Breastfeeding and weightloss

kasia_w

I'll be there soon! I have about 5 weeks to go till my little girl here. I'm really anxious to get back to my pre baby weight, stay healthy and NOT compromise breast milk supply since I want to EBF. I'd love to find mommy's who are currently doing it, who have done it or who hope to after their Littles are born too. I feel it will keep us accountable and I think we could all learn from each other too.

SusanMFindlay

I was not able to EBF, but in my struggles to do so (working with doctors who specialized in the field), I learned a crapload about breastfeeding. So, if you wind up having any questions, please feel free to ask me. My littles are currently 10 months and almost-3-years.

Good luck!

jennb2096

You should really wait to start until your breast milk supply is fully established. I just started at 10 months postpartum. I could have done it sooner but breastfeeding made me hungrier than being pregnant. I have more weight than just baby weight to lose. I noticed my supply dipped a little after the first two weeks so I increased my calories.

victoria_1024

I've nursed 4 babies. I remained obese after the first 3 because I kept telling myself that weight loss affected my milk supply so I would quit right away. It probably did affect my milk supply because I would cut waaay too many calories.

After baby #4, I started counting calories at 4 weeks post partum. My milk supply was well established by then. I set mfp to lose 1 pound a week and then added 500 extra calories a day to account for nursing. I weighed my food and tried to meet my protein goals every day. I was losing weight while eating a surprisingly high amount of calories! I managed to lose 90 lbs and I've been in maintenance since April, all while nursing.

DancingMoosie

My sister just finished nursing her 1st and is about to have her second! She lost weight right away, not counting calories, just nursing and staying active. She hasn't gained as much this time around. She does a class called "stroller strides" by Fit4Mom. Check to see if you have one in your area. They have a class for the first 6 mos, too.

savithny

I'd suggest not thinking about doing anything other than nursing and recovering until at least 6 weeks postpartum. The second growth spurt occurs about then, which is why they use that as the marker for "when your supply is established."

With both of mine, nursing plus eating healthy but not counting calories was enough for me to drop the weight. After the 2nd, who was born at nearly 10 pounds and doubled her birthweight in 6 months with no solids? I ate constantly and still dropped to my lowest adult weight - I fit back in my Jr. prom dress when that kid was 8 months old.

I very much felt the power of hormones and appetite with that one - I could actually feel my body's set point - the weight it was trying to defend. If I dropped below it, I would find myself in front of the fridge eating meat and hard boiled eggs and cheese. Once I was above it, that didn't happen. I have never felt so aware of the mechanisms in place around weight and hunger and cravings - I didn't just want food, I wanted *meat* much of the time.

sardelsa

I'd also recommend not focusing too much on weightloss after giving birth. The recovery, transition to motherhood, lack of sleep, all while trying to breastfeed.. it is not easy to give yourself lots of time to adjust. For me nursing takes a lot out of me and I have to be sure to eat constantly or I lose too quickly. This may not be the case for you though.