Developing Interventions

Weight Goals

The rate of weight loss in the postpartum period is highly variable. Healthy women who are breastfeeding can safely lose up to 1 pound per month and maintain an adequate milk supply. Slow weight loss of no more than 5 pounds per month supports more permanent weight loss and adequate energy intake and nutrition status. Breastfeeding mothers should be advised to wait until breastfeeding has been establilshed for about 2 months before actively trying to lose weight. (Cox and Carney, 2017) The energy intake to achieve this can be estimated, with considerations for the woman’s height and activity level, and whether or not she is breastfeeding. (See previous section.)

A Cochrane review concluded that both diet and exercise together and diet alone help women to lose weight in the postpartum period. The beneficial effects of exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and preservation of fat-free mass were noted.  (Adegboye ARA, 2007)

It is the role of the health care team to work with the woman to identify a reasonable body weight goal and develop a plan for achieving that goal.