breatsfeeding

khumphreys

want friends who are breastfeeding or know about weight loss while breastfeeding

khumphreys

??????

AmyFett

Isn't it kind of like still being pregnant and trying to lose weight? Kind of iffy? I was never able to breast feed my kids, so I don't know what's up about it and losing weight, but you need all the nourishment to give to your baby, low calories and such would be somewhat depriving your child IMO.

jrtcw

Hi.
Lots of information about how to do it safely (for you and baby) here
http://www.llli.org/faq/diet.html

Jane

BinaryPulsar

You can lose weight while breastfeeding. It's even easier because you use about 500 extra calories a day to make milk. As long as you eat enough and get good nutrition (and calcium) and drink lots of water and exercise, it's all good. During the pregnancy our hormones cause our bodies to store extra fat and then we burn that to use for helping us out while our bodies are making milk. You are just supposed to take the weight loss slowly. Your milk will be fine no matter what, but you don't want your body to be pulling calcium from your bones or anything like that. Most women lose all their pregnancy weight while breastfeeding. It can take nine months or less to lose the pregnancy weight (the same amount of time it took to gain it). Also you can burn a lot of calories going for walks with your baby in a sling, carrier, or pushing the stroller around.

My kids are both in school now (this September), so I've been done breastfeeding for a while, but I breastfed them both for 2 years each. Any breastfeeding moms can add me. I do know a lot about it.

charitas32

Hi, I lost weight in the first 6mnths with both my boys breastfeeding, put it back on weaning! . Am still feeding my 2yr old and it's still giving me an extra 200 kcals a day. I also like Kellymom, breastfeedoing is not as delicate a mechanism as people would have you think, after all we've only had formula for a fraction of the time we've had babies for. However, I was shocked by how much calcium it takes from your nutrition and this is the only time I have had trouble with my teeth my whole life.

I think nutrition and hydration are important or you will feel tired, or more tired ( babies make you tired(. Great gift you are giving your baby and one that will last their whole life

niknak2308

Hi Hun,
I've been breastfeeding since Oct when I joined and contrary to some of your replies it's more than ok to try to lose weight whilst doing so!
When you log your food, type in "breastfeeding" and it will come up with a lot of options you can choose from - in the early days - I'd say at least until little one starts solids - you want to add 500cals a day to make up for the milk supply. It will add a negative calorie amount which will be subtracted off your daily total. You could drop less obviously to lose more weight but then you will be reducing the calorie content of the milk which is no good for baby.
When I started my daughter on solids I went down to 400, then 300 when she was still feeding on me lots but having 3 little meals. When she started having food mainly rather than milk I dropped to 200, and at about 9/12mths I decided to stop tracking the milk allowance as she was only really feeding for liquids/comfort rather than calories.
I've just stopped feeding her last week at 21mths - never thought I'd get that far but proud, yet also pleased to have my body back lol!
Feel free to add me if you want x

emjaful

The issue with losing weight while pregnant or breast feeding as I understand it is, when you gain weight toxins are stored in your fat, when you lose weight these toxins are released into your body and if you are pregnant or breast feeding then into your baby.

I'm not exactly sure what effect these toxins have, but I was warned about it by my midwife, as I lost a lot of weight in my first trimester because of morning sickness. Lol, but then I made up for it through the rest of my pregnancy lol

It might be best to talk to a doctor if you intend to lose weight while breast feeding?