Postpartum weight retention is a short- and long-term risk factor for overweight and obesity in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary patterns and their effects on postpartum weight retention among lactating women in south central China.The study included 305 lactating women. A 24-h recall method on 3 consecutive d was used to collect dietary information. Furthermore, principal component analysis was performed to explore the main dietary patterns. The association between the postpartum weight retention and dietary patterns was assessed using a general linear regression model.Two food patterns were obtained. Lactating women with dietary pattern 1 mainly ate red meat, coarse cereals, and fresh vegetables (leafy). Those with dietary pattern 2 mainly ate fresh vegetables (non-leafy), soy milk, and bacteria and algae. The mean energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes of the highest quartile (Q4) of both patterns exceeded the Chinese Recommended Nutrient Intake, whereas the calcium, selenium, vitamin A, B, and C nutrient intakes in the highest quartile (Q4) of both patterns were lower than recommended. Dietary pattern 2 (B = -0.523, 95% confidence interval, -0.948 to -0.099) was negatively associated with postpartum weight retention.This study identified two dietary patterns among lactating women in south central China. A diet characterized by high intake of fresh vegetables (non-leafy), soy milk, and bacteria and algae was negatively associated with postpartum weight retention.