ADVICE NEEDED: breastfeeding mamas

Syleyna

Hi all, I'm seeking advice from people who've "been there". My 2nd bubba is nearly 5 months old and is exclusively breast fed. I put on a bit more weight during pregnancy than I would have liked, but have dropped 8kg (17lb) of it already. I have just started exercising more, and keeping a closer eye on my calorie intake. I know breastfeeding women are meant to eat an extra 500 calories to help with milk supply. How much is not enough? Will I be threatening my supply if I don't eat back my exercise calories? (something I am not currently tracking as I am exercising for fitness purposes, not weight loss). Am I threatening my supply if I eat less than 1700 a day? Do I just need to accept that I'm going to be a little soft around the edges for another 6 months or so until bubba has finished feeding, then jump on that weight loss horse? Or is it something I can realistically do while providing nutrients for my baby?

After my first born I lost 16kg (34lb), but I went about it completely the wrong way and my boy ended up having to be bottle fed by 4 and a half months. I'm petrified that this will happen again.

Note: Not at all taking a bash at bottle fed babies! What works for you, works for you. No judgements.

lbpears

You might have to tinker with it a little bit to see what works for you based on the effect it has on your supply. If you are cutting too many calories, your supply will suffer. But the good news is that it won't be permanent, so if you notice a decrease or if it seems like your baby is no longer satisfied, you know you need to increase.

I would start with a very modest reduction in calories and see what happens. Good luck!

mg1123

I could not keep up with my calorie needs while breastfeeding, honestly. By the time my daughter was 9 months, I was had lost all my baby weight plus another 15 pounds. I swear, it was all breast. I never had any problems with milk supply. It was all just from walking and nursing.

I would say that yoga and pilates would be enough post-pregnancy until you are no longer breastfeeding heavily, but that's just my opinion.

sparacka

I don't know that I'm qualified to answer, for though I BF'ed both of my kids, I really never tried losing weight or counting calories while I was in the thick of it. One of the things that I liked best about BFing (along with the closeness and snuggles that were inherent to the process)was the extra calories that it afforded me. Unfortunately, I kept eating my extra 500 a day (and then some!) long after my babies stopped BFong full time.
As an active member of LLL, I believe that breast is best for all babies and I congratulate you for making this choice to get your kids off on a road to lifelong health. Though eating well & getting enough calories will certainly help avoid any supply issues, from a survival standpoint, your body is going to take what it needs to make good milk for your baby regardless. Though it can be a hard pill to swallow, our bodies post-childbirth are rarely what they were beforehand. Try to love the soft bits, knowing that they are there to supply stores for your baby. As the previous poster said, reduce your calories slowly and if you see a reduction in supply, eat a little more. Slow and steady wins the race for all of us, but especially for BFing mamas.
Best of luck to you. I know that you can reach your goals, though your timeline might need to be extended a bit.

Syleyna

Thank you so much for the advice, ladies! It is all helpful I'll be sure to keep an eye on my supply as suggested and adjust accordingly. Slow and steady wins the race!