Literature Review: The Relationship Between Exclusive Breastfeeding and Weight Changes in Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial for mothers such as influencing the return of weight after childbirth, affecting the duration of postpartum amenorrhea, reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, minimizing osteoporosis, and reducing the risk of depression in the mother, but many mothers do not do that. Some studies say exclusive breastfeeding for longer can trigger an increase in milk production, to produce breast milk the mother needs to spend more calories and can reduce weight after giving birth. The majority of studies show little or no relationship between breastfeeding and changes in body weight or body composition, but some studies show a positive relationship between the two. Objective: To examine the literature on the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and changes in body weight in breastfeeding mothers. Methods: This type of research is a Literature Review. Review 10 journals published in the period 2011-2021 with a discussion of the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and changes in maternal weight. Results: Seven journals showed an association between exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and weight changes in breastfeeding mothers. However, three other journals explained that exclusive breastfeeding was not associated with weight changes in breastfeeding mothers. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding and weight changes in breastfeeding mothers are interrelated.