They say "breast milk is best for babies," but did you know that it’s best for moms as well?

A study led by Dr. Kirsty Bobrow from the University of Oxford and reported by NBCNews.com reveals that breastfeeding can help women lose weight even years after kids have outgrown it. Bobrow monitored around 741,000 women from 1996 to 2001, collecting data on their weight, the number of children they had, and the duration of breastfeeding.

The results show that although women who have given birth may have higher Body Mass Indexes (BMI) in their 50s and 60s than those who didn’t, they continuously enjoy a BMI drop of at least 1% for every six months that they’ve nursed their children during their youth.

Professor Cheryl Lovelady of the University of North Carolina at Greensbro explains that the body needs a lot of energy to produce milk, and for every day that a woman breastfeeds, 500 calories are burned, making it possible to lose at least one pound a week. The BMI drop apparently lasts for years, although in smaller increments.

Breastfeeding may have a lot of weight-loss benefits, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll just let nature take its course. If you’re a nursing mother, it’s also important to help your body lose “baby weight” by exercising post-partum. Need more weight-loss advice? Head over to GirlTalk and share your thoughts with our community.

(Photo by Jerry Burke via Flickr Creative Commons)

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
CONTINUE READING BELOW
watch now
Get the latest updates from Female Network
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Trending on Network

Latest Stories

Netizens Unearthed Clues That David Licuaco's Mystery Ex-Girlfriend Is Sue Ramirez

David revealed in an interview that he cried over a breakup with a certain Kapamilya actress.

Jennica Garcia Almost Became an OFW So She Could Provide for Her Kids

She admits to reaching out to ABS-CBN amid her struggle to find acting projects in the Philippines.

Carlo Aquino Says Ex-Partner Trina Candaza Hasn’t Been Replying to His Messages About Wanting to See His Daughter

According to the actor, his ex-partner has allegedly not been following their co-parenting agreement.
Load More Stories