Table 2.

Health benefits during postpartum by country-specific guidelines

Characteristics of guidelines	Australia	Canada	Norway	United Kingdom	United States (ACOG)	United States (USDHHS)
Stated Health Benefits:
Improved mental health or mood	yes			yes		yes
Improved emotional well-being	yes
Weight loss and/or maintenance				yes		yes
Cardiorespiratory fitness	yes			yes		yes
Reduce postpartum depression	yes			yes	yes
Reduce anxiety				yes
Activities that will not affect breast milk volume, breast milk composition, or infant growth:
Sporting activities	yes*
Moderate exercise		yes		yes
Moderate physical activity						yes
Moderate to vigorous physical activity			yes

^*As long as there is appropriate food and fluid intake.