When I was pregnant, I often heard people say that breastfeeding would help me lose the baby weight. It sounded almost guaranteed. “The weight will fall off,” they said. My mum was in a bikini after a couple of months, but for me the weight has stayed on my belly. In fact, I still look 20 weeks pregnant.
For me, that simply wasn’t true.
Forty months later, I’m still breastfeeding, and despite making a determined effort to lose weight, the scales have barely moved. I even followed a strict ketogenic diet for ten weeks, cutting carbohydrates significantly and sticking to the plan carefully, yet I didn’t lose any weight at all.
This article isn’t intended to give medical advice. Instead, I want to raise awareness that not everyone experiences weight loss while breastfeeding, and if you’re struggling too, you’re certainly not alone.
The Myth That Breastfeeding Always Causes Weight Loss
Breastfeeding does use energy. Producing breast milk requires calories, which is why many people assume the weight will naturally disappear.
While that certainly happens for some mothers, many others experience the complete opposite.
Some women notice that:
- Their appetite increases significantly.
- They retain weight despite eating healthily.
- Their weight remains stable for months or even years.
- They only begin losing weight after they stop breastfeeding.
There is no single experience that applies to everyone.
Why Weight Loss Can Be So Difficult
Many factors influence body weight during breastfeeding.
Hormones may play an important role. During breastfeeding, prolactin levels remain elevated to support milk production. Researchers continue to study how this and other hormonal changes affect metabolism, fat storage and appetite.
Sleep is another important factor. Caring for a young child often means interrupted nights and exhaustion, both of which can make weight management more challenging.
Stress also plays a role. Looking after children while managing everyday life can make it much harder to prioritise exercise, meal planning and recovery.
Every woman’s body responds differently after pregnancy.
My Personal Experience
Like many mothers, I assumed breastfeeding would naturally help me lose weight.
Instead, I’ve found the opposite.
After forty months of breastfeeding, I decided to make a serious effort by following a strict ketogenic diet. For ten weeks, I was committed to eating very low-carbohydrate meals and staying consistent.
I expected at least some progress.
Instead, I saw virtually no change on the scales.
It was incredibly frustrating and left me wondering why my body wasn’t responding.
If You’re Experiencing the Same Thing
If you’re breastfeeding and struggling to lose weight, please don’t assume you’ve failed.
Social media often highlights dramatic weight-loss stories after pregnancy, but those stories don’t represent everyone.
Your body has been through pregnancy, childbirth and months—or even years—of producing milk. It may simply respond differently than someone else’s.
Comparing yourself with other mothers rarely helps.
Should You Diet While Breastfeeding?
If you’re considering losing weight while breastfeeding, it’s sensible to choose an approach that supports both your health and your baby’s nutritional needs.
Crash diets or extremely restrictive eating plans may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly while breastfeeding. If you’re planning significant dietary changes or have concerns about your weight, it’s worth discussing them with your GP or another qualified healthcare professional, who can give advice based on your individual circumstances.
Be Kind to Yourself
For a long time, I believed I was doing something wrong because the weight refused to shift.
I’ve now realised that many breastfeeding mothers share the same experience, even though we rarely hear about it.
That’s why I wanted to write this article.
If you’re breastfeeding and finding it difficult to lose weight, please know that you are not alone. Weight loss during breastfeeding is not guaranteed, and every woman’s body follows its own path.
Sometimes the greatest act of self-care is recognising that your body has achieved something extraordinary, even if the scales aren’t showing the result you hoped for.