other issues with their hormones. Exercise is proven to help boost endorphins and help put you in a better mood.
• Weight loss. If you are one of the many new moms who struggle with feeling like herself after baby, then exercise is a great way to help get you back to feeling like you. A happy and confident mom is going to be a better mom. Breastfeeding already burns between 300-400 calories a day, and adding exercise will only make your weight loss efforts more powerful.

Exercise is such an important part of a healthy balanced life, especially for breastfeeding moms. Just make sure you have been approved by your doctor and you are ready to get out there and start exercising and getting your healthiest.

If you have more questions about how to stay your healthiest while breastfeeding, then contact our team here at Continuum Pediatrics. We are here to make sure our patients have all of the information that they need about breastfeeding. We know that breastfeeding can be difficult, and we are here to answer your questions and help you through the process the best that we can.