Breastfeeding and running

madina62

Are there any moms that are or have breastfed while running? I'm currently exclusively breastfeeding twins and just beginning to run again. Have you noticed that working out effects your supply and if so, how do you maintain it? I'm not trying to lose weight and plan on eating extra calories to compensate for the breastfeeding and working out. If anyone has suggestions of healthy high calorie snacks as well that would be great as I'm struggling to make sure I'm eating enough healthy foods and find myself eating more junk than usual just to eat extra calories. Thanks for your feedback!!

3dogsrunning

Can't answer the breast feeding part.

However - take a look at the foods you are eating - do you use low fat/low calorie versions? I find a lot of people with this comaont are eating low fat yogurt, skim milk, Etc. If so switched them out for full fat.
Other options are adding nuts and nut butters and avocado - nutrient dense and calorie dense.
Adding olive oil can also bump up calories.
You can also try different cuts of meat that aren't as lean and eat salmon instead of white fish.

Healthy doesn't necessary mean low calorie but a lot of people tend to lean that way when dieting. And having treats to meet your calorie goal isn't a bad thing, especially if the rest of your food is nutrient dense.

NoAdditives

I'm pumping 60oz a day and I have found that my milk production is directly affected by how much I eat and drink. My baby is only 6 weeks old, so I haven't had a chance to start exercising much yet. All I can suggest is that you try it and see what happens. Make sure you eat to compensate for the calories you burn and drink more water. You'll know right away whether or not the exercise is something your body will tolerate at this point.

Care76

I do not run but I do other cardio and I am breastfeeding. I am trying to lose weight though, but I have to eat back my exercise calories and eat more than usual to keep up milk supply. I have supply issues though from bad latch. I eat lots of nut butters, oils, and butter to up my calories.

madina62

Wow how do you pump 60 oz a day!! I'm happy when I find the time to pump 6 oz!!

NoAdditives

Wow how do you pump 60 oz a day!! I'm happy when I find the time to pump 6 oz!!

I'm exclusively pumping because my baby has a posterior tongue tie and I didn't want to get it clipped. I had to pump with my last baby as well, who had an overly strong tongue thrust reflex. I developed an over supply quickly last time from pumping every two hours. Eventually I was up to 60oz. This time it only took me a week and a half to get to that point. It's just what happens to me, I don't really understand how or why. With my first baby I had almost no milk at all.

CathOh

I nursed my daughter for a pretty long time by most people's standards (about 29 months) and ran from the time she was about 4 months old. As long as you are eating enough calories and drinking plenty, it shouldn't be an issue.

(Just realized I didn't answer the question you asked... just wanted to reassure you that it can be done, and good on you for having energy to work out while nursing and carrying for twins. Way to go, mama!)

mrsdwp

Yes it's possible. I breastfed my daughter for a year and ran a marathon when she was 6 months, so I was training that whole time. As long as you stay hydrated and eat enough calories, supply shouldn't be an issue. Good high calorie foods to eat would be nuts, nut butters, avacado, dried fruit, granola, cheese, quinoa. Good luck!

Collier78

I started running when my daughter was 6 weeks old. She is now 6 months and I have found that even with eating the calories back, upping my nutrient dense foods, and drinking tons of water my supply has suffered a bit. We are currently supplementing half and half with formula :-(. However, I am continuing to increase the amount of nutrient dense foods, I've found that I love avocado with egg, and my supply is increasing again and I'm still losing weight. So I think it is a matter of balance, I just haven't found the right balance for me yet.