Should I Breastfeed While Taking GLP-1s?
By Ali Weatherford
The class of medications known as GLP-1 drugs are a newer medical weight loss option that are gaining popularity at a very fast pace. They are injectable medications that work to help people lose weight in a couple of different ways. They can suppress appetite and improve metabolism. And they can also enhance insulin secretion to help with glycemic control, or the healthy regulation of blood sugars. It’s pretty clear that there are some benefits to using these medications, but what’s less clear is whether they are safe to use while breastfeeding.
Weight Control during Breastfeeding
In general, we don’t like to recommend that people go on weight loss programs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, but we understand that sometimes it can be a health issue that needs to be addressed urgently. For the purposes of this article, I’m assuming that general health is good and gradual weight loss or a delay in weight loss is acceptable and healthy.
But you should seek advice from your medical care provider if you’re unsure. This article is not intending to provide medical advice for any individual.
In general, people have an increased need for calories during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Restricting calories is not usually necessary, and can even be harmful. It’s really important to eat well and stay hydrated to build and maintain a great milk supply and feel your best. A lot of people find that it’s easier to lose or maintain weight while breastfeeding. An extra 250-500 calories a day are needed to support breastfeeding. So, as long as you don’t start adding more than that, you may not gain weight and could actually lose weight if you’re on the lower side of that extra calorie intake.
How Many Calories Do YOU Need?
The Infant Risk Center has this tool to help you calculate what your calorie needs might be while you’re breastfeeding! I’ve included an example of the tool at work in the image below. What I love most about that image is at the very bottom. It reads “We encourage you to embrace self-compassion during the postpartum period and prioritize the health of both you and your baby. Your body has accomplished a wonderful miracle and merits nurturing and respect.”
What Can Restricting Calories Feel Like?
Besides the fact that your body needs some extra calories to support breastfeeding, for a lot of people, it also just doesn’t feel good to restrict calories. You might struggle with decreased energy. Having a newborn baby and recovering from birth is already tiring enough, but you also need more energy during this time so you can keep up with a new baby’s needs. You could have a hard time keeping up with your normal daily routines, and struggle to heal physically.
You might also be at more risk for having a low mood. You’ll already be managing the normal emotional ups and downs that come with being postpartum, so adding to that can lead to more struggles with mental health. Giving birth is a big physical event to recover from. Becoming a parent is a huge life transition. And breastfeeding can be a physically and emotionally demanding responsibility. While you are dealing with all of that might not be the best time to start a weight loss program.
How Do GLP-1 Drugs Interfere with Breastfeeding?
Oral weight loss medications like Ozempic have been shown to have negative effects on breastfeeding babies by suppressing their appetites. Newborns need to be hungry often so they can grow the way they need to and so you can have a great milk supply, so those are not recommended while you’re breastfeeding. But with injectable GLP-1s, there is newer evidence to show that a couple of the drugs used might not be too much of a problem directly. The drug does get into your milk supply, but in this case, the research seems to show that, at least a couple of them, do not enter your milk supply in high enough concentrations to cause problems.
The way these drugs might interfere is in a more indirect way. Because these medications reduce appetite, it can become harder to get the calories you need. Yes, you might lose weight quickly, but at what expense? If you’re feeling tired, sad, or depressed because of it, quick weight loss might not be worth it. The postpartum period is a high needs time, and a time for major physical healing and recovery. You’re taking care of your body, your baby, and at the same time producing an entire food supply for your little person. It’s so important to get the calories and nutrients you need to support all of this. You deserve to feel your best and have the energy to enjoy this time and thrive. Eat well, get plenty of fluids, rest. You deserve all of this and more.
References
Weight Loss While Breastfeeding: What’s Safe for Moms? | InfantRisk Center
Can You Take Zepbound While Breastfeeding? New Human Milk Study Findings | InfantRisk Center
Subcutaneous Semaglutide during Breastfeeding: Infant Safety Regarding Drug Transfer into Human Milk
