Breast Pumping and Weight Loss: Everything You Need to Know

I’m sure you’re curious about whether breast pumping can help you lose weight. There’s lots misinformation out there, so it can be hard to know what is true and what isn’t.

A couple weeks after giving birth, I remember thinking “Lord, will I ever lose this extra weight?” and then promptly ate a slice of pie to make myself feel better. Counter intuitive maybe, but it did help at the time.

The truth is, women will add an average of 4kg (9 pounds) during pregnancy, but to get back down to their pre-pregnancy weight within 2 months they need a 500-600 calorie deficit each day. Exclusive breastfeeding uses about 595 calories every day when you start out, which means you should be able to shed about half a kilogram each week and get back to pre-pregnancy weight within around 2 months or so.

So in theory for every week that goes by while doing breastfeeding or pumping exclusively on breast milk alone–you could potentially lose half a kilogram or over 20% percent faster than if you didn’t.

But do you get the same weight loss benefit from breast pumping too?

In this post, I’ll explore the topic of breast pumping and weight loss in depth. We will answer common questions such as “How much weight can you lose pumping breast milk?”, “Do you lose more weight breastfeeding or pumping?”, and “How many calories do you burn pumping breast milk for 20 minutes?”

I’ll also talk about whether pumping might make you gain weight, why some women find it difficult to lose weight while breastfeeding, and whether pumping is as effective as breastfeeding for weight loss.

So let’s dive into the nitty-gritty 🙂

Does breast pumping help you lose weight?

Yes, pumping more can help you lose weight. The reason is that when you breastfeed or pump, your body uses energy to produce milk. This means you can burn around 500-700 calories a day by breastfeeding or pumping. If you pump more frequently and/or for an extended period of time, you can increase the number of calories you burn each day.

Some women find that they lose weight more easily when they pump breast milk, while others do not see any difference in their weight loss journey.

Generally speaking, if you are breastfeeding and eating a healthy diet, you will likely lose weight at a healthy rate. However, if you are looking to specifically lose weight by pumping, you may need to pump for longer than 20 minutes and over an extended period in order to see results.

Why do you lose weight breast pumping?

There are a few different reasons why you might lose weight while breast pumping.

One reason is that when you’re breastfeeding or pumping, you’re using more calories than when you’re not, since producing milk takes energy. When you breastfeed or pump, your body uses energy to produce milk.

This means you can burn around 500-700 calories a day by breastfeeding or pumping. In addition, nursing helps shrink your uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size. So not only do you lose weight when you breastfeed, but you also return to your pre-pregnancy shape and size more quickly.

Another reason is that the sucking motion of the pump can actually help to empty your breasts, which reduces the amount of milk stored in them.

Finally, if you’re pumping frequently and/or for an extended period of time, you may lose weight from dehydration.

Is breast pumping as effective as breastfeeding for weight loss?

Yes, breast pumping is as effective as breastfeeding for weight loss.

When you breastfeed or use a breast pump, your body uses energy to produce milk. This means you can burn around 500-700 calories a day by breastfeeding or pumping if you are exclusively nursing and not supplementing with formula or any other food sources.

If you’re looking to specifically lose weight by pumping, you’ll need to pump for longer than 20 minutes and over an extended period of time in order to see results.

Why do I lose weight when breastfeeding but not when pumping?

There are a few possible reasons why you may lose weight when breastfeeding but not when pumping.

One reason is that when you’re breastfeeding, your baby is constantly sucking on your breast, which helps to empty them. When you pump, the suction of the pump isn’t as strong as a baby’s mouth, so it can be harder to completely empty your breasts.

Another reason is that when you’re breastfeeding, your baby is constantly sucking on your breast, which helps to empty them. When you pump, the suction of the pump isn’t as strong as a baby’s mouth, so it can be harder to completely empty your breasts.

Your body is also releasing a hormone called leptin, which helps to suppress your appetite. Pumping doesn’t release this hormone, so you may find it harder to resist snacking or overeating.

Finally, when you breastfeed, your body releases a hormone called prolactin, which stimulates the production of milk. Pumping doesn’t release this hormone, so you may find it harder to keep producing milk.

How much weight can you lose pumping breast milk?

Generally speaking, if you are breastfeeding and eating a healthy diet, you will likely lose weight at a healthy rate. However, if you are looking to specifically lose weight by pumping breast milk, you may need to pump for longer than 20 minutes and over an extended period in order to see results.

Does pumping burn calories like breastfeeding?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a woman burns approximately 69 calories when she pumps breast milk for 20 minutes. This number will vary depending on your weight and how vigorously you are pumping.

Which is better for weight loss, breastfeeding or pumping?

It is important to note that pumping does not have the same calorie-burning benefits as breastfeeding. Breastfeeding moms burn about 300 to 500 calories a day, which is the equivalent of a moderate 30-minute workout.

It’s estimated that a woman burns around 20 calories per pound of body weight each day, so if you weigh 150 pounds then you would burn approximately 300 calories per day. This is just an estimate, however, and the number of calories burned will vary depending on how much effort you put into pumping, how often you pump, etc.

So it depends on how often and long you are able to pump. If you are only able to breast pump for 15-20 minutes at a time, then there may not be much difference between the two methods. However, if you are able to pump for an extended period of time, breast pumping is likely to result in more weight loss.

How many calories do you burn pumping breast milk for 20 minutes

It’s difficult to give an accurate estimate of the number of calories burned because it depends on factors such as weight, intensity of pumping, and age. However, a general estimate would be around 25-50 calories.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a woman burns approximately 69 calories when she pumps breast milk for 20 minutes. This number will vary depending on your weight and how vigorously you are pumping.

Pumping can be a great way to burn extra calories and lose weight, but it’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough fluids so that you don’t become dehydrated. Also, be sure to eat enough healthy foods so that you have the energy necessary for pumping. breastfeeding is hard work and your body needs good nutrition in order to produce plenty of milk.

Does pumping make you gain weight?

Some women find that they gain weight when they pump breast milk, while others do not see a change in their body weight or even lose weight.

This is because your body needs calories to produce the milk you are pumping, and if it doesn’t have enough calories from food then it will take them from your stored fat.

So, if you are trying to lose weight while breastfeeding, it is important that you eat a healthy diet and monitor your calorie intake.

In general, it takes about 500-600 extra calories per day to produce breast milk. So if you’re trying to lose weight while breastfeeding, it’s important to make sure you’re not eating too few calories. In fact, most experts recommend that breastfeeding women should eat an extra 500-700 calories per day.

Does your body store fat while breastfeeding

Yes. It’s normal and necessary for women to store fat while breastfeeding.

When you’re pregnant, your body produces a hormone called relaxin that causes your ligaments to loosen up so that the baby can come out more easily. Relaxin also causes your body to store more fat in case you need it during lactation.

This is why most women gain weight during pregnancy—not all of it is baby fat!

The good news is that most of this extra weight will come off after you stop breastfeeding, along with following a good eating habit and getting some exercise, but it may take a while.

Just be patient and stick with a healthy diet and exercise routine, and you’ll eventually see the pounds melt away.

Why can’t I lose weight while breastfeeding

There are a few reasons why some women find it difficult to lose weight while breastfeeding. One reason may be that the body stores fat while breastfeeding in order to provide energy for milk production.

It’s actually more difficult to lose weight while breastfeeding and breast pumping because the body is trying to conserve energy to make milk.

One reason is that you’re still taking in calories from your food and drink, and your body is using those calories to produce milk.

A woman’s body burns around 500 extra calories per day while breastfeeding. This is in addition to the 300 calories she needs to maintain her weight. So even if a woman eats 1,800 calories per day, she will still gain weight while breastfeeding.

The best way to lose weight while breastfeeding is to gradually decrease the number of calories you eat and increase the amount of exercise you do. It may take a little longer, but it’s still possible to lose weight safely while breastfeeding.

And finally, some women lose weight more slowly after they give birth than they did before they became pregnant. Research also shows that obesity can also be a factor in weight-loss after pregnancy and while breastfeeding or breast pumping.

If you’re having trouble losing weight, it’s important to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you figure out why you’re not losing weight and suggest ways to help you meet your goals.

Conclusion – Does breast pumping help you lose weight

There is a lot of misinformation out there about breastfeeding, breast pumping and weight loss/gain. The truth is, breastfeeding and pumping does help women lose weight, but it’s not a miracle cure. It takes time and effort to lose the baby weight, but breastfeeding can definitely help.

Every woman’s body is different, so it’s hard to say exactly how much weight you’ll lose while breastfeeding. But in general, most women burn about 500-700 calories per day while nursing and similar while breast pumping.

So as long as you’re eating healthy and exercising regularly, you should be able to lose the baby weight without too much trouble.

Good luck!

Trusted Sources and References

[Womenshealth.gov] https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding

[Mayoclinic Organisation] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/breastfeeding-and-weight-loss/faq-20094993

 [US National Library of Medicine] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4312189/

[Medlineplus – National Library of Medicine) https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000603.htm