Let’s break the rumor that you can’t or shouldn’t exercise while breastfeeding because it will diminish your milk supply. This flawed information came from the fact that a mother’s milk is high in lactic acid after working out and that the baby won’t take to it. This is partially true, but it only applies to very intense training—meaning, training to your 100% maximum intensity level. Sure, workouts like this can be awesome, but if you’re a nursing mother, all you have to do is take it down a couple of notches from your 100% and you’re good to go!

I was cleared to begin training again six weeks after giving birth, and I know that I wasn’t even able to have a workout that intense right out of the gate—so, really, there’s nothing to worry about. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re a nursing mama that’s ready to get her groove on at the gym:

Listen To Your Body

Once you are cleared to workout, you are welcome to return to running, lifting, cardio, yoga or any workout you love to do. The only exception I would be cautious of is any intense core workouts—if you had Diastasis Recti (separation of the abs during pregnancy), you’ll want to take the extra time to let your Rectus Abdominis come back together after being stretched during pregnancy. Also, if you delivered via cesarean, you’ll want to be extra careful of your incision recovery. Just listen to your body!

Wear The Correct Sports Bra

To make sure you are comfortable during your workout, it’s important you wear the correct sports bra. Try on different brands, sizes and supports. You don’t want to constrict them too much, but you want support.

Pump Or Nurse Right Before Your Workout

This will help a lot with the comfort of your sports bra…and you. It’s hard to even sit around doing nothing while your breasts are engorged with milk, so I highly recommend NOT working out like that.

Drink More Water

Dehydration = diminished milk supply. This applies whether you are working out or not. If you started training and notice a decrease in milk supply, don’t blame it on the workout just yet. Increase your water intake to get back on track!

Start Simple

I know it is tempting to hit the gym the day and hour you are finally cleared to workout again. You want to get back to those awesome workouts you were doing earlier in your pregnancy or before you were pregnant, but take it easy! I had my baby in my arms last week and did 20 squats in my living room while holding her, and I was really sore the next couple of days. Talk about a reality check!

I suggest starting your journey back to fit by baby wearing! Purchase a great carrier (I love my Boba Wrap and Sakura Bloom Baby Sling and start moving! You’re already burning an extra 200-500 more calories each day by breastfeeding alone…you can burn even more (make sure you’re getting enough calories!) just by wearing your little bundle while you run errands, get things done around the house or, even better, do some walking lunges down the hallway!

See my fun baby-wearing workout for some ideas,

Click Here!