Moms: anyone lost weight after weaning (from breastfeeding)

I had a very hard time losing any of the weight until I started weaning, both times I breastfed. This time around I continued to comfort feed for a lot longer and still managed to lose the weight but I would say the actual amount of milk I was producing was next to nothing, and it seemed the less milk I made the more I was able to lose the weight. Now fully weaned for over a month the lbs kind of just dropped off at random intervals not really changing much just keeping going exercising and eating at a slight deficit.
I think for me at least hormones and energy played a huge part in stress weight retention and my body didn't want to let go of the fat until I WASN'T supporting another human being with my body. While feeding exclusively I concentrated solely on working out slowly and gaining strength, more like body re-comp than weight loss. I drank lots of water and I fed my body for me and my babes and I'm sure yea stayed a bit bigger than I wanted for a bit longer than I would have liked.

I would recommend especially so early on with no solids already in your little ones diet to concentrate on eating at maintenance, maybe 200-300 calories more especially during growth spurts, drink 10-12 cups of water a day and make sure to get a good balance of carbs, fats and proteins from healthy sources. There are a lot of studies out there that specify that milk supply has a lot more to do with fluid intake and nutrients than how many calories you eat a day (and either way you want your milk to be as nutritious as possible). If you lose weight because you are burning a little more than you take in great, if not, work on gaining strength or endurance and reshaping your body at the same weight.

As far as the scale goes don't even bother, your water retention and hormones while breastfeeding simply play games with it especially if you are trying to weigh daily.

Congratulations on your little one!

I don't normally comment, but I wanted to add my story. I gained weight while nursing! (Both times) I absolutely loved nursing, but I had an insatiable appetite while doing so. The first, I stopped after 6 months, the second, I stopped after 8 or 9 months.

As soon as I stopped, the weight came off without stressing about it, as I no longer had this crazy appetite. And I actually just consciously changed over to more healthy options (more lean protein, veggies, fruit, less sugary empty carbs, and I started running) I only started counting calories when I got to a weight I was comfortable with maintaining.

My stats: 5'8" (155 before each pregnancy, gained 15 lb with first preg, 17 lb with second preg - I lost all the weight in 2 weeks after giving birth, but gained about 10 pounds during my nursing each ). I am now down to around 130-132, and have maintained for over a year now.

My advice - and take it for what it's worth - don't try to actively lose weight right now. Just focus on eating healthy, and go for walks with your little one, to get out and enjoy the day. After you're done nursing, then you can start focusing on counting calories etc. For me, I am so glad I did that, because it would have driven me crazy since I was so insatiably hungry and tired all the time.

And overall, don't get discouraged if you don't lose automatically while nursing. Some people do, but others, like myself, gained, and now I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and am more fit and thin than I was pre-pregnancy!

Good luck!

I'm not a mom, but my gf has been nursing our kids for a long time (natural weening).. I wouldn't worry about the weight while you are breastfeeding. Your body will do what it needs to do to be able to keep producing milk. You will need to eat more to make milk and that is more important that trying to lose the weight while nursing. Eat healthy and it will be "good" weight. Eat McDonalds every day and that will probably not come off easily once you stop. So just eat healthy, feed your baby, don't worry about the weight and once your baby stops nursing then go from there.

I can't comment on what happened after weaning yet, because I am just on the brink of having my first weaned baby, but I really believe the theory of the body clinging desperately onto some extra fat during breastfeeding. I am not sure exactly what it has to do with, but when I stopped taking the pill about three years ago, I went from exercising regularly and limiting calories and not being able to lose A THING, to dropping 18 lbs in 3 months, only from stopping the pill. Assuming this was due to a rise in estrogen (of my OWN estrogen), then I am hoping I will see a similar effect once my estrogen levels rise after weaning. Even though I have been breastfeeding only 2-3 times a day for the past couple months (my baby is almost 11 months old and eats lots of solids), I still haven't had my period after giving birth and am guessing the prolactin (breastfeeding hormones) have tight control over my body's ability to lose. When I was breastfeeding 2-3 times a day even, I could eat quite a lot, and NEVER gained weight. When I was exclusively breastfeeding, I was ravenous, ate and ate and ate, and never GAINED, but was also not able to lose, when I tried exercising and calorie cutting. When I introduced solids at 6 months (and I guess I reduced my breastfeeding) I managed to lose about 8 lbs, but then it plateaud again a couple weeks later.
I will post more over the next few weeks if anything happens...I really hope I see some weight loss with completely weaning.

Yes. I couldn't diet while nursing or it would effect my milk supply (which pretty much sucked anyway). I didn't get back to pre-pregnancy weight with any of my 3 children until after I quit breastfeeding.

After BF and child-led weaning 3 kids myself, I just want to tell you "great job!" And forget about your weight for now. If you feel bad about yourself, do something that makes you feel good - a pedicure, a blow-out, new makeup, maybe a new pair of shoes. Eat to your hunger, drink plenty of water, sleep, and take your youngest for long walks. You probably know this already, but your body is working hard for your baby and you should be kind to yourself now. After my youngest weaned at 18 months, I dropped 10 lbs without trying, and another 10 on here just logging consistently. Don't let it get you down, enjoy this time, it will pass...

I would say to just try to make healthy choices, learn to listen to your hunger cues (don't have to "clean your plate," but eat if you feel hungry), sleep as much as you can, and get walking. When the baby is weaned, you can restrict cals and know you aren't compromising your supply. I feel for you, I just think you should focus on being nice to yourself rather than beating yourself up!

I can relate to the painful hunger while breast feeding! Oh I was always starving. I lost ever so little while BFing. After I stopped I really picked up the pace with running and getting back in shape and counting calories and the weight came off easily. Hang in there. It doesn't last forever!

Hi! I just gave birth in August, and I am trying to lose those last pounds from pregnancy weight. I am definitely comforted to see all the encouraging comments on here, especailly those that say weaning helps, which gives me something to look forward to.

I agree that we shouldn't be looking at the scale all the time, especially right now during breastfeeding, but I know that I have a time limit for getting back into shape. I'm in the military, and I need to be at a certain weight and perform well enough to pass a physical readiness test in about 6 months, or it affects my career. So I'm using this site to track what I'm eating and what I'm doing for working out. I'm not really cutting out calories as much as trying to adjust to healthier choices. I'm taking my doctor's advice and eating to hunger, drinking to thirst. As for the working out, I may not be losing the fat as quickly as I'd like, but I can certainly feel the difference in my body as it gets stronger. I think I'm getting more definition in my arms, too, which is encouraging.

Do what feels right for you, and keep on smiling! Congratulations on your baby!

Meeeee!!!!! I breast fed my 3 children 6 months each time and lost 10lbs after weaning each one my body stored 10lbs of fat to ensure I had enough to get milk supply to feed baby (mine were all hungry)