Halle Berry has been busy lately. I actually kind of wonder if Halle wasn’t a bit cash-poor, because right after giving birth to son Maceo, she signed on to a new TV show, Extant. She’s been filming non-stop for a few months, and sources keep saying that she’s cozying up to Goran Visnjic, her costar. Which means that Halle and Olivier Martinez might be on the outs. But what’s really happening? I have no idea. Halle sat down with Extra and she did discuss Olivier a little bit, but she didn’t say much about the state of her marriage:
Halle starts out talking about Maceo and giving birth in her 40s, saying: “I just feel great because I have another baby. I never thought that at my stage in life another baby — and a baby boy — was coming to me, so yeah, I’m blessed.” When asked about how her figure snapped back so quickly (she only gave birth five months ago), Halle said: “Every mother should breastfeed. It’s the quickest way to shed the initial weight and then you have to eat right.”
Halle also confirms that she’s got Maceo with her on set at all times, and Nahla comes to the set after school (“I have a nursery there, a playroom for her, so I try to make it as nice as I can for them to spend time with them, see them.”) which is interesting because those pesky sources keep claiming that Olivier is pissed at how little time Halle is spending with Maceo.
Olivier also got a part on ABC’s Revenge, and this is all Halle says about him: “I’m going to follow his little arc along. I’m very proud of him… I think he’s delicious.” Interesting.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
Yay, the ‘should’ word.
Yeah. Every mother “should” do what they feel is right for their baby and their body. And Halle should stfu. 😉
ETA: She does look great tho, albeit a bit Britney Spears in the eye area.
If she is giving tips on how she shed her weight why should she stfu? It is not like called for a law like Giselle. She said should, not must. Whenever people asked how I lost my baby weight I always said the same thing.
With my first daughter I had to supplement with formula and it took me about a month to take off 15 pounds, but carried around the remaining 10 pounds of baby weight for a year until I got pregnant again. With my second I exclusively breastfed, and the weight just melted off. I lost all the baby weight plus the leftover 10 pounds in less than two months. Then I lost an additional 10 pounds. I was walking around with a baby in my skinny jeans.
When you get slim so quickly after birth everyone wants to know how. I did not diet or exercise because I was afraid it would decrease my milk supply. Only think I did was nurse. I’m not saying that will happen for everyone, but that was my experience. My tummy hasn’t been this flat since college.
Because not every mother CAN. “Should” is a judgmental word for this really sensitive context.
Everytime somebody gives their opinion on a topic (to which they were ASKED) so many people get up in arms if it doesn’t align with their own beleifs or what they did in those same circumstances. Ask any doctor, OBGYN or pediatrician and they will tell you that breasfeeding helps the mother lose weight and promotes the baby’s brain development as well as gives the baby antibodies that better develop their immunities – more so than babies who are formula/bottle fed from birth. It is a fact. If you don’t breastfeed, it doesn’t mean your baby isn’t going to be smart or that they’re guaranteed to be sickly, but breastfeeding has proven to be more beneficial on numerous levels to both mother and baby. What she should have said is, “….if you can” because there are some mothers who for whatever reason are not able to breasfeed. That said, there is nothing wrong with promoting breastfeeding. Stop taking it personal.
It’s just not as simple as “don’t take it personally.” It really isn’t.
Beyond that, more recent studies have shown that the advantages have been overstated for years. Studies are interpretations of data, and both the data and the methods of interpreting it change all the time. That’s true in all areas of health. There’s no one right answer, and anyone who says there is, is pushing their agenda.
More recent study singular, not studies. And the results of the one study, which suggested a breastfed sibling fares no better than a formula fed one, have yet to be duplicated or understood. There is a real danger in drawing too much from an isolated study. Remember the Wakefield autism study? So important to wait and let the scientific community review. Numerous studies have substantiated the positive effects of breastfeeding.
Some people can’t or don’t want to breastfeed and that should be respected, but it’s asking too much to ban anyone from stating the benefits of breastfeeding.
“it’s asking too much to ban anyone from stating the benefits of breastfeeding.”
So it’s a good thing I didn’t say that, then. Sure, I know about the Wakefield study. And I know that this is only the first study, but there may be more. I also know that for years, any number of studies showed that saturated fat would kill us, but now maybe it’s just fine? So while there are benefits to breastfeeding, I’m far from convinced that they are definitive and universal, or that the studies that have been done are any better than the studies that have yet to be done.
We all make the best decisions we can, under the circumstances we have. Or at least most of us do. And if you believe the first sentence, as I do, then “always” and “every” and “should” are words that you try to avoid when discussing this kind of subject.
she looks so gorgeous though…
So true, it’s an odd day when she doesn’t look good.
STFU. Forever. Seriously, I repeat: STFU. We don’t give a shit how you lost your weight. Did you see anyone ask? Some women have every intention of breastfeeding and then experience a traumatic event that prohibits. Pre-term baby, anyone? Been through that little Miss Oh-The-Horror-Of-Not-Shedding-My-Weight? My son was born prematurely. After taking five private breastfeeding courses during pregnancy, reading every book available about successful nursing and hiring a Board Certified Lactation Consultant to be on hand for when I delivered, I had a preemie and realized I should have read about NICU PTSD, feeding tubes full of pumped breast milk to ensure my son got the right amount of CCs each feed (no leisurely baby-to-breast-on-demand here) and every other horror associated with LEAVING your baby every night and sleeping away from them during NICU admission. True terror. So, the “should” Halle and everyone speaks of…. go get bent. Then, deliver a baby who came far too early and needed far more care than ever fair for an innocent little newborn. Oh, and then STFU again.
Really, so because you had a premature baby and was unable to breastfeed, people should not promote breastfeeding even though is has been medically proven to be beneficial to the baby and the mother? She’s speaking on the average mother-to-be, not those with problematic pregnancies or births which are the minority. You are projecting.
@stfu ok stop… Breathe…. She isn’t calling anyone who wasn’t able to bf a failure, nor did she say it would ruin your baby or bond. She was talking about weight loss. And yes, the interviewer asked. No, you specifically didn’t ask, but someone did. She’s not busting into your home flaunting it in your face with picketing signs, and it’s not a personal attack. You’re clearly sensitive on the subject and I totally understand, and while yes most doctors inform that breastfeeding is preferred and there are facts to back it up, nobody is saying formula is poison or failing as a mother. Not feeding your baby is.
It’s all right, ok, mama? Nobody thinks you’re a failure. It’s ok.
I concur with everything Wiffie says. The INTERVIEWER asked.
I don’t think she meant it in the way Giselle did. She was just saying that breastfeeding helps you lose the baby weight, which in most (not all) cases is true. She’s not trying to give baby-raising advice like Giselle was. Seems like a harmless comment to me. :/
Agree. I think she’s just meant it as a weight loss tip.
I understand why people react to the “every mother should…” but I don’t think she meant it that way.
The question was about looking so slim after only giving birth 5 months prior. Her answer was breast feeding helped her and will help moms so they should do that to help speed things along. Also eating right.
I have read breast feeding is quite helpful in shedding baby weight. No need to attack her.
She looks better than me, and I’ve had zero kids.
Also, no one should breastfeed just because ‘it’s a great way to lose weight’. That’s a nice side effect for a lot of women, but it’s not something one ‘should’ be doing just to lose weight.
People should breastfeed for whatever reason they want. I had a friend that did it because she said it was better for the environment. She said it kept a year’s worth of plastic canisters from being dumped in a landfill. She never even used bottles. I thought is was a weird, but her boobs her choice.
I don’t think she meant this in a judgy way. I think this is more of an ‘assuming your capable of breast feeding, it’s the best way to lose baby weight quickly’. It’s how I lost all of mine over just a few weeks.
Yeah, I wish she would have just tossed in a “if she can.” Though I really don’t think she’s trying to be bossy or condescending here, I can see that it could come across that way.
“if she can” makes a big difference in a lot of areas of parenting (in many cases, it should be “if he can,” since most of parenting is not limited to mothers!)
OMG reaching. It’s a mother talking to mothers who are interested. No one has to be gender and issue neutral every time they speak and the PC police jump em.
Here we go again.
Way to shade the mom’s who don’t Gis…Halle. Oh and your husband too – “his little arc”? Nice.
I thought the same thing about “little arc.” Felt … patronizing. Wonder what Prince (Not) Charming had to say about that when he watched the show….
Really. Isn’t it cute how he has this itty bitty “career?”
So if she suggested swimming as a way to lose weight should I feel shaded because I can’t swim.? She didn’t say breastfeeding is best for your baby she said that’s how she lost most of her baby weight.Obviously everyone can’t breastfeed.Also everyone doesn’t lose weight while breastfeeding.It does work for millions of women.If a well liked celeb said it….
Imagine Angelina Jolie would say the same – it would not get so much outrage.
Everyone and their Mom knows that topics like abortion, politics and breastfeeding are going to end you in hot water. The mommy wars are real, she is over 40 years old and knows saying something like every mom should breast feed is like raising a red flag of war. Every celebrity that has stepped into the mommy wars gets burned.
She didn’t suggest as you say in your post, she said “should”. As in, if you do not, you are doing something wrong.
I feel very sensitive about this topic. I was physically unable to breastfeed. My breasts would not make milk. I went to specialists, took pills, did all the silly old wives tales, and nothing. It was so hurtful to me and it still hurts. Many times people make comments as though I was giving my baby ‘rat poison’ when they hear my baby is straight formula fed. So yes, it’s great to promote breastfeeding but I think they shouldn’t “should” all moms not knowing their situation. And I also think celebs are FULL OF IT when they say they lost their weight from breastfeeding. Yes it uses a lot of calories but I know it makes most women HUNGRY and celebs always act like that’s all they did and poof 3 months later size zero. Give us a break!
@Cotton Candy..
go read through the archives and see how much shit Angelina gets on what she says. That others don’t. Read her interview after she had the twins. Then come back. OUtrage is a kind term to what she gets thrown at her. Or how she got attacked for things she never said. Funny how people forget these things.
That’s excellent advice for all the women who *can’t* breastfeed (we do exist). :-\
well, the second part of advise – eat consiously 🙂 works for everyone
Ela, she is obviously talking about women who can nurse. For those can’t she would probably say eat right and exercise.
every woman should especially do what she wants, I’m breastfeeding my two children for 6 months (I regret it) and my not specially ca ca slim but very tired
oops I meant to say I regret not
Once again a star spouting off at the mouth about every mother breastfeeding. First, not all women can breast feed. And those who choose not to breastfeed are just as good of mothers as those who do. I know some amazing mothers that did not breastfeed their children. So let’s get off that train and let every woman do what is best for her without judging. Secondly, not all women lose weight when they breastfeed. You should not restrict your diet (nor should you go overboard with the eating) when breastfeeding. Eating properly is a given and if you are allowed to exercise (some women aren’t) then yes the initial weight will come off. BTW, I breastfed my daughters.
Why are people so damn sensitive here?? The woman answered a question in a way that would help mothers lose weight. She didn’t attack mothers who don’t or can’t nurse. For all we know, the question asked of Halle might have been “What would you say to the mothers out there who might be wondering how you loss your baby weight so quickly?”
If she had said “Oh, that’s my little secret” people here probably would have called her a stuck up Bi$ch.
Every time a celebrity breast feeds and loses weight the answer is because of breastfeeding. I’m just pointing out that it isn’t necessarily true. And she is shading women by saying the “should” breastfeed and that is the way to lose weight. That’s not always true. Not being sensitive but it irritates me that they tout breast feeding as a way to lose weight.
Exactly Emma. This is madness. She is giving weight loss tips.
@Swack, who wrote: “I’m just pointing out that it isn’t necessarily true. And she is shading women by saying the “should” breastfeed and that is the way to lose weight. That’s not always true.”
But she ‘did not’ say breasting feeding is the ‘only’ way for mothers to lose weight. You were so worked up you completely missed the other half of her comment, which was “It’s the quickest way to shed the initial weight and then you have to eat right.”
@Emma – I think the Thought Police showed up today. Many of the people commenting in this article I have never seen their names on this sure. They want to control how everyone else thinks. Halle clearly thinks breastfeeding is a good idea and she said so but the Thought Police are only happy if you share their views. Now if Halle went on a crusade and was spouting off that women who don’t breastfeeding are bad, etc. then I agree there would be justifiable reasons to be upset at Halle. This is why I think it is dangerous to fall into strongly with any group because there is the danger of becoming intolerant of anyone who doesn’t agree with you.
This. I think it’s a no-win situation and I can’t stand Halle but I won’t fault her on answering a damn question. Maybe she could have said, “for me, breastfeeding helped me lose the weight” and maybe she did but it was changed in the writing. Who knows. I’m just tired of people attacking anyone who dares to say they breastfeed and it is a good thing. Good God! We need to quit tearing each other apart on stuff like this. It gets us nowhere. We women are our own worst enemies.
Okay. I’m seeing two very different scenarious playing out in these posts. There are some mothers who take offense to Halle’s comment because they were not able to breastfeed and feel put down by anybody promoting breastfeeding. That is taking a medically proven fact as a slap in the face because their feelings are hurt being reminded they could not breastfeed. I’m sympathetic to that viewpoint, but it is overly sensitive to expect people to stop promoting something healthy just because it hurts the feelings of those who are/were unable to do it.
Then there is the faction here that say it is their choice and whatever choice is made, is still good for the mother and the baby. I’m just going to say it – if you are able to breastfeed, but choose not to due to scheduling, work, whatever, that may be better for you, but it is not better for your baby. Although I’m sure most bottle-fed babies are fine, the fact is, those babies would have even better immune systems and brain development had they been breastfed. Say what you want, but you’re trying to justify a decision that made things easier for you. Your baby may be fine, but you don’t know what difference breastfeeding would have made because it wasn’t an experiment with a control subject and a variable subject. Who knows?
The problem from my perspective is that third parties shouldn’t be weighing in on this choice at all. Unless there is true harm to the child involved – i.e., neglect or abuse (mental or physical) — if you are not the child’s parent, you don’t get to express an opinion about the parenting choices unless you are explicitly asked to do so. I certainly wouldn’t appreciate someone weighing in, unasked, on my decisions as to where to send my kid to school, when bedtime should be, how to teach appropriate manners, etc. Breastfeeding is one of a multitude of issues about which no one other than me (and, possibly, my co-parent) is entitled to opine. All that said, I think Halle simply phrased her response inelegantly– I don’t think that she was attempting to assert a value-laden judgment if for no other reason than it would be stupid for her to alienate a potential portion of her fan base.
” Your baby may be fine, but you don’t know what difference breastfeeding would have made because it wasn’t an experiment with a control subject and a variable subject. ”
This statement works both ways, though–you see that, don’t you?
I’m pretty sure the whole debate exists because of people who spout off at the mouth about other people’s choices.
The fact is…an entire generation ago most people were formula fed. I was formula fed. I have a Master’s degree and a great, demanding job. I’m also pretty physically active and healthy. Would I have been Stephen Hawking smart with the body of a supermodel if only I’d been breastfed? Somehow, I sincerely doubt it.
It’s a dumb debate that needs to die. If you’ve fed your child so that they’ve thrived and survived, then you’ve done your job. All anyone needs to know.
Geez I hate it when mothers find it necessary to tell other mothers what they should or should not do.
I breastfed both of my boys until they were each 5 months old, but I don’t feel that makes me a better mother then ones that don’t breastfeed at all, or a worse mother than one that continues to nurse for a year or more.
If children are loved and cared for, that is what matters.
She did not call anyone a bad mother. In fact she wasn’t even talking about parenting, only weight loss.
That’s the opinion EVERYONE should have. I wasn’t breast fed, neither was my fiance. If we have kids, it’s OUR choice if we formula feed, or breastfeed. Too many people (on both sides of the fence) have a tendency to shame others. It’s nice to see someone posting like you 🙂
She was simply asked how she lost the baby weight so fast and she gave an honest answer. Get a grip.
After becoming a mother, I have come to realize that we are all just doing the best we can. I hate when other people project what they think every mother should be doing. I had a horrific time trying to breast feed my child. We later learned he had speech apraxia and his mouth muscles weren’t as strong as they should be. So after a month of tears and exhaustion, realized it wasn’t happening, and I ended up exclusively pumping breast milk for 11 months. And I have to say, if I ever have another child and there are issues, I will be formula feeding and not giving any *ucks what other people think.
Exactly. Everyone does what they feel is best for their child and their family, and that’s going to vary because we all have different children and families.
Every actress SHOULD learn to stop making sweeping generalizations.
I have to think her money has been running low too- she hasn’t worked a ton until recently, and all those lawyers must be expensive.
Oh gee … it couldn’t ‘possibly’ have anything to do with the $225,000 she pays her deadbeat Baby Daddy per year, could it?
He really should get a job. I felt the court proceedings made it hard, for a while, for him to travel much. But it seems to have been very quiet for quite some time now. He really has no excuse to not work at this point, as he does not have full custody either…
We “should” all be so privileged to have a life that allows for the intense time commitment for breastfeeding then, too, right Halle? I hate when celebrities in particular discuss anything parenting-related because they all seem to forget that they have time and resources that typical mothers do not have. Even if they are a single parent working on a TV series or filming a movie, they seem to have more input and control when it comes to their needs and baby’s – nurseries on set, hired help at home, trainers, etc. I want a celebrity to say “Sure, I am making all of these great choices for my baby, thank goodness I’m so wealthy and flexible.”
Others have also already mentioned the “everyone should” phrase is a problem, celebrity or not. I am pro-breastfeeding to an obnoxious extent, but I have discovered, with 2 children in a row, that my body does not agree and I’m currently working with specialists to try to help my 4-mo-old daughter gain weight while continuing to breastfeed. But it might not work, and that’s just reality. AND, I was able to make the choice to stay home this year and not teach after each of my children were born, and I 100% know that I wouldn’t be able to invest this much time and effort into it if I had gone right back to work.
Basically, shut it, Halle.
Ladies, chill. She wasn’t throwing shade at women who can’t breast feed. Part of the problem with the mommy wars is either side is always looking for reasons to be butthurt over what another mother says/does when it really doesn’t matter. At all. I didn’t lose a damn thing until I started eating super “clean” while breastfeeding (currently still am) and am not taking offense.
Is your kid flourishing? Then you’re doing motherhood right.
You made me defend Halle Berry, shame on you:)
The problem is with the sweeping generalizations. *every* mother…. Just say what worked for you and leave it at that. (Not you, I meant Halle, obv.)
you beat me to it!!
people should take what celebrities say with a grain of salt and stop taking it so personally when they make comments like this. if you are comfortable with your own decision – and it IS your decision – you shouldn’t feel defensive and get all riled up whenever a celeb talks like this. seriously, it’s not about you
Breastfeeding is a sensitive topic for a lot of people who can’t/don’t/won’t breastfeed and whenever some speaks positively about it, it causes a lot of backlash. As evidenced by many of the comments here where people bring up their own experiences, many get on the defensive and take the sentiment of the article personally. GEt over it folks. Comment about Halle and disagree/agree, but it’s not about you.
Double comment, sorry.
Well put. She wasn’t throwing shade at anyone other than her husband (“little arc” WTF?) in this interview. I have three kids. One exclusively fed formula, one both formula and breastfed, one exclusively breastfed. People have to do what works for them under the circumstances of their life and should try not to take comments like Halle’s personally.
Based on my experience, she was right, breast feeding can help you lose the weight (particularly if, like Halle, you don’t gain more than recommended to begin with and are in good shape to start with).
The whole breastfeeding=magic weight loss kills me. It is not a magic pill. I did NOT breastfeed my first and I lost all but 10 lbs the first month. #2 is all breastfed from day 1. I’m still clinging to 15 extra lbs. Baby is now 7 months. I’m running and working out, not eating too bad and My top half looks like a bowl of jello. Nothing is a cure all for everything. I wish all people, especially celebrities would phrase their thoughts more along the line “X worked for me” Not “Everyone should do it because this is the best way to do it”
It was a magic pill for me. That was her experience too. Everyone’s body is different.
It worked for you because it created a calorie deficit. If you have eaten enough to cover the deficit, you wouldn’t have lost any weight. That’s the whole point – nothing about breastfeeding works differently than good old “calories in, calories out.” That’s truly all it is. You would have seem the same results if you had simply created the deficit through eating less and/or increased cardio activity. That’s the whole point. There’s nothing particularly special about it – it works on the same principle as any other weight loss regime.
Breastfeeding burns calories just like doing cardio burns calories.Both can work, some women can’t breastfeed others can’t do cardio (C section). Halle already watches her diet due to her diabetes.
Sam when I had my first baby, I had to supplement and had trouble losing weight. With my second I only nursed, and lost so much weight I was in my skinny jeans in a couple of months. I ate like a pig and did not exercise. I don’t care why it happened, just happy it did. I have never in my life, even when exercising and eating right, lost so much weight so fast.
Jess, nothing you’ve said actually refutes my point. Weight loss generally happens for a simple reason – you spend more than you take in (obviously, I am basing this upon a woman who is generally healthy and isn’t taking any kinds of meds that can alter the natural metabolism). If you lose weight quickly, that is because you created a sizable caloric deficit within your body. Full stop. Saying you “ate like a pig” proves nothing – unless you were tracking calories, you have no real idea of what you ate. But any substantial weight loss means you were in a calorie deficit. But the point is that breastfeeding isn’t special in that sense. I created the exact same effect by upping my cardio and increasing spent calories. Your method, as I pointed out, is not exactly special.
Sam, I didn’t say it was special. It was just super easy. Sitting and watching a breaking bad marathon while eating a steak, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and a milk shake was easy.
Jess, let’s clarify that is was easy for you. I’m sure it’s tougher if your one of the multitudes who have either a maternal or baby issue that makes nursing not as easy. I’ve actually watched friends of mine driven almost to (what I’m pretty sure was) literal near-madness from trying to nurse. I can’t see how that’s easier that counting points or adding some cardio. I think the biggest take away from this whole conversation should be a big flashing sign that says “It’s Not About You.”
I know there are countless women who can’t nurse even if they want to. I posted a long list of reasons that prevent nursing below. I have not criticized anyone for not nursing.
All I said was that I had the same experience as Halle. This is all about her, because it is her interview. There is also nothing wrong with people posting about their own experiences. People do this on here every day.
I got fat as hell when I was breastfeeding. I gained back everything I lost from giving birth. I was only 5 lbs under what I weighed when I delivered. A lot of people don’t realize that those first couple of months all you do is sit on your ass and nurse.
She’s just saying that if you want to lose baby weight, you should breastfeed to help with it.
Really not as bad as people are reading into it. Breastfeeding does normally help with weight loss and recovery (your uterus shrinks back more quickly).
You burn more calories than if you formula feed. That’s all she’s saying
I could of sworn this movie came out years ago and that i have already seen it.
**laughs**
Lol seriously i know i sound crazy but perhaps she has done something similar to this before.
I think she just misspoke. She’s not ramming breast feeding in our faces, she’s discussing weight loss. As a new mom she should know what a nuclear issue using words like “should” and “breastfeed” in the same sentence though.
However, even as a weight loss method, breastfeeding is misrepresented. Sure it’ll help you lose some weight but your body will retain some fat as it needs it to produce calorific breast milk.
GMAFB she was asked how she lost the baby weight.
She said breastfeeding worked initially then it was eating sensible meals.
She looks beautiful as usual
The sad fact is that there are many many situations why a mother can’t breastfeed. Maybe her baby died, or she placed her baby for adoption, or the mom’s anatomy doesn’t quite fit with the baby’s sucking anatomy. Maybe the baby has a severe cleft lip and palate. Or maybe the mother just can’t or won’t. Whatever. Most of the situations I named, and many others I’m not even aware of, are so emotional and cut the mother deep. So any discussion by a star about “should,” as it concerns children, hurts and stings. Even when it’s unintentional and relatively innocent.
Hugs to all the mothers who read this article despite themselves and are now feeling stung! xoxo.
The issue is that she’s wrong. Breastfeeding is not a magic pill that affects weight loss. It works in the exact same way regular weightloss does. Breasfeeding generally induces a calorie deficit, which helps along weight loss. However, if the mother is eating enough to cover the deficit, she probably won’t see any weight loss. It’s not magic, it’s just the good old “calories in, calories out” type of thing.
Honestly, I didn’t breastfeed and I walked out of the hospital at my starting weight. The big secret they don’t tell you is that the single most effective way to lose baby weight is to not put it on in the first place. The overwhelming majority of the weight you gain should be baby, placenta and related fluids. A woman who gorges and gains very excessively will not lose that through breastfeeding. A woman who gained very little will likely lose it all whether she nurses or not. I suspect that Halle was in the former category – she’s one of those pregnant women who only gain weight in the stomach area. I can’t imagine she had very much to lose at all.
Bravo!
Sam, you can give tips about your weight loss, but she can’t? The fact of the matter is that the first few month you may not have the energy to diet and exercise. So if you are nursing you can burn a lot of calories while laying down.
Maybe you feel judged by nursing mothers, but it seems like you are also judging women you deem gained too much pregnancy weight. I had a pregnant friend that ate healthy, but got gestational diabetes and blew up. If you don’t want to be judged, don’t judge.
Jess, No, I’m not. The fact of the matter is that breastfeeding is not essential to postpartum weight loss. It worked for you for the reasons I explained above. That’s not judgment – it’s human nutrition 101.
Also, can you please point out to me where I judged women who gain weight? Sometimes, a large weight gain is unavoidable – because you’re on bed rest, you’re on meds that cause it, or because there are other factors at play. But that doesn’t change the fact that the easiest weight to lose is the weight you never gained to begin with. It sounds like you’re very sensitive about your weight gain and perhaps should stop projecting. If a woman is very conscious about her weight and strongly desires to return to her pre-pregnancy size fairly quickly, the best option for her is to control her weight carefully during pregnancy, rather than hope and rely upon nursing or any other method afterwards. We can’t all be Jessic Simpson, now can we?
Jessma needs “reading comprehension 101”.
Sensitive about my weight gain?!? I gained 25 pounds for each pregnancy and I am 5ft8. People didn’t even notice I was pregnant until the end of my second trimester. I never even bought maternity clothes.
I think you are the one that is sensitive about your choices. The fact is that for many women nursing gives them a weight loss they have never experienced before by other means.
Yes Sam, the word “gorge” doesn’t sound judgmental at all.
Kay, I graduated high school, college, and law school with honors. My reading comprehension is fine. Thanks for your concern.
Oh I am not concerned in the slightest.
Lame attempt at trying to be condescending though Jess. Yes, I am both laughing at you and judging you.
Jess – what is judgmental about it? The word is often appropriate. Many women have taken pregnancy as reason to eat in excess because they believe that breastfeeding, or some other means, will provide them with all the weight loss they need. That’s a logical fallacy – it may work, it may not. If a woman is truly concerned about returning to her pre-pregnancy shape, her best option is to studiously watch her weight from the outset.
You say that nursing results in a weight loss larger than what many women have experienced before. And where exactly did I dispute that? Nursing can create quite a substantial caloric deficit (depending upon what the mother is eating). My whole point is that isn’t anything special. The same deficit can be created through caloric restriction, upping metabolic output through exercise, or a combination of the two. That’s how I did it. And frankly, you seem to undercut yourself a bit. If you only gained 25 pounds, and most of that would have been lost through birth itself, I’d question how “substantial” your postpartum loss could actually be. See, I myself gained about the same, and I lost everything but 1 pound at the actual birth. You’re talking about what a substantial loss it gave you but then claim to have gained quite a small number – so pardon me if you seem to be a bit, uh, inconsistent there.
And if you went to law school, you’d know that the first rule of argument is to refute the arguments actually made by your opposition, which you still haven’t done.
Sam if you read my very first post I said I gained 25 pounds my first pregnancy. I supplemented with formula and lost 15 pounds. A year later I still had 10 to go, when I got pregnant again. I gained 25 pounds with my second. The second time I only nursed. I lost the 25 from the second pregnancy, the 10 pounds left over from the first, and then an additional 10 pounds. It happened so fast everyone was shocked. Also my tummy got very flat.
I agree with your calorie deficit argument. I should have just clarified that in my opinion it was the fastest and easiest way for me to lose weight. Also since I am a public sector children’s attorney, I do not have to worry about billable hours. Even without worrying about billables, pumping is terrible. I don’t judge anyone that can’t manage to nurse.
Kay, I was being sarcastic. I lost a ton of weight through nursing, judge away. Go nuts.
Jess – I can respect that it worked for you. But you’re an individual, you can’t be extrapolated out. Neither can I. My objection to the whole argument is that breastfeeding is often marketed as a “magic pill” for weight loss. And I think that’s the wrong reason to get into it. Can it work? Sure – if you can nurse robustly (a lot of moms and babies never will), don’t have any cimplicating medical issues that might screw with your metabolism, can monitor your food intake to know how much you really need, etc. That stuff takes work and time a lot of moms just don’t have. If that’s the case, moms should know that they can get the exact same results by eating well, getting some exercise, etc. No particular method of weight loss is “better” than any other. I just think it’s bad policy to try to use weight loss to “sell” breastfeeding.
Some women lose extra weight while breastfeeding. They lose the weight they gained while pregnant and then keep on losing. Ending up 10-20 lbs lighter than before they got pregnant.
I wish I were one of those bitches….
Lol, Isa. It may just be my youngest. She was such a greedy eater. She wanted to nurse 24/7 even while napping. I think she sucked the fat right off me. Even now as a toddler she is a little piggy. She tries eating off all our plates too. She is not chubby though, just loves food.
Hard to believe she is almost 50! She really does look amazing.
Every mom should breast feed, that’s just the truth of the matter. If you can’t, thank God we have other means available. It’s nothing personal.
Halle is being an idiot but I think any woman who takes the words of a celebrity too seriously is also an idiot, maybe a bigger one.
I wish I was celebrity so I could say “Hey, go shoot a bullet in yourself”. I’d like to know the number of people who did it or who at least tried after my statement.
Olivier in Revenge? How is that show still on it’s so bad?
Yes he is. I thought it was him a cpl weeks ago but wasnt sure. I never knew he was an actor. for some reason I thought he was some rich business man or something. Cant say I really paid any attention to him until he bashed in Gabriel’s face.
I have a love/hate thing with that show. I cant stand it sometimes b/c they really are just writing as they go. the story lines are so convoluted now I dont even know each characters agenda any more but that doesnt matter b/c they flim flam the lines and stories all the time. Its a total cheesy soap opera, which Im usually not into but I cant stop watching it.
Im not even getting into the nursing topic. Funny how one comment from a mother can bring out so many debates about this or that with babies/kids. glad I dont have them. I couldnt imagine having to deal with debates and judgements like this on a daily basis and it seems to happen on here every time a celeb makes a comment about what they do or dont for their kids. fun to read but glad it I dont have to worry about that stuff.
I am so tired of all the breast feeding nazis. I had a breast reduction at 22 so when I finally had my first child at 38, I didn’t produce milk. The LeLeche lunatics in Manhattan made me feel like an abusive mother because I wasn’t able to breast feed. I went into a deep depression because of these crazies made me feel like a bad mother. I do get annoyed when women who can breast feed choose not to because “it’s too much trouble,” because I really wanted to but couldn’t, but it’s really no one’s business. Plus, I think the weight loss thing is a wive’s tale used to trick women into doing it even if they might not want to.
I think sometimes, it certainly can be too much trouble. It would have been for me. I’m an attorney who works on billable time – so basically, any time I take away from working while at work – like pumping – I need to make that up. I can’t just take breaks. So when I figured it out, breastfeeding was actually going to take MORE time away from my kid than formula. A lot of women have jobs where breaks aren’t just a given. Any break you take must be made up for, and that has the result of moms actually being away from their babies longer. When I went over it in my head, that just made no sense to me. Better to just not deal with it (I did not want to have to go through the whole lactation supression thing at work either). Unless you are actively in another woman’s life, you can’t state at all what “too much trouble” is for her. Trust her to know what that is.
My daughter also had a breast reduction and for that reason chose not to breastfeed. She did not want to go through what you did. The La Leche league can be very intense and not very sympathetic when it comes to those who are having trouble or can’t breastfeed. I’m sorry you went through all that at a time when you should have been doing nothing but enjoying your baby.
Daisy I am very pro-breastfeeding, but would never shade you. People that have had reductions usually can’t nurse. About 5% of women can’t biologically nurse. Countless more can’t nurse due to medication, issues with the baby, stress, illness, anxiety, etc. Yes there are other women that simply choose not to, and that is their choice.
My concern has always been moms that want to nurse and don’t get enough support or are actively discouraged. With my first, the nurses pushed the formula so hard. They told me she would starve on only my milk. My mother-in-law use to dump out my breast milk because she said formula was better (I almost killed her). With my second I didn’t let anyone get in the way of my nursing. I still wish the hospital or my pediatrician had offered lactation support with my first.
Even today if a nursing mother dares to show her clavicle while nursing people freak out. These mom are illegally harassed, kicked out, and threatened with arrest. So I think providing support and promoting acceptance should be the goal of lactation groups, not judgement.
Weight loss is no guarantee with BF. I was down to my pre-pregnancy weight within 2 weeks of delivery. One year of BF later, I was up 30 lbs because I had to eat more because my milk kept drying up every time I ate less.
You know reading is fundamental, ladies!
She was asked a question about weight loss.
She didn’t throw anybody under the bus.. that is what works for her.
When said she “should” it was suggestive but we all know ultimately that the choice is yours.
She said along with that eating right..
Why everyone sensitive with the exception of the few…
It just isn’t the case for all women that breastfeeding makes you lose weight. This was not the case for me. It was only when I stopped breastfeeding that I was able to drop the pounds.
Thank you!! It DOES NOT work for everyone the same way. Also, it’s not a guarantee that you won’t menstruate while breast feeding.
Sorry, I’m not a mother (hopefully one day). But do your boobs really shrivel up after you breast feed?
You may lose the volume you gained because you are no longer making milk. Breast feeding alone is not what changes a woman’s breasts. You may experience similar changes if you have a baby, but never breast feed and will undoubtedly experience changes in one form or another from aging.
I have two kids, breastfed them both for over a year. My boobs have not shrivelled up. I would think it would be the same for most women unless they had some dramatic weight loss and weight gain going on before, during and after breastfeeding.
Mine are fine after nursing two babies, but everyone is different. As you can see above some people lost weight while nursing and others gained. I would suggest wearing a supportive bra day and night. I have worn a sports bra at night since high school and I think it has helped with my firmness. I also weaned my kids slowly so my boobs adjusted slowly.
Same…mine look fine and I breastfed for 15 months.
Super-personal question to the moms who breastfed: are your nipples crazy sensitive? I never felt much with nipple/boob groping/manipulation, but now I practically orgasm when my hubby plays around with them. Weird? My new normal??
Hmmm, that is interesting. My sensitivity is the same. Enjoy it while you can, in case it is temporary.
Right?! I feel like my whole body has changed!! I gave birth naturally, tore and can now have multiple orgasms (I could not before). Sorry for the very personal info, I’m just wondering if anyone else has had these experiences. Awesome, exhilarating experiences, lol.
Wow having babies was amazing for you sex life.
Breastfeeding can help with weight loss, it’s true, there’s research, blah blah, etc. However, it’s not the post partum weight loss secret for every woman. Many women, myself included, had to weight until after we stopped breastfeeding for those last few pounds to come off. I think these sort of generic, blanket statements are harmful and help perpetuate the idea that it’s OK to gain tons of weight while pregnant because it will just fall right off when you breastfeed. Congrats to Halle, but I don’t think she should be suggesting how the everywoman should live her life and care for her baby.
She’s not! She simply answered a question. Holy cow there’s a lot of touchy ppl on here.
Alot of the anger here may be because of *who* is giving the advice. Most commenters hate Halle so they hate what she has to say. If a more beloved celeb had said this, I doubt the response would be so harsh. Each woman does what works best for her. No point in getting angry because a celeb says what worked for them.
Almondjoy
+100000…You hit the nail in the head……
That’s true if Cate Blanchett said the same thing there would be no backlash. I lost 30 lbs from breastfeeding . I did not exercise at all ,not one squat. It worked for Halle, me and many women. Don’t hate because it didn’t work for you. Life is not fair .
Catherine and Kim1 I agree. Breast feeding is a beautiful thing, it works for some women, for others it doesn’t. I would never get angry at a woman for sharing her experience! Kim, I’m happy that breastfeeding worked well for you.
I’m currently breastfeeding my 6 month old- it hasn’t really helped me lose any baby weight. Kinda makes me feel like crap.
No no, it’s ok 🙂
It didn’t do a thing for me either. Please don’t feel like crap because of any post on this thread.
((hugs))
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Didn’t help me either, It’s okay, we all lose weight differently.
Glad to know I’m not alone.
Can’t wait for Jezebel to pick up on this ~mommy shaming~
I think that nowadays there’s so much pressure to breastfeed that there’s a backlash. I know that personally I did all my research and was so adamant that I would breastfeed for one year. I beat myself up after each kid was born because I have to supplement. I said I wouldn’t do it when my third kid was born. I spent the first few weeks of her life obsessing over her not gaining enough weight, worrying about my supply, and feeling like crap when I had to supplement. It’s ridiculous. My baby is happy and healthy.
I’m also one of those women that don’t lose a single lb while breastfeeding. I actually gain weight because it makes me feel like I’m starving.
Why do celebs insist they know what’s best for everyone and speak for everyone. They need to learn to speak for themselves and ONLY themselves!
Woah. Imagine if your other half said that about your job “I’m going to follow his little arc”
Here we go again! Celebs needs to STFU and keep spending money that make way too much for the kinda work they do.
From politics to health and across each and every topic, they need to keep their opinions private. Most of them don’t have much education and their life experiences have been warped by living in a world that doesn’t even come close to ours. They should be asked about their movies. Period. Anything else, we don’t care
I guess I interpreted her comment completely differently than the majority. She was asked how she lost the baby weight and responded: “Every mother should breastfeed…….”
When I went skydiving the first time I was known to say, “Everyone should try this!” when asked about my experience because it was amazing. I hope I didn’t offend those who were physically incapable of skydiving, had phobias related to heights or planes, couldn’t afford the activity, had no interest in it, etc….. I don’t know, I think her comment was in the same spirit, she was happy with the ease of the weight loss… for HER situation (which she was asked about). I think we need to stop being so nit-picky and looking to be insulted at every turn, though some people enjoy it.
For the record, breastfed all of my kids but hated it with the first one and only did it for about three weeks, did the rest for a year. This doesn’t make me better than any other mother and I do not care what feeding choice any other mother makes for her infant as long as she feeds them.
No, not every mother “should”.
I tried and tried and cried and cried. Never did make enough to satisfy my poor baby. She struggled and tried, I struggled and tried, finally, after 3 months of round the clock struggle to keep her fed, my husband looked at me crying on the couch, feeling inadequate.
He said “It’s time. I am making a bottle.” He handed me a bottle and the baby was satisfied for the first time.
So no, not everyone should. For some, it makes things more stressful than they need to be. I wish that I had spent that three months enjoying my time home with the baby, not struggling like heck to try to fill her tummy.
What bothers me is it comes off as selfish, like every mother should breast feed to lose the weight, nothing about it being for the baby, just weird to me. I know she was asked, but still!
Am I the only one who thinks her comments about her husband are incredibly condescending?
Not all mothers should breastfeed. Many women work full-time jobs and being sleep deprived because the baby has to feed every 2 hours is not best for the mom. If the mom can’t perform her job well then that has repurcussions for the entire family.
Also, I hate those hospitals that practically force women to breatfeed. Hoag in Newport Beach is an excellent example. I’m sure they save a lot of money on formula. Other such hospitals save a lot by not offering a regular nursery so mom can rest while she’s in the hospital recovering. They say mom needs to bond with the baby when the truth is that one or two nurses are out sick and they don’t have the staff.
I doubt that Halle was trying to be judgmental. She was just answering a question and it is very unlikely that she was using the word “should” in an absolute way. She was using it in the sense of a recommendation, not in a mandatory sense. 100 years ago we wouldn’t even be worrying about this. Humans are mammals and mammals breastfeed their young normally. By the 1950s, young mothers were being actively discouraged from this natural action even when they and their babies could do it. My mother was persuaded by nurses, her doctor, and her idiot mother-in-law to use formula even though she was quite capable of breastfeeding and did not have an outside job to make scheduling difficult. The rationale was basically that breastfeeding was icky… Hence the breastfeeding wars in later decades. Ironically, I would have especially benefitted from being breastfed because I’m a bundle of allergies and can get sick from just looking at someone with a cold across the street (or at least it seems that way). My immune system could have used the extra help, especially since my formula was made with cow’s milk. Guess what I’m allergic to? My mother was, too, and just flat out refused to drink the stuff once she was old enough. Regardless, she pushed the stuff on me by hiding it in foods (so I could get it past my nose), since she didn’t believe in allergies and didn’t seem to think about using calcium supplements instead.
But it has always been recognized that breastfeeding is not always possible. That’s why the Swiss pharmacist Nestlé developed formula in the first place, to help babies whose mothers couldn’t breastfeed them and no “wet nurse” was available. Sometimes the mother is dead or sick, sometimes the baby can’t do it, sometimes the mother can’t produce enough milk for a particular baby, etc. Add to those traditional reasons the more modern ones of medications in the milk that may be harmful, the mother needing to do other things that make breastfeeding very difficult or impossible, pumping problems etc.
Never pregnant.. so I’m speaking as a person on the outside of this debate. I have friends that did and those that didn’t. Looking at those friends before, during and after pregnancy. I just saw that the ones that were in pretty good shape before becoming pregnant got back in shape quicker than that friends that had a bit more weight on them before becoming pregnant. This was true for both those breastfeeding and not. The body snaps back to what it remembers IMO.
I dont’ think she is shading anyone. Just saying she thinks breastfeeding helps in dropping the weight. Many women feel the same.
I’m surprised this is so heated. I for one don’t have a strong opinion either way. Do what works for you.
While I am 100% pro breastfeeding, I understand that there are certain cases where a mother can’t breastfeed (inverted nipples, certain disease conditions etc). I believe that we should inform the mothers of all available options they have and let them decide for themselves. We should help them make informed choices. Empowerment is better than force. 🙂
Correction: Every mother should do what is right for her. Period.