Expert: ruth kraft - 12/1/2008

Question
Hello!  My baby will be 4 months old this week and though I am technically back to my pre-pregnancy weight I am not able to put my wedding rings on yet.  Could I be holding water because I'm breastfeeding or do hands change size after pregnancy like feet sometimes do?  I don't want to have the rings resized if my hands will go down when I'm done nursing.  Silly question, but I want to wear my wedding rings again!  :-)  Thanks!

Answer
I have never heard of a woman retaining water because she is breastfeeding. You may very well be retaining water though. You might see if drinking more water and getting some extra exercise helps. I know it sounds funny to drink more when you are swollen, however, the body works in mysterious ways... :) actually drinking more water will help you flush out the excess salt that is helping you retain the water to begin with. There have to be other factors that are unknown as most nursing women don't have this problem.

I hope that helped. you may want to check with your ob or regular doctor to make sure there isn't any underlying issue going on that would cause you to retain the water as well.