Nutritional Interventions for Weight Loss in Lactating Women: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Effective postpartum weight management is essential for maternal health, yet the impact of specific nutritional strategies during lactation remains poorly defined.

This systematic review evaluated the impact of nutritional interventions on weight management among lactating women.

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Bireme/LILACS (December 2022; updated March 2026). We included clinical trials assessing nutritional interventions for weight management during the lactation period. Study quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Tool 2 and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions.

Seven clinical trials met the inclusion criteria, initiated during pregnancy (n = 1) or lactation (n = 6), with intervention durations ranging from 11 days to 12 months. Caloric restriction (deficit of 500 kcal/day) combined with macronutrient adjustment was associated with significant postpartum weight loss and improved body composition. Conversely, micronutrient supplementation alone demonstrated no effect on weight reduction. The evidence is constrained by a limited number of studies, heterogeneous intervention protocols, varying postpartum stages, and incomplete reporting, which restricts the generalizability of the findings.

While evidence remains limited, caloric restriction for durations exceeding 1 month appears to promote weight loss in lactating women without self-reported adverse effects on breastfeeding performance. However, caution is important regarding the use of caloric restriction during lactation, due to the knowledge gap concerning its impacts on the mother-infant dyad and breast milk composition.