Low Carb and Breastfeeding?

prairieprana

Hi everyone!

So I'm a new mom (little one is 3 months) breastfeeding and now looking to lose weight (I gained about 30lbs throughout my pregnancy and now would like to start to melt it off- to my horror not only do I have stretch marks on my belly from the baby but also on my thighs, calves, buns- everywhere!!!)

From what I've read the conventional wisdom for macros in breastfeeding is to eat TONS of carbs. I'm skeptical if that's true or if it's just what we think we need to do to produce milk.

Any mamas out there eat low carb but a higher calorie-count and successfully breastfeed? How many carbs did you eat each day while breastfeeding?

Side note: Diabetes runs thick in my family so I'm not really OK with being this heavy and scarfing carbs all of the time until my little one is weaned. I also have supply issues so unfortunately I can't take a hit to my production. (Yes I've tried everything under the sun for milk production - I've been working with lactation consultants galore, doctors, lurked all across the internet for ways to increase supply so I humbly ask that we skip any "have you tried ______ to increase milk supply?")

Thanks in advance everyone!

rkammeyer

I think fiber is what you're looking for ... oatmeal, bran, veg that won't make baby gassy... my little guy is 12 weeks, and I haven't lost any extra weight since I left the hospital. I think it's because a) I have been eating too much sugar and b) I haven't exercised as much since 8 weeks due to a change in his sleep pattern.
I'm going with a high fiber, protein, and daily activity approach to see if that changes anything.
By now our supply is well established and shouldn't diminish with healthy changes.
In solidarity,
Rachel

lexiehtown

I don't have too much helpful advice here but I have a 12 week old that I EBF. From all my quick research I've read, I have to keep those carbs to keep my supply. I'm going to follow the whole 30, but simply add a potato to a couple meals. There's a great Facebook group I joined for breastfeeding whole 30 mamas. It's a great plan because it's a lot of food lol... And we all know it's a constant hunger with nursing. Good luck, Mama!