This is probably a weird question, but supposedly breastfeeding helps you lose weight, what about if you're expressing?? Does that help too or does it have to be the baby skin to skin contact to help you lose the weight?

I'm pretty sure expressing would help you lose weight too If you are lucky enough. It's about the baby taking all your food that you consume so expressing would have the same effect I'd think?

I think it would be the same for expressing from what I understand your body burns the energy producing the milk.

Not always the case for everyone though. I'm lucky it works for me smile

It doesn't work for everyone, but if it's going to work then it still will if expressing. As someone else said, it's the massive amount of energy that your body takes to produce the milk that encourages the weight loss. I'm very grateful that it worked for me after both my kids. I actually weight 10kgs less now than when I first got pregnant, and I owe it all to breastfeeding (probably why I'm still feeding my 17 month old now!!)

producing the milk (feeding or expressing) uses up calories/kjs so it can help lose weight. It is meant to help more after the first six months for some reason - maybe they drink more and quicker. But I have also read that often it doesn't help people lose weight as it also makes you more hungry so you tend to eat more.

You still loose it while expressing, in theory.

me, I just can't seem to loose much at all, despite exclusive BF'ing. Must be too busy replacing all those calories I'm burning lol wink

i breast fed my second daughter and expressed after she got teeth and bit me and i lost weight

it may work, although it dosen't work for some people. i formula fed my daughter and by 6 months was two dress sizes smaller than i was before pregnant, so i think it depends of the individual. i exercised while she was sleeping, so still possiable to lose weight without the breastfeeding. my friend breastfed for a whole year, and complained how she stacked on the weight, so it's really up to the individual

I also heard breastfeeding/expressing would make me lose weight.... it's been 3 months now and I am still waiting for this miraculous happening.....
insted I have put the weight on. I am always hungry for sweet things and craving coffee to keep me awake so I can get things done.
Putting the weight on is depressing. Some friends have told me their "weight loss" did not kick in until 3 months..... needless to say I am still crossing my fingers.

I also heard breastfeeding/expressing would make me lose weight.... it's been 3 months now and I am still waiting for this miraculous happening.....
insted I have put the weight on. I am always hungry for sweet things and craving coffee to keep me awake so I can get things done.
Putting the weight on is depressing. Some friends have told me their "weight loss" did not kick in until 3 months..... needless to say I am still crossing my fingers.

Don't lose hope! Everyone is different! My best friend puts weight on when breastfeeding, but it all drops off after she stops.

Thanks amm17 - you have given me hope!