Can't lose weight breastfeeding - hormones??

I'm glad I found this thread, I was looking for some more experiences on this.

I'm nursing my 21 month old daughter still, though we've been down to nursing only once per day before bed for the last 7 months or so. Prior to that, I was pregnant with my son straight into nursing him for 18 months straight into being pregnant with my daughter, so for 4 years and 8 months STRAIGHT w/o a single day of break I've been pregnant or nursing or both.

No matter what I do - upping calories, lowering calories, more cardio, less cardio, more lifting, Fitbit - my weight loss has been agonizingly slow. A full year of effort, less 3 or 4 ~2 week breaks, has netted me 24lbs of weight loss, despite putting in the effort for 1-2lbs of week of loss for the other 44 weeks in the year.

I think I'm finally ready to shut down the milk factory for good (even though I don't think my daughter is, lol). I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I'm wishing wishing wishing that all of my weight loss struggles have been hormonal and once I get her fully weaned the weight will start coming off, even though I'm barely nursing now so it probably couldn't have that much of an impact. What I think is more likely is that it will slow even more due to the loss of that extra ~75 calories per day I'm burning producing milk, sadly. Fingers crossed!!

I have 4 kids and have breast fed them all. I'm currently still breastfeeding my 10month old still. My first two were boys and I lost like crazy with no dieting. I ate whatever I wanted too but as soon as I weaned them my weight came back QUICK. My second two are girls and I could hardly lose anything with dieting and exercise. I think it's all hormonal. Just hang in there mamas!

I'm another who put on weight, about 10lb in total I think over 6 months of breast feeding. I just couldn't shift anything. Nothing happened for about 4 weeks after I stopped then I had my first TOM and the other side of that I was 12lb lighter. It kept going from there until I got nearer my goal and slowed again!

Hormones can be wicked things to us girls so just go with it I say, make as many healthy choices as possible now and when your done then think about actively dieting!

Hi all,

just looking for some weight, have been trying to lose weight for over a month now on 1200 calories a day plus extra 400 for breastfeeding and have been sticking to this pretty much with some exceptions. I have gone up and down a few pounds but am the same today as I was one month ago.

Looking back to my diary when I had my son it seemed to be the same and I didnt really lose any weight until I stopped breastfeeding when he was 5 months.

Is it possible that for some reason I cant lose weight while I am feeding and I am just going to have to wait until I wean my daughter around 6 months??

Thanks for any advice!!

It worked for me. I ate the 1200 plus my 600 for breastfeeding plus 200 burned exercising

I lost tons of weight - easily during breastfeeding. Sadly, when I stopped I gained it all back.

I wish someone would hand me their twins to feed - would be easier than dieting!

I lost tons of weight - easily during breastfeeding. Sadly, when I stopped I gained it all back.

I wish someone would hand me their twins to feed - would be easier than dieting!

I'm feeding twins- one all the time, the other about 50% of feeds- I've only managed to lose 7lbs in nearly 3 weeks. I've not lost anything in nearly a week!

I nursed my 2nd daughter for 2 years. Could not lose weight despite my hard training and hiring a nutritionist. Than I stopped nursing and 10 lbs appeared around my stomach! Despite my training and everything - I can not lose these extra pounds and its been over 2 months since I quit breastfeeding! I've even seen doctors and they are stumped! Most frustrating thing ever. I just keep working out and eating well in the hopes maybe my hormones will settle out and the weight will 'magically' come off. Its really frustrating.

It seems like some people can't lose weight while nursing, and some can't keep weight on while nursing. I am still struggling to lose weight but I've noticed it very slowly coming off as my son nurses less (he is 10 months now) Just eat healthy and exercise, you have all the time in the world to lose weight, only a few months-years to nurse your baby:) It seems like you could also afford to eat more, When my son was a newborn I ate more like 2000-2200 calories/day and lost a little/maintained.

have been trying to lose weight for over a month now on 1200 calories a day plus extra 400 for breastfeeding and have been sticking to this pretty much with some exceptions. I have gone up and down a few pounds but am the same today as I was one month ago.

Sounds like you've found your maintenance level: 1600 cal.
If you're 5'7" or less, 120 lb (1200 cal) is a healthy goal weight based on BMI. http://www.shapeup.org/bmi/bmi6.pdf
But if you're already at a healthy weight, losing more will be slow.
And your body getting straightened out from the pregnancy hormones won't help.

Maybe you should up you calories a bit you body might be holding on to the weight as it might be thinking it needs it due to the breastfeeding

If she's not losing weight with what she's eating now, adding calories will not make her lose weight.
Losing weight requires eating fewer calories than the body burns.

All the "crap" you are ridding your body off (sic) while losing weight also goes out through the milk

No. Burning fat produces heat, CO2, and water, plus things which stay in the body & contribute to its functioning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_metabolism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_transport_chain

I did Weightwatchers when my first baby was 6 months old (and still breastfeeding) and went from 141lb to 130lb in about ten weeks, and that was including the extra calories/points they give you for being a breastfeeding mom. But I do remember being hungrier than I have ever been in my entire life, the whole time, even though my milk supply was not affected by dieting.

I was 29 when I had my first baby, and 33 when I had number 2. This time it was a different story. I gained over 50 lb while pregnant, largely due to the family-sized bag of Tostitos I would consume each day. (I had hyperemesis and the only way I could make it through the day without throwing up constantly was to have my stomach 100% full at all times. And the only thing I could keep down was the food I really really craved... Tostitos). After my baby was born, I breastfed exclusively and slowly lost about 10-15lb over 6 months, while being careful about what I ate, walking everywhere for exercise. I did Weightwatchers again and my milk supply immediately took a massive hit, so I stopped. When the baby was weaned at 1 yr, I dieted and exercised and got down to 142lb, but have not been able to budge since until I started MFP. And that was 4 years ago.

I think everyone's body is different. It is not as easy to lose weight as you get older, that's a fact, and I think even a few years can make a difference. Also every pregnancy is different and it all depends on how fit and skinny you were going into it... I was definitely not in such good shape for my second one (show me a working mom of a toddler who is) and it made it harder to bounce back afterwards. You also have to remember that pregnancy and breastfeeding are a duet - both bodies are affected, and affect one another. Your body will respond to your baby's needs and meet those first and foremost.

All that said, I think if you are breastfeeding, it is good to track what you eat and drink, focus on lots of fruit and veg and protein and fiber, and keep processed and refined foods out of your diet. It's better for you and the baby, and sets you up to lose weight more easily when you are ready. Then all you need to do is cut your portion sizes. I also think you can and should exercise vigorously while nursing - again, it gets your muscles in shape and gets you into good habits that will pay off when you start dieting again.