Breastfeeding and losing weight...

jamieandolly
jamieandolly Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

I exclusively pump due to medical reasons and produce about 45oz of breast milk a day (have done solidly for weeks now so pretty sure my supply is settled) I was around 154lbs when I came out of hospital and am now 138lbs and seem to be "stuck" at this weight! I was doing weight watchers (for breastfeeding mums) for a while and it worked for about 2 weeks then stopped. I did a little research and found out that the 40 points you get while bfing only equaled 1600 calories a day so figured this might be too low for a bfing mum (beforehand I was sticking to 1800. Did lose weight but think this was a lot of fluid retention from c section i had and general post pregnancy lbs that drop off after the hospital)

Anyway I don't buy into the "starvation mode" thing but I have upped calories to 2100 a day. Guessing 20 calories equals 1oz of breast milk that should take away a good 900 calories. The thing is I have been doing this for the past few days and the weight is STILL staying the same as it was! So I've altered calories from 1600 a day right up to 2100 and I am still sticking at 138lbs. I'm 5'5 so i'm not overweight but it's so frustrating. my milk supply is good and obviously I don't want to put that at risk so would like a slow and steady loss of 1lb a week. Anyone have any hints/tips what is going on?!

Replies

  • LCroft411893
    LCroft411893 Posts: 20
    Hi! I just gave birth in August, and I am also breast feeding. I've been trying to find the right balance as well. I read that 1 oz of milk burns about 10 calories, so maybe you're estimating your calories too high on that. It may be best to ask your doctor. Also, if its true that it takes a 3500 caloried deficit to lose a pound, and this is usually accomplished in a week, if you've only had a differen in diet for a few days, it may be too soon to see results.

    The hardest thing right now might be having to wait it out a week or two while your body adjusts to your new diet/ exercise plan before it takes affect. I'd recommend picking a plan of action and giving yourself 2-4 weeks to really see results. Anything that happens overnight is probably not healthy and probably won't stick.

    Congratualtions on your baby, and wishing you the best of luck!
  • galprincess
    galprincess Posts: 683 Member
    Ladies ive breast fed my 3 babies and last one is 19 months old almost and i look pretty good. Don't put pressure on yourselves youre doing a beautiful and natural thing and if you cut calories milk production slows and tastes yuk for baby i learnt this after 1st baby had to give up at 6 months. enjoy it bond and when you finished and weaning then it falls off in my experience congrats on your baby

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