Anyone trying to lose weight while still breast feeding?

livlovra

I am and the weight is just not coming off! My wee man is 10 weeks and a really hungry man (already 17lbs) but in the last 2 weeks I have been on here i have been pretty good, not eating the junk but not too few cals either (recommended to have 500 extra a day so I have added this in) but I haven't lost any weight and more worryingly he hasn't put on any in last 2 weeks. Humm... Anyone else going through this, I would love to hear from you or any advice welcome.

BastaConLaPasta

hi there, I'm not breastfeeding any more but have 3 kids aged 4, 3 and 21 months, and I fed them all up to 1 year.

I found that weight did not start to come off until I dropped feeds/ started weaning/ baby wanting food less regularly. My midwife told me this was common and that it's a myth that breastfeeding helps you to lose weight - it can do, but by the same token there are lots of other women, like me, whose bodies will hang on to fat stores in order to adequately produce quality milk and nourish the baby.

I found that restricting carb intake did help with losing the weight although when I restricted too much it was very obvious that it affected the quality of my milk - baby was more wakeful and much hungrier.

So instead I focused on carb curfew (no carbs after 2pm, and only ever had things like oats and carby fruits like bananas, not things like pasta or bread) and making sure that I had a serve of good fats every day - avocado and nuts were the usual. The weight started to come off and the final few pounds came off easily by the time baby was only feeding once or twice a day. Hope this helps!

alyssa92982

Same here. I really didn't start losing until baby was like 2 1/2-3 mos old then it came off slow like a pound every couple weeks. My supply went down because I restricted calories to 1300 and 1500. Ate healthy formost part and did the 30 day shred

catcrazy

Its different for everyone...I didn't even try but all my pregnancy weight had gone by my 6 week check and that I believe was down to breastfeeding. If you think your milk supply is suffering up your fluids and try adding another 100 calories on...weight loss can wait. How many calories are you on?

Amberlin

I am still nursing and my son is almost 15 months. Mind you it is only in the mornings and at night, and he eats three meals and two snacks a day so it certainly isn't his main form of nutrition. I stared trying to get active around the 12 week post partum point. I think at that point I was ready to get up and move around a little more and I started watching what I ate. A lot of healthy choices and less caffein type foods ( chocolate, coffee, tea)

I think you really need to listen to your body and pay attention to the effects of your breast feeding. If your milksuppy has dropped already, you should up your calories. While your baby is so young, it is vital to be offering a stable form of nutrition for both of you.

The weight will come off. Right now you are still trying to establish a breast feeding relationship. Your body is still recovering and needs to be well nourished to do so. Give yourself a little room. Remember what is best for your baby is best for you.

Try to get out for walks, go swimming...light activity will help boost your metabolism.

I was 235 lbs after giving birth, and am now down to 182 and working my way to a healthy 145lbs.

Good luck on your journey,congrats on the newest addition! Feel free to add me!

cassondraragan

I personally could never lose while breastfeeding. And when I cut back on calories, my milk supply diminished. I always gained while BF. My first I gained 10 lbs, and with my second I gained about 20 lb. Not trying to discourage you though, because everyone is different. my friend lost 30 lbs while BF. Maybe increase activity? Not sure...

tummymummy

Hi, with all 3 of my kids I lost the actual pregnancy weight easy enough in the first few weeks of BF but didnt lose any more til after 6 month mark. Granted I didnt really try til each one was 6 months but did feel like my body retained any fat in those first few months. So long as you ensure lots of liquid intake to keep up your supply and keep moving your body will start reacting. My youngest is now almost 12 months and only feeds once at night and in the morning so dont note the BF calories anymore but Im pretty sure it still helps allow me the cheeky weekend pizza or squares of chocolate
Stick at it and good luck - remember its early days with your bubba so make sure you are eating/drinking plenty for your supply and your energy x

JennsRAQ

I tried calorie counting to lose weight when my son was about 10 months old and he actually had an unusually sharp decline in weight gain/growth that correlated with it. I also noticed my milk supply dropping rapidly. My son never really ate lots of solids at this point and I know it had a huge impact on it. I decided to wait on the weight loss for his benefit. I can handle a couple more months of being fat to make sure that he gets enough!
He is 21 months now and I'm trying again and having GREAT success. Since he's older (yes, we're still nursing), he gets calories from other sources and he is hardly noticing a difference, nor am I, in our breastfeeding relationship, quantity of milk, etc.

Your little one is still awfully young! I would honestly focus more on making sure baby is getting plenty rather than losing weight at the moment.

Diet-wise, there are supplements and such you can take to increase your milk supply such as eating oatmeal, adding Brewer's yeast to salads, making lactation cookies with it, etc.... adding flax to foods, taking fenugreek, or drinking nursing mother's tea. However, if you aren't eating enough calories, then you could both suffer from it!

I say take it easy and make sure you're getting enough. I agree with getting moving with walking or other gentle activities in the time being. Good luck!!!

maddymama

Hi Mama,
Your baby is still so tiny, your first responsibility is to make sure your breastfeeding relationship gets off to a great start. Your body is still recovering from giving birth, and your body is still learning how to produce enough milk to satisfy your baby. The weight will come off in time, but focus on yourself and your baby right now.
There is a great book, referenced in the link, that discusses how to loose weight safely while breastfeeding.
http://www.llli.org/faq/diet.html

manda2j

I would continue to watch what you're eating... not cutting back to try and lose weight... and then add in regular exercise, nothing more strenuous than usual... a good time to start cutting back cals, and adding in the rigorous exercise would be when baby is about 4 1/2 months...

livlovra

Thanks for all the messages and support. I have decided to give myself a bit of a break and not worry too much about losing the weight just yet but am doing some more exercise. Even so i never cut right back on the calories and made sure I was never under 1800. Still its hard adjusting to this body - it doesn't look like MINE! and I'm not even pregnant (still look it tho) and it really is a kick in the teeth when people ask, "when's it due?"