Breaftfeeding question - am I used to it?

seesaey
seesaey Posts: 231
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Silly question but I've honestly been thinking it:

I hadn't lost any weight in about 3 weeks and today I step on the scale and it says I gained almost a pound. Frustrating! I'm wondering if I need to take out the -500 calories for breastfeeding exclusively. I've done it nonstop for 4 years now (3 kids under 4), maybe my body is just used to producing milk since I've done it so long and I'm eating too much. MFP has me on a 1500 cal diet and I burn 600-800 cals with TurboFire. I try to eat those cals back so I'm netting between 900 - 1200 calories (remember that I have a -500 calories from breastfeeding so that is a TON of food at the end of the day! Most of the times above 2000 cals without NET). I've been really trying to get to 1200 net because I hadnt been before - but the times when I wasnt netting I was losing weight!


Edited: wow, I totally messed the title up -- one handed typing!!

Replies

  • katberz
    katberz Posts: 123
    Are you sure you're eating enough? You need to have 1200 net, not 900. How old is your baby? Maybe cut it down to -250 but still make sure you eat back your calories to at least 1200 net! Depending on your baby's age, your body will stubbornly hold onto the weight if it thinks you're starving to ensure you can produce milk for your baby. Especially if you've been below 1200 net for awhile now, you could've slowed your metabolism down so much that you're at a standstill.
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    I ALWAYS gain while breastfeeding. I know many say they lose but I gain. Weightloss requires much more effort while I am nursing.
  • seesaey
    seesaey Posts: 231
    Shes 4 months, so exclusively still. The frustrating thing is that when my oldest was born I lost all the baby weight PLUS some within 6 weeks. It was great! Then # 2 and # 3 came along and my body is holding onto the weight. I guess 3 pregnancies in 4 years kinda takes a toll on your body! I'm really trying to get to 1200 net, I exercise at night so when I'm done there are times when it tells me that I should eat 750 cals back! Yikes!
  • Tiffeney
    Tiffeney Posts: 87 Member
    I would say cut back on something it seems as you are doing too much. Try it for a week and see what happen. Exercise & dieting can affect our milk . Other then that I really do not know what else to say , because breastfeeding is sooo confusing !
  • dmkaiser83
    dmkaiser83 Posts: 89
    I agree that maybe trying to get to 1200 isn't a good idea right now. your body will take care of your milk first and if that means holding onto fat stores, you may need to keep your calories higher than 1200.
    Have you spoken to your doctor about it? When I was nursing I ate when I was hungry, drank to thirst, and I lost 20lbs in a couple months. after I stopped BFing....I gained it all back plus some!
    Good luck and just listen to your body!
  • Mandam1018
    Mandam1018 Posts: 70 Member
    I never lost weight while breastfeeding either of my kids. I lowered my calories hoping I would lose some extra pounds but my milk supply started to decrease so if you are going to lower your calories, I would just watch your supply and drink plenty of fluids!
  • CrimsonWife
    CrimsonWife Posts: 56
    I'm a mom of 3 as well (though my kids are spaced farther apart). I never can lose the last 10 lbs. of baby weight until I wean. Then it melts right off with no change in diet or exercise.
  • Tiffeney
    Tiffeney Posts: 87 Member
    I sooooooooooooooooooooooooo need too wean 2 & 1/2 years in ! I fill it is coming to an end !!!
  • THISisTARRAN
    THISisTARRAN Posts: 487 Member
    I could be completely wrong and everyone says something different about eating your exercise calories, but maybe you should try eating less of your exercise calories? Try only eating half of them or something and see if that makes a difference. It could be that your heart rate monitor (or however you calculate calories) is wrong and you could be eating too much? Or another possibility that no one thinks of is maybe you are at a healthy weight and your body is plateauing and you don't need to lose more? Just a thought! Good luck :)
  • katberz
    katberz Posts: 123
    It does sound like you're not eating enough then if your baby is only 4 months. If you're not eating the extra 500 for bfing and you're not eating back your exercise cals then to be honest I would just do that, eat those extra calories for a week or so and see how it goes. Worst case is you'll maintain and maybe kick-start your metabolism again.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories