How Can New Moms Increase Their Metabolism?

Breastfeeding your little one is the perfect bonding time between a new mom and her child. Though from an outer appearance, it may look easy, breastfeeding requires a great deal of effort and energy.

We know that all you want is to take care of your child and your family, but first, you need to take care of yourself and face all the challenges that life had thrown on you when you started your journey into motherhood. In this post, we'll share one of the best tips for new moms who want to increase their metabolism for weight loss while nursing their babies.

If you want to lose weight and stay healthy while breastfeeding, then boosting your metabolism is one of the methods that can help you feel energetic and active for a longer time. A good metabolism means more energy to perform different exercises and daily chores at home. Your metabolism can also help you understand how quickly you might get in shape after delivery.  

Are Breastfeeding and Metabolism Linked?

What is metabolism? In layman's terms, metabolism is a chemical reaction that happens in your body after you eat food. Your metabolism (or metabolic rate) determines how quickly your body consumes calories. The higher your metabolism rate, the more calories you consume, and the more successful your weight loss journey is.

During breastfeeding, your metabolism rate increases and your body's energy consumption increases by 15% to 25%. It is because you need more energy to create a steady flow of breast milk for your baby. Fat gained during pregnancy and the fats that you get from foods are used by your body to produce breast milk and helps you stay fit and active. The calories you consume are passed on to your child through your milk. 

About 12 to 15 pounds of weight loss happens immediately after delivery. This weight comprises the placenta, your baby, and amniotic liquid. After that, you lose weight at a slow rate, and it can take up to 6 months or a year to lose your pregnancy weight because your baby needs sustenance from you, which is why you need to eat healthily and worry less about losing weight. However, you can start with a moderate workout to keep building your metabolism. 

Can You Increase Metabolism While Breastfeeding?

Some of the ways that can help you increase your metabolism and weight loss while breastfeeding:

1. Moderate Workout To Stay Active

Exercise is a great metabolism promoter that can help you get more fit, keep you active, and promote mental health.  

A few women think it's difficult to begin working out after delivery, which is reasonable, mainly if you didn't work out during pregnancy. Assuming that is the case, you can start with a 15 to 20-minute walk. Put your child in a carriage, wear sports shoes, and begin strolling. Fresh air will do good not only for your mental health but also for your baby's development. 

2. Adapt Good Eating Habits

Following a reasonable eating regimen is vital for promoting steady breast milk creation. Your little one will nurture, meaning you need to create sufficient milk to meet their developing requirements. To make sure you're producing enough milk for your baby, you need to consume more calories. Eating protein-rich foods is one of the ways you can ensure that you can get enough nutrients, boost your metabolism, and achieve your weight loss goals. 

3. Drink Plenty of Water

It is advised to drink 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. Drinking water has many advantages, so it doesn't make any difference if you are either losing some weight or not. It would be best if you made it a point to drink enough water regularly. Drinking sufficient water promotes various chemical reactions in your body, which help in boosting metabolism and decreasing body weight.

Make a timetable to drink water at a particular time, like 2 glasses toward the beginning of the day and one glass before each meal. Keep a water bottle with you constantly, or you can add a reminder on your phone to remind you that you need to drink water.

4. Rest a Lot More

We know that being a new mom is a big responsibility, and you need to be with your little one all the time. However, do not forget that you too are made from flesh, bone and blood, and you too need to take care of yourself. Your well-being is as important as the well-being of your baby. Various studies have shown that well-rested new moms can breastfeed their babies more efficiently and have enough energy to play and connect with their babies over time.  

Sleeping for less than 6 hours daily can cause a metabolic condition to go into haywire, leading to weight gain, hypertension, high sugar level, and more. So ensure you rest 6 to 10 hours every day.  

5. Be Kind Towards Yourself

If you are trying to boost your metabolism to get more fit, you need to recall that not all lactating moms lose weight the same way. If someone you know has lost their pregnancy weight in less than a half year, that doesn't imply that you need to lose weight in the same time duration. You need to understand your body, its needs and how you can support it while breastfeeding. So, be kind to yourself and know that the weight loss journey can be successful only if you are patient and kind with yourself. 

A Final Word From Us

Losing weight or boosting your metabolism is not an easy task. Patience, time and support are the only three things that can help you achieve your goal. So seek out help because, on this journey, you are not alone. We hope that this article will help you overcome all your doubts and make the best decision for yourself and your baby.