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Intermittent Fasting While Nursing/Breast Feeding [Can You Do It?]

Writer's picture: Autumn Bates, CCN, MS, BS, CPTAutumn Bates, CCN, MS, BS, CPT

Updated: May 27, 2020


As a new mom, you may be looking to optimize your health and wellness while also decreasing bloating and increasing your energy levels through Intermittent Fasting - but there's also a ton of conflicting information out there! Is it safe? Will it reduce breast milk production? Should you be using it during this time?


Today, I'm breaking down all of the details behind Intermittent Fasting and whether or not you can use it while breastfeeding!


Intermittent fasting while nursing
Spanish Meatballs from The Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle!

But First... Here's What Happens With IF

With proper utilization of Intermittent Fasting, your GI tract is able to rest. This rest stimulates two main cleaning pathways: the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) and Autophagy. The MMC pathway sweeps out left behind food and bacteria in your GI Tract that can lead to bloating and bacterial overgrowth (or even SIBO). Autophagy is cleaning your body at the cellular level by getting rid of cellular waste and improving your energy producing mitochondria.


This combination is often why AENpeeps experience significant decreases in bloating and improved energy levels while utilizing the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle!


What To Look Out For

Intermittent Fasting is not inherently a diet. Many people use it for weight loss, but it isn't necessarily a form of calorie restriction. In fact, I don't recommend counting calories and I explain all the science-y deets of why HERE.


While breastfeeding, you will already be using a significant amount of energy in order to produce milk. Therefore, it's especially important to make sure that you are eating enough at this time. That's why I stress the importance of eating until satiated in The Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle.


Another factor to be aware of is hydration. In general, it's important that we stay hydrated, but even more so while breastfeeding. If you think about it, this makes sense. You're losing quite a lot of liquid while breastfeeding, so making sure that you replace that liquid is essential. Make sure to discuss with your doctor how much liquid you should be taking in per day in order to stay hydrated and make the milk your baby needs!


intermittent fasting and nursing
One of 100 recipes included in the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle!

How IF Can Benefit You

As I mentioned, Intermittent Fasting isn't inherently a "diet", rather a structure of eating. When you decrease snacking, eat until satiated and allow for that gut rest, it has been found to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and trigger cellular cleanup, aka autophagy. When Intermittent Fasting is used properly, it's an amazing wellness tool to keep your body strong and healthy.


Another amazing benefit of Intermittent Fasting is that many AENpeeps report back feeling ENERGIZED after implementing Intermittent Fasting and proper Nutrient Timing strategies from the Complete Intermittent Fasting Bundle. Energy is something that many new moms are lacking and could greatly benefit from a boost of!


Should You Do It?*

The main concern with breastfeeding and Intermittent Fasting is breast milk production. However, the few studies done on short term fasting and breastfeeding have not found a decrease in breast milk production. It's important to keep in mind that Intermittent Fasting is not an extended fast and it isn't a form of starvation. It's simply a short time of gut and cell rest in order to clean house when done properly.


It's always important to consult your OBGYN and Nutritionist before making any lifestyle changes so that they can have an input on whether or not Intermittent Fasting is a good fit for you and your goals.


If you do choose to use Intermittent Fasting, it's VERY important to make sure you use it properly! Learn the details of eating until satiated, how to pick your window, utilizing proper Nutrient Timing and more before you dive in. Head over HERE to get the science-y deets on how you can get started.


intermittent fasting while nursing

Your Nutritionist,

Autumn


intermittent fasting while nursing

Autumn Elle Nutrition


*Disclaimer: The author is not a doctor. The advice the author provides herein is based on years of practical application, experimenting with her own health and physique as well as the clinical needs of others. Any recommendations the author may make to you regarding diet, including supplements and herbal or nutritional treatments must be discussed between you and your doctor(s) to ensure protection for reader and author.

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2 Comments


julesmcounty
May 03, 2022

Hi, I notice there is no mention of how IF and autophagy can impact the baby - if I’m causing my body to clean itself, or detox, do those toxins end up in my milk?

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Replying to

Hi there! Unfortunately there aren't studies to show how Intermittent Fasting impacts breastfeeding at this level, so it would be impossible to say for sure.

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This content (on www.autumnellenutrition.com and in marketing emails from Autumn Elle Nutrition) is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors, nutritionists and/or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Autumn Elle Nutrition nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

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