Weight Discussions During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Why black-and-white weight discussions might be harmful for pregnant & postpartum moms and their families.

Written by Cristina Luibil, MS, RD, LDN.

My career started in perinatal, infant, and child nutrition. I started working as a community nutritionist in 2011 after grad school and have always loved being a resource for families.

The only thing I did not like about this job? The focus on WEIGHT!

I have always felt ‘icky' with the thought of telling a pregnant person that they “gained too little/too much” or that their child was “not ideal” on the growth charts.

Is this type of black-and-white weight discussion during pregnancy and postpartum actually helpful, OR is it harmful?

How might it affect their body image?

How might it affect their eating patterns?

It did not feel right to bring people (who were already in a vulnerable season of life) into more distress by discussing their weight and body size in this way.

The cognitive dissonance I felt brought me to my HAES and Intuitive Eating additional areas of expertise, and this is where I have settled as a private practice owner. I am proud to offer non-diet and weight-inclusive nutrition care for ALL members of your family. My focus is always on helping, and NOT harming.

My career path has solidified my desire to continue to help those who suffer from dysfunctional eating behaviors, body image distress, and chaotic family mealtimes by AVOIDING the dysfunction and distress in the first place. Intuitive Eating starts in infancy… let's continue that path forward throughout a lifetime.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only. It may not be tailored to your specific health needs as it is written here. This content is not intended to replace personalized medical advice, nutrition counseling, or medical nutrition therapy. Any recipes or suggestions provided are meant to inspire and should be used at your discretion. Always consult with your own registered dietitian, physician, or healthcare provider before making changes to your nutrition, lifestyle, or treatment plan. If you choose, Aterra Nutrition would be happy to help you in your own, individual nutrition and intuitive eating journey.