Breastfeeding & Trying to Loose Weight

I am no longer breastfeeding since my youngest is 4 but I'm a huge fan of it...even though it made for some of the most challenging months of my life it's been one of the best things I've done as a parent. Both of my children breastfed exclusively the first 6 months (my first I never tried a bottle and my second wouldn't take it and I didn't push it that much). They both continued to breastfed until they self-weaned around 2 but of course as they got older they had more and more foods and relied on me less and less (in the final year i think it was more for comfort at bedtime or when they were sick). My 10 year old has had one fever her entire life. Neither kid has ever had an ear infection, flu or major cold. They have only ever been to the doctor for their yearly check-up. I don't claim that is all from breastfeeding but I'm thinking it had to have helped!

Anyway, you just had your baby, give yourself some time. I know this is your 4th so you are more of a pro at this then I can ever imagine but remember that with 4 you know have the newborn, the other three AND yourself!!!

When I breastfed I did struggle to lose weight...all the way till they weaned and then the weight started coming off. However, my doctor said I may have had a thyroid problem and it was out of whack post-partum PLUS I suffered post partum depression and was on zoloft - same say that attributes to weight gain some not but I know when I was on it I struggled.

Anyway, I know it's not rock hard advice here - just someone saying congrats on giving your baby this gift and don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a few workouts for a good nap Drink drink drink and rest rest rest.

I personally added 500 calories to the daily calories that was given to me at the time (at the time I did fitday.com as I didn't know of this site or maybe it wasn't even created yet?). So for me I was suppose to have 1800 and I consumed 2300 -- at least the first 6 months. You can play around with that. If you are drinking your fluids & resting you don't have to worry about not eating enough (unless you are being crazy and really cutting it).

So you could try whatever MFP recommends + 500? I'd also try to eat some of your exercise calories and really focus on making every bite count because you need the nutrition!

If you'd ever like, feel free to add me - I'm no expert but I've done a lot of work helping breastfeeding mothers and learned quite a bit.

Congrats on your newest baby With 4 you must be a busy mama!

I too am still breastfeeding , but she is 2 years yes I no she is to old to be still nursing , but you have not heard her cry I am hoping she weans soon ! Anyway there is no way I can deduct 500 cl do to she does not nurse that much maybe 3-4 times for about 10 minutes at the most. Really I am tired of guessing how many calories she is getting so I only give my self 50 extra calories a day and that seemed to work .

she is not to old to nurse! Good for you, She will let you know when she is done My daughter is going on 16 months and we are still going strong. I have been ready to be done, but she has a diff agenda and I am ok with it. I do not count bf'ing myself, I did at the begging but I just dont now b/c I have no idea how much she actually gets since the majority of the time she nurses in the middle of the night ( my own fault, I jsut have deal with it) If i Had to guess I would sayshe might get 12-18 oz from me.

I just had baby #4 on the 1st of October and am exclusively breastfeeding him. I have to fit in workouts between when he will be nursing, like when hubby gets home I nurse him then change and rush off to the gym for a workout before he will want to nurse again. He has taken a bottle or two but doesn't really like them & that requires me to pump which I'll be honest I hate to take the time to do. Supposibly breastfeeding helps burn calories but I just don't know how much I believe that, cause I don't think I've ever really seen it to much!
I am just looking to see if there are any other breastfeeding moms out there who are trying to get the baby weight (or more) off. Have you adjusted your calories to include a little more for the nursing? Do you count breastfeeding in your exercise?

There is a book on Amazon.com called "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding". I can't remember the author, but my caregivers daughter used the tips in this book to lose her baby weight while nursing her first baby. You might also consider doing baby and mom yoga, which can help you lose weight and can even be fun for your baby.