Breastfeeding Mom Wanting to Take Acai Berry Supplements

It is not a good idea to lose weight too quickly while breastfeeding as it can definitely affect your milk supply. Just stick to sensible eating and moderate exercise. I never really "dieted" at all after my son was born, and was back to my pre-baby weight by 10 months. I am also really wanting to do a cleanse but I am waiting until he is weaned. Good luck!

Hello K.,

I'm no doctor, which is who I think you should ask.. but I have had to take cleansing products before for a medical procedure. I was breastfeeding at the time, and I couldn't breastfeed my baby while I was doing that. The doctor told me what I take affects the baby. This includes cleansers, laxatives, medicines, etc etc.

I wouldn't do anything until the doctor says it's 100% safe. It's a scary thought that the baby would have to go through that too.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Hi K.,
I don't know about the safety of these two methods, I do know that the best and safest way to lose weight is to eat sensibly and exercise. Colon cleanses are a lot of hype and I haven't heard enough about acai berry to have an opinion on it, but it sounds like a passing fad to me. While you are solely breastfeeding, your first priority should be the health of your baby. I was struggling to lose weight after my pregnancy with my second baby and started walking with them 3-5 times a week. The other thing I did was stop my "me time" snack (usually something big and chocolate)that I would have when I got both boys down for their afternoon naps. Those two changes alone have helped me drop 25 pounds since December.

Good luck with your weight loss goals!

Hi K.,
Congratulations on your new baby!
I really sympathize. After my pregnancy I really wanted to do a cleanse too. I felt so bloated and junked up from eating a lot while pregnant and then you're not moving much with a newborn around. However, I would really encourage you to wait until you've weaned your little one. When you do a cleanse, your organs will flush out toxins they've been holding onto and those toxins will end up in your breastmilk. Not to mention, you'll be putting an additional stress on your body at a time when it is trying to recover minerals and other nutrients you "spent" while creating a beautiful baby.
It is so hard to be patient, but since you are breastfeeding now and you are a stay at home Mom, seems like you'll have a good long time to breastfeed and that will ultimately help you slim down and tone up more than you realize. It's not fast, but it's the most natural way to recover your figure and your good health after pregnancy. Hang in there!
A.

Hi K.

It is very important that you are taking supplements ... so you are getting what you need and therefore what the baby needs. I know of thousands of Moms taking a very safe nutritional food shake .... that is totally safe ... in fact my daughter is using it as her prenatal nutritional supplement! This company has been around for over 20 years and has 6 U.S. Gov't patents and there are 3 more pending! We have a childs shake that helps Mom know their kiddos are getting what they need - especially when they are picky eaters! If you want more information, you can contact me to schedule a walk through our website and give you more information. contact: Sue ____@____.com ###-###-####
Happy mothering! I'm also looking for Moms who want to establish a home-based business.

Hello K.;
If you want scientific information on ACAI, please let me know, I will email you what I have. There is a definate difference in the quality and powder and tablets do not stack up to other products that are available.
You have received some good advice from the other responses. Eat right and do not skimp on quality of what you are feeding your body. I also have an article on why you should be eating organic. If you are intersted contact me.
S. T

No not a good time to any cleanses while you are breastfeeding! Wait until you are done. A healthy whole foods diet + exercise is the best way to lose weight! Congrats on baby.

Ask your doctor. I was told to consume 300 extra calories a day while pregnant and 600 extra calories a day while breast feeding.

Hi K.
Congrats on your new baby.
I can't say I know whether or not it's safe to do a colon cleanse while you are still breastfeeding, however, I have read a lot on GREEN nutrition. While I do think Acai Berry is a great antioxidant, what you might want to consider at this time as oppose to a full on colon cleanse is rather than taking AWAY from your daily meals, begin to ADD good things, like more leafy greens and cruciferious vegetables such as broccoli. I read and think it's true that the more good stuff you add, the less junk you want. In addition, perhaps a daily GREEN smoothie (if you have a juicer) or even blender is a good start. I make them all the time by jucing celery, spinache, kale and then add that to the blender along with FROZEN blueberries, raspberries and yes, some acai powder. When I am in a rush or not in the mood to pull out the juicer, I use an organic green powder , add filtered water and toss it back. Of course, it takes some getting used to all the GREEN taste, but nowadays, I don't mind it. In addition and since amping up the green juice powder (two times a day) as oppose to just once, I am beginning to feel sooooooooooooooooooo much healthier, alive and high on life. I know it sounds fishy, but take it from someone who has experienced the difference, I feel like I have much more energy. Lastly, many powdered green juices you find these days now have LIVE probiotics added, not sure , but if you are like me, at times in life, I have suffered from reoccuring yeast infections , the probiotics and GREEN has now made my body more alkaline (so that the over abundance of candida) can't live in it.. I truly believe in the power of green..

good luck in whatever you decide..

Hi K.,

Breastfeeding is very demanding of the body, and a colon cleanse will further stress you. I think it would be wise to wait until you've weaned your little one. That said, it's ALWAYS a good time to start eating fresh, whole foods. If you want to treat yourself right, it's good to start with a few basics: (which incidentally will help lose weight over time) Cut all white flour out, and white sugar as well. If you eat potatoes, don't eat them fried and don't eat them every day. Eat whole oats, and whole grain bread which has ONLY whole grains in it, this can be challenging with some labels; you have to do some research to find good brands. Also, when you're hungry try a handfull of nuts, some VERY lightly sweetened yogurt, whole fresh fruit or carrot and celery sticks (not necessarily all at once! It takes some getting used to, and you will have cravings for foods your body is used to, but the pay off is that you'll adjust and start to feel like a million bucks. All the best.

No sure specifically about the acai berry supplements but I know the colon/body cleanse I did said not to do while pregnant or breastfeeding.

I wouldn't do a colon cleanse, as the toxins end up in your milk. But I myself do take acai berry powder in my daily smoothies, and I am still breastfeeding...so far no ill effects..Acai is rich in vit C.

If the colon cleanse involves your not eating, it's a bad idea. You need the calories and nutrition while you are nursing.

If the cleanse involves supplements, be wary of them. Unregulated supplements can sometimes be harmful.

Dear K.,
Congratulations on your baby!
Oh, how I remember when my son was that little. It was a long time ago.
In my personal opinion, I don't think you should embark on a 30 day colon cleanse while breastfeeding. You need every nutrient and fluid you can get your hands on for your body to make enough breast milk for your baby.
I'm not familiar with acai berry, so I won't comment on it, but if you want to take it to lose weight, I would not suggest it. Your baby is only 3 months old, and I don't know how much weight you gained during your pregnancy, but worrying about losing weight right now just seems too soon to me.
We all see movie stars and models who look like they've never had a kid 3 months after giving birth, but I don't think it's realistic for most of us. They can afford personal trainers and personal chefs......
You need calories in order to produce milk and believe it or not, just producing milk and breastfeeding burns calories.
The weather will be getting warmer so you can take walks with your kids, try yoga, and be sure to eat healthy calories - proteins, vegetables, fruits, lots of water. Eat healthy meals and snacks on a regular basis throughout the day. Fresh air and exercise will help with your metabolism as well.

That's just my opinion and I certainly wish you well.
Take care!

K.,
Congratulations on being a mom! You are wise to want to cleanse and re-fuel. The most important thing in the cleansing process is to make sure it is not too rapid and your not getting dehydrated. For sure your milk supply would dry up. Now, the second most important thing is to be taking a liquid supplement that is restoring your minerals at a cellular level. That way, your body and your baby's milk is getting all the good stuff. I don't know enough about Acai to say whether it has what you need or not. But, I can help you if you need a proven product for both the colon cleanse and nutritional supplement. Either way, good luck! You can email me at ____@____.com if you'd like.

M. S.