breastfeeding and losing weight

enedinaalba
enedinaalba Posts: 24
in Getting Started
Hi just started yesterday. Im on a 1200 calorie diet ... I just had my baby 2 weeks ago, my husband says its too soon for me to do situps and workout that I could mess up my body though I still did yesterday and had a headache from 6pm till I fell asleep at night around 10 pm....... I dont know if it was the low calorie intake or the exercising. .. I didnt eat supper last night either....whats a good calorie spot for me to be in to help lose weight but keep milk good and strong for baby? . I need help and suppport and friends to do this journey with.... friend request me anyone!!!! Also I have a weight lose group on facebook come join!! Its called Lighten Up: Friend to Friend Weight loss Destination

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1513420815556488/
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Replies

  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    This is a question for your doctor.

    I'm 99% sure eating 1200 calories per day while breastfeeding is just plain stupid. Your priority should be the health of your child, and you're not giving him or her what she needs if you're eating that little. Get yourself together.
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    Hi, Congratulations!

    I just had my second late April. It's not too soon to do either, if you feel ready. I was in a cycling race 6 weeks post partum and trained in the weeks prior. It's whatever you can handle on the lack of sleep a newborn brings!

    Exercise and cutting calories to 1200 should not pose a threat to breastfeeding your baby . Studies have shown over and over again that women with little access to food in developing countries are still capable of producing as much nutritious milk for their babies as mothers who have access to an abundance of foods. It takes true famine/starvation to shut the system down.

    Get your hands on a copy of Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers [Nancy Mohrbacher IBCLC FILCA, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett PhD--great book for all breastfeeding mothers!

    What more often is the culprit behind poor milk supply is not feeding often enough, or supplementing early on with formula. If you want to have long term success breastfeeding your baby, the first 40 days are the most critical--feed often and by breast alone. I breastfed my first for 19 months, and am 4 months and counting with my second! Best of luck!
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    1200 is too low for most people in general. Breastfeeding requires you to have proper fuel and you won't find that at 1200 calories. Focus on your child first. Discuss calorie levels with your doctor and a lactation specialist. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you have time to lose the weight after you stop breastfeeding. Eat healthy now and worry about calories later.
  • fabnine
    fabnine Posts: 379 Member
    Your husband and LyndseyLovesToLift are right.

    We all want to lose those post baby pounds as quickly as possible, but you're not even 6 weeks postpartum yet. There are reasons we go in for that final checkup.

    Right now you have this beautiful new life to cherish. Newborns are only this tiny for such a short time. Treasure these next few weeks. Then spend the rest of your life being healthy & active with your child.

    Edit: I should clarify I'm a breastfeeding advocate. I nursed all 9 of my children. A healthy baby & a healthy body are both possible but that good milk comes from you. You eat to create it or like those sad pictures of moms in third world countries your own health suffers to create it. Wouldn't you rather have a healthy baby and a healthy you & lose weight safely? Wait to talk to your Midwife or Doctor.
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    I'd talk with a midwife or go to a La Leche League meeting before talking with your doctor. This is much more their specialty.
  • SCV34
    SCV34 Posts: 2,048 Member
    It is too low! But, if you have any concerns then you should check with your pediatrician. My kids are much older(16 &21), but I breastfed both of them, and can tell you that I didn't consume 1200 calories a day, it was more than that. What I did do was make sure I was eating enough and I exercised. The weight came off easy for me, breastfeeding and all. I ate enough to sustain myself and enough to do what I needed to do for the little one.
  • enedinaalba
    enedinaalba Posts: 24
    I think I might just bump up to 1600 calories.. but surely stay under 2000 calories and maybe not push myself when exercising just till I start hurting.... and then once 6 week is up go full ahead with exercising. ...

    I do fully breastfeed.. no bottles in this house! This is my second child my first breastfeed till 2 1/2 years old, would of gone longer but I was pregnant and milk supply vanished... thanks for the suggestions im going to do it this way and call a lactation specialist to see the correct amounts of certain vitamins I need
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    On that note, eat to hunger. If you can eat to hunger at 1200 calories (very possible, if you eat LOTS of fresh fruit, veggies, and completely unprocessed foods) all the better.

    I see no point in putting a hold on getting your body back if you can nurse successfully and eat at a calorie deficit simultaneously.
    Especially if you have weight to lose (which most of us do here on MFP) then your body has fat stores to draw from for nursing. Having the extra padding from pregnancy is nature's way of ensuring baby will have enough no matter what mom eats (or doesn't eat!)
  • seidel1325
    seidel1325 Posts: 94 Member
    Skip the ab work until at least 6 weeks...you undoubtedly have diastasis recti and it won't close /heal if you start doing ab work
    too soon
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    Exercise--Do what feels best for you. If you can do ab exercises, great. With both babies, my midwife left me with an ab workout instruction sheet for the first 6 days after labor. Not anything Sean T would do on Insanity or anything, but exercises nonetheless! Unless you've had a C-section, you can and should do ab exercises if you're able

    Sorry I've replied so much but this is a topic I'm very passionate about, as I am training to be a midwife someday!
  • melduf
    melduf Posts: 468 Member
    I breasfeeded for 9 months. I ate healthy food and I never restricted myself. I only took walks with the stroller for exercising.

    As a result, within 3 weeks I was back to my "before pregnancy weight". With 2 more months, I was 5 lbs down!

    Breastfeeding will suck all of your energy! So eat! You need it, your baby needs it.

    DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF!!!! Losing weight too fast will liberate toxin in your milk that is very bad for your baby. Please talk to your doctor!!
  • enedinaalba
    enedinaalba Posts: 24
    [/quote]
    Sorry I've replied so much but this is a topic I'm very passionate about, as I am training to be a midwife someday!
    [/quote]

    Well then ill have to tell you the great news your student brain would eat up!!!!! My son was born at home , unassisted (no midwife or medical help) ..... but heres the good part he was footling breech!!! I was in active labor for 4 hours is leg was out for 3 hours till he finally came in one big PUSH!!! The only push I gave the whole time....it was my first homebirth let alone unassisted but it was an awsome achievement!!!! And it gives me the drive to do this cus many times I felt like giving up and calling 911 cus I couldnt take the pain but I bore through it and finished something VERY few woman would be able to do....!!!!
  • fabnine
    fabnine Posts: 379 Member
    Exercise--Do what feels best for you. If you can do ab exercises, great. With both babies, my midwife left me with an ab workout instruction sheet for the first 6 days after labor. Not anything Sean T would do on Insanity or anything, but exercises nonetheless! Unless you've had a C-section, you can and should do ab exercises if you're able

    Sorry I've replied so much but this is a topic I'm very passionate about, as I am training to be a midwife someday!

    I also feel passionately about natural pregnancy, birth, & breastfeeding. It's wonderful that you are training to be a midwife. I love my midwife.

    Because you're training you must know that every woman's body is different. We all start and end our pregnancies with different levels of physical fitness. Some women are able to continue to exercise throughout their pregnancies some have complications and require bed rest. I am glad you were able to train for & compete in a cycling race 6 weeks postpartum, not all women are that fit. Some women have an easy less than 1 hour labor & delivery, can get up and you'd never believe they just gave birth. I've done this. Some women have preeclampsia, or deliver breech, or hemorrhage and require extended recovery time. I've been there too. The only person who knows if her body is ready for exercise is her midwife.

    Breast is best! Women have mammary glands for feeding babies (among other things). But without knowing the OP's height weight and general health we can only speculate as to how many calories she & her newborn need. We never want to discourage someone from nursing; especially in the first weeks after birth when the benefits are so great for both mom and baby. This just seems like a question best answered by her midwife.

    Do nurse your baby. Do be wise about your food choices. Please be proactive about your health. You've just delivered a breech baby. Your body has performed an awesome feat. Rest. Eat sensibly. Heal. Bond with your new child. Encourage your older child to bond with his/her sibling. Watch your partner fall in love with all of you all over again. Enjoy your beautiful growing family.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    On that note, eat to hunger. If you can eat to hunger at 1200 calories (very possible, if you eat LOTS of fresh fruit, veggies, and completely unprocessed foods) all the better.

    I see no point in putting a hold on getting your body back if you can nurse successfully and eat at a calorie deficit simultaneously.
    Especially if you have weight to lose (which most of us do here on MFP) then your body has fat stores to draw from for nursing. Having the extra padding from pregnancy is nature's way of ensuring baby will have enough no matter what mom eats (or doesn't eat!)

    Is it just me or do phrases like "eat to appetite" or "eat to hunger" not make any sense at all? It sounds as if the advice is to eat until you're hungry, but clearly that's not the intent.

    This is from kellymom.com: "An exclusively breastfeeding mother, on average, needs to take in 300-500 calories per day above what was needed to maintain pre-pregnancy weight." AND "While nursing, you should not consume less than 1500-1800 calories per day, and most women should stay at the high end of this range. Some mothers will require much more than this, but studies show that going below this number may put supply at risk."

    Regardless, this is still a question for your doctor, not complete strangers on the Internet that may or may not know what the hell they're talking about.
  • sinistras
    sinistras Posts: 244 Member
    "Do what is best for you" was my first line. :-)
  • veganbettie
    veganbettie Posts: 701 Member
    your baby is too young to be dieting on such low calories. wait until your baby is at least 6 weeks, and your milk supply has stabilized....

    and then don't go below 1800 calories. at all.

    eat. your baby needs you to. and your body needs you to.
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    Ditto on kellymom information and needing at least 300-500 calories in addition to where you should be. work on your BMR and TDEE and go from there. Doing the best for you AND baby

    Congratulations on your new baby.
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    don't forget, lots of water to stay hydrated
  • mialonghorn
    mialonghorn Posts: 23
    Yes, that is completely stupid and irresponsible of you. I can't believe anyone would put themselves ahead of the health and well being of their baby.
  • veganbettie
    veganbettie Posts: 701 Member
    well she isn't really putting herself above the well being of her baby....she can just really either deplete her body's resources or kill her supply.

    when you're pregnant or nursing and your'e not getting enough food your body starts to take from YOU what your baby needs. Its pretty nifty...that's why women from third world countries with little to no food can still have babies and still nurse them....because their babies are essentially sucking the life right out of them....Isn't that just like a kid?

    So in a nut shell, your baby stays healthy, but you become sick and unhealthy.....but you can totally have a healthy breastfed kid if you have a crappy diet.

    My major worry would be she is doing this WAY too soon, not too mention she can eat a hell of a lot more calories and still lose weight if she is exclusively breastfeeding.....but the first few months your body is trying to establish your milk supply, so it's important to treat it right and to really focus on nursing....focusing on losing weight should come way later.

    hell at 2 weeks post partum I think i was still bleeding! My nipples were cracked! I was barely awake!

    This is the one time in your life where you can actually eat a **** ton of food and pretty much not gain weight. Take advantage of that!!!!!!
  • briebee7
    briebee7 Posts: 224 Member
    First off congrats on the new baby!

    I completely understand the desire to lose the baby weight fast but at 2 week PP you are not doing yourself or your baby any favors by cutting your calories way back and trying to push your self with exercise.

    My midwife told me with both my births to lay off the ab work and running until my 6 week PP check-up. I was given free reign to walk as much as a I wanted. Yes, some people jump right bak into excersing but I would consult with your doctor before starting any sort of regimine. Also, at the risk of being graphic you need to pay attention to your bleedingl. If your bleeding as slowed down and picks back up it is often a sign that you have over done it in terms of working out.

    In terms of milk supple, I was always told that your body is going to take the nutrients it needs for the baby's milk first and foremost. Therefor if you are depriving yourself your body is going to be the one that suffers - fatigue, head ahces etc. Like others have posted Kellymom.com is a fantastic resource for all things breastfeeding related. I know that for me I was always starving when nursing. Heck, I am still nursing my 22 month old and still feel famished at times! Focus on taking care of your baby and yourself right now and ease into the weight lose routine.
  • briebee7
    briebee7 Posts: 224 Member
    Oops - I just read your response in regards to having your baby unassisted homebirth. So no 6 week PP visit for you! :) I did homebirth with both mine but with a midwife there with me.

    I would say stick to at least 1600 hundred calories and wait a few more weeks before doing any sort ab work or intense exercise.
  • Lyndonbearsmommy
    Lyndonbearsmommy Posts: 1,083 Member
    I agree with speaking to a lactation consultant. When I was breastfeeding and trying to lose weight, I added 500 calories to my recommended calorie intake.
  • enedinaalba
    enedinaalba Posts: 24
    Im sorry but there is no need for bashing me.. if you guys read yesterday was my FIRST day! And the reason I thought everything would be ok is because ive been up on my feet back into norma stay at home mommy duties since day6... if I was selfish I would of ignored all the warning signs yesterday and wouldn't of posted to get other opinions! I changed today to 1800 calorie diet and I feel GOOD I feel energetic! And when I say work out y only strict rutine till 6 week pp is just
    60 sec. Wall sit
    20 pushups
    40 situps (I dont even feel a strain in my abs doing)
    80 jumping jacks (but after 2 days of this my boobs cant take it so will be replacing with something else)
    20 lounges each side.......

    Thats it...
  • enedinaalba
    enedinaalba Posts: 24
    And the only thing thats sore is my legs from the wall sit cus ive never done those
  • moorec50
    moorec50 Posts: 1
    Just wanted to add that when you stop breastfeeding, you must change how many calories you consume. While that may sound obvious, it is possible to get into a routine or habit regarding when and how much you eat. I breastfed four children, losing weight very easily after each one with walking the baby in a stroller or a carrier every day. However, after that last child was weaned, I was in the habit of eating a certain way, and a certain amount of food. OOPS! While weight quickly came off after each child, the weight equally came ON when there was no more nursing, while consuming the same number of calories. In the 1970's I didn't have access to the internet, so it was a lesson I had to learn on my own.
    So while nursing, don't be afraid of the healthy calories. Just remember to adjust them after weaning.
  • jojojones4
    jojojones4 Posts: 2
    WOW!!!! Just joined and wanted to find out how to change the settings because I breastfeed my son who is four months and wanted to change the calorie settings, and I come upon this feed. I'm so disappointed to see some of you women calling this Mom stupid!!! Any question is no stupid question and you should not make anyone feel that way for reaching out to get some advice. To say these things is not showing any kind of support and that's what I thought this site is all about. At the end of the day it's her family and her BODY..... You should totally lean on the advice of your doctor and your husband but most importantly yourself girl!!! I know how we want to get right back on it, trust me I have 5 kids, so from the info out there you should intake 500 calories on top of where you would normally be or its safe to be at 1800 daily and drink tons of water. But your best fat burner is going to be breast feeding!!! Also it's a total mindset what will work for you may not work for anyone else so feel out your body it is a amazing thing that God created and it knows what it needs, when it needs it!! Have a blast with the baby and good luck
  • tiggerhammon
    tiggerhammon Posts: 2,211 Member
    1800 is supposed to be the minimum for any breastfeeding mom.

    There are physical, mental, emotional and medical reasons you are not supposed to resume exercise yet and there are very real reasons why the time frame is put at 6 weeks. Please allow yourself this time.

    That is all.
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  • angelamary61
    angelamary61 Posts: 97 Member
    I tried losing weight when I was breastfeeding (21 years ago now) and baby wasn't getting enough milk and had to bottle feed.
    You have to eat more when breastfeeding and don't do the exercises yet, let your body recover and concentrate on you and baby.

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