Exercising & Milk Production
By Lisa Stone, ACE

Q. I began a Cardio Kickboxing class about a month ago, and I heard somewhere that exercising can decrease a mother's milk supply. Is this true? Does it matter how often and how long a workout?

A. Extreme exercise without proper hydration *can* decrease your milk supply, but a 45-minute kickboxing class shouldn't affect you as long as you're drinking LOTS of water before, during, and after your workout. A good rule of thumb is to take a big swig of water every 10-15 minutes while exercising.

If your baby seems to be rejecting the breast after you workout, it could be due to sweat. Just towel off with a clean, damp towel real well before breastfeeding.