Breastfeeding and weightloss

I was not able to EBF, but in my struggles to do so (working with doctors who specialized in the field), I learned a crapload about breastfeeding. So, if you wind up having any questions, please feel free to ask me. My littles are currently 10 months and almost-3-years.

Good luck!

I've nursed 4 babies. I remained obese after the first 3 because I kept telling myself that weight loss affected my milk supply so I would quit right away. It probably did affect my milk supply because I would cut waaay too many calories.

After baby #4, I started counting calories at 4 weeks post partum. My milk supply was well established by then. I set mfp to lose 1 pound a week and then added 500 extra calories a day to account for nursing. I weighed my food and tried to meet my protein goals every day. I was losing weight while eating a surprisingly high amount of calories! I managed to lose 90 lbs and I've been in maintenance since April, all while nursing.

I'd suggest not thinking about doing anything other than nursing and recovering until at least 6 weeks postpartum. The second growth spurt occurs about then, which is why they use that as the marker for "when your supply is established."

With both of mine, nursing plus eating healthy but not counting calories was enough for me to drop the weight. After the 2nd, who was born at nearly 10 pounds and doubled her birthweight in 6 months with no solids? I ate constantly and still dropped to my lowest adult weight - I fit back in my Jr. prom dress when that kid was 8 months old.

I very much felt the power of hormones and appetite with that one - I could actually feel my body's set point - the weight it was trying to defend. If I dropped below it, I would find myself in front of the fridge eating meat and hard boiled eggs and cheese. Once I was above it, that didn't happen. I have never felt so aware of the mechanisms in place around weight and hunger and cravings - I didn't just want food, I wanted *meat* much of the time.