Weight loss and hair loss with breast-feeding

Well, I hate to say this but it depends. Research demonstrates that by six weeks post-partum, 28% of all women will have returned to their pre-pregnant weight. The remainder of the loss occurs from six weeks to six months post-partum. Women who gain on average over 35 pounds during the pregnancy tend to retain about ten to 11 pounds.

Informally, I have seen women who return to me year after year who seem to retain about ten pounds for each of the babies they've delivered. Breast-feeding seems to have little bearing on post-partum weight loss for some women and yet for others the weight seems to fall off. Again, according to published studies, breast-feeding women tend to eat more due to increased appetite; it takes about 600 additional calories per day to lactate successfully. With this intake, most women are able to gradually reduce to their pre-pregnant weight within six months.

For some women hair loss may be expected to occur during the first two to four months post-partum. Studies show that all the hair lost should regrow within six to 12 months.

Peg