Can depression bring on weight gain? I think I am depressed after I had my baby and I haven't lossed a pound since I had her. I want to eat a lot. I don't try to coat my feelings with food... I just find that I'm just hungry during meal times and I eat a lot of food.

TIA,
Nikki66rqs

Yes, depression can cause weight gain. It can also cause weight loss in some.

You say you may be depressed after the birth of your baby. You should make an appointment with your physician to discuss this. It could be hormonal in nature also. Your doc will be able to guide you in the right direction.

Are you breastfeeding your baby? If so, you will be hungry and need to eat more~ Talk to your Dr. can't emphasize that enough! Good Luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nikki66rqs

Can depression bring on weight gain? I think I am depressed after I had my baby and I haven't lossed a pound since I had her. I want to eat alot. I don't try to coat my feelings with food... I just find that I'm just hungry during meal times and I eat alot of food.

TIA,
Nikki66rqs

---

Hey having a baby is a lot of work, and it's just beginning, After having all mine I was always starving, I ate as I was hungry. Right now don't concentrate so much on your weight, just re-adjust what you eat, eat more full grains, veggies and fruits, lean meats, take skin or turkey and chicken, use peanut or olive oil to cook, cut out Fried foods and fast food stops for awhile. If you drink colas, drink diet or calorie free types,
Try not to eat processed meats, (hot dogs, lunch meats), start reading labels, and watch salt intake. Your baby needs a healthy mom, this low:) time will go away, your lacking sleep and this is a new undertaking, Motherhood is a full time job, you'll be fine, keep working on it, OK...

Any form of stress can lead to increased levels of cortisol. In the long term, such elevated levels of cortisol can have wide ranging effects on health including weight gain, and a possible causative link to depression. Though, as depression itself is inherently stressful, this in and of itself could theoretically serve to perpetuate the cycle:

http://depression.about.com/od/causes/f/cortisol.htm

Breastfeeding actually will cause you to have a big appetite and actually drink lots of liquids. You lose lots of caleries by breast feeding and in order to keep up with what you need and the baby needs you need to eat certain foods that will deliver the needed supply. Also after having a baby. Depression or baby blues are coming or it could just be simply that your exshosted and tired, and frustrated and upset but this is all normal at times while taking care of the new baby. If there are more serious reasons you think your depressed you do need to speak to gyno, ob.

Joe