Impact of lactation on maternal body weight and body composition

Women worldwide generally lose weight and body fat during lactation. This l oss, although increased by longer, more intensive breastfeeding, is modest and may be reduced by increased food intake and decreased activity. Higher parity and older age are associated with greater weight loss postpartum amo ng poorly nourished women. Well-nourished women or those who breastfeed onl y for a limited time may not return to their prepregnant weight or body com position by the end of the lactation period. Those who are overweight or ob ese may have difficulty initiating or maintaining lactation. For the majori ty of women in the world, lactation is unlikely to represent a threat to th eir health. To advise women on how to optimize their health and lactational performance, one must consider ail of the changes in maternal nutritional status that occur during a reproductive cycle, which may or may not compens ate for the modest decreases in body weight associated with lactation.