by Donna Sinnott courtesy Nursing Mother News
Several studies have been done in the last few years looking
at before-exercise breastmilk and after-exercise breastmilk. The
popular press reported that breastmilk after exercise has higher
concentrations of lactic acid (produced by exercise) and the babies
were judged to be less accepting of the after-exercise milk.
Wide publicity has been given to this research and can still be found
in current magazines. But, after reviewing many studies, Dewey and
McCrory, in 1994, concluded that exercise gives breastfeeding mothers
better cardiovascular fitness and that exercise during breastfeeding
is safe for most women.
"Altered acceptance of breastmilk due to higher lactic acid
concentrations post exercise is not likely to be a problem in most
cases," the researchers reported.
Laurie O'Donnell, counselor, athlete and breastfeeding mom from
Downingtown, Penn., has not experienced any problems with nursing
after exercise. Realistically, exercise can be beneficial to any
breastfeeding mother. It is recommended that a nursing mother minimize
her weight loss to four pounds or less per month, drink to thirst and
just enjoy motherhood.
References:
"The Breastfeeding Answer Book" Mohrbacher and Stock
Breastfeeding.com thanks Donna Sinnott for allowing
us to reprint her article.
This article originally appeared in Nursing Mother News, a publication
of Nursing Mothers Alliance. Nursing Mothers Alliance is an all
volunteer, non-profit organization that supports nursing mothers in
the Philadelphia area and offers training courses. The group can be contacted at
their warmline at (610) 251-9405 or email Donna Sinnott at corikyle@aol.com
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