A recent study from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) has demonstrated that exclusive breastfeeding significantly aids postpartum weight loss, particularly for women with a high body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy. The study revealed that women with a high BMI who practiced exclusive breastfeeding lost more weight compared to their counterparts with a normal BMI.
Specifically, women with high pre-pregnancy BMI who exclusively breastfed lost an average of 200 grams more than those with a normal BMI, who retained approximately 1,330 grams of their pregnancy weight after one year. In contrast, exclusive breastfeeding resulted in less weight retention across all BMI categories compared to mixed feeding or formula feeding.
The year-long study, supported by the Tanoto Foundation, tracked 379 first-time mothers, examining their postpartum weight changes in relation to their feeding practices. Participants were categorized based on whether they exclusively breastfed, used a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding, or used formula feeding exclusively.
The study showed that six months postpartum, women who exclusively breastfed retained approximately 910 grams of their postnatal weight, compared to 3,280 grams retained by those who mixed fed, and 4,150 grams by those who formula fed. At the 12-month mark, exclusive breastfeeding mothers retained about 960 grams, while mixed feeding and formula feeding mothers retained 2,800 grams and 3,740 grams, respectively.
The findings highlight that exclusive breastfeeding is particularly beneficial for women with high BMI, offering an additional weight loss advantage. Dr. Loy See Ling, the study’s lead author and Assistant Professor at KKH, noted that hormonal factors might contribute to the redistribution of body fat, facilitating greater weight loss among these women.
Dr. Loy emphasized the importance of these findings in Singapore, where obesity rates are rising, currently standing at 10.5%. She suggested that promoting exclusive breastfeeding, combined with lifestyle changes, could improve metabolic health for new mothers and reduce the risk of long-term conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
The study is the first of its kind to investigate the link between breastfeeding practices and postpartum weight loss in an Asian, multi-ethnic population. The research is part of the Community-enabled Readiness for the first 1,000 Days Learning Ecosystem (CRADLE) program, which aims to enhance parenting practices from pregnancy through early childhood. CRADLE, funded by the Tanoto Foundation, provides a range of support options, including routine care, behavioral nudges via text messages, and midwife-led continuity care.
Dr. Loy’s findings contribute to the broader goal of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), which focuses on the long-term health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. The research underscores the importance of breastfeeding in setting a foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing for both mothers and their children.
As the CRADLE program advances, it will continue to offer innovative, evidence-based strategies to support first-time parents, fostering positive child development and healthy behaviors.
