Breastfeeding and Low Carb

tabbsndj
tabbsndj Posts: 2 Member
edited November 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Are there any other mommy's out there who exclusively breast feed and are trying to lose weight with a low cad/high fat diet? I need advice. I feel like my supply isn't what it used to be but I want to continue losing weight because I am overweight. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Replies

  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    My supply tanked when I went LCHF and I wound up weaning a few months later.
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    Breastfeeding itself creates a good deficit. Eat well at maintenance and let breastfeeding create the deficit.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I would go careful. Lowering carbs lowers insulin, and insulin plays a large role in how much water and electrolytes your kidneys excrete. Lower carbs can mean you urinate out a lot of water and sodium, which could lead to dehydration and possibly affect your supply.

    If going LCHF, I would go slowly and make sure you increase sodium to at least 3000-5000 mg a day. (2300 mg sodium = 1 tsp salt) I would also make a point to drink more water AND not cut calories by much. Too low of calories will affect your supply too.

    So basically I would say to consider lowering carbs slowly while increasing sodium intake (couple cups boullion or just eat extra salt with a water chaser) and water intake. I would also keep your calorie deficit on the small side.

    Good luck!
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited July 2018
    Are you set to what would be your non-breastfeeding maintenance, or at a deficit? If you are at a deficit, the problem is possibly that you aren't eating enough calories. I believe exclusively breastfeeding can burn as much as 500 calories a day, so you don't need an additional deficit.

    I'll add that while many find LCHF helps them eat less, it is not required for weight loss. I don't have any personal experience to know whether macros affect breastfeeding. Can you ask your doctor?
  • DomesticKat
    DomesticKat Posts: 565 Member
    At minimum, you should be eating at least at maintenance for your current weight if you're exclusively breastfeeding. You should not have your account set towards a deficit. Breastfeeding creates a big deficit, 500+ calories, so it's in your best interest to eat more if you aren't currently doing so. I know of no reputable source that endorses keto while breastfeeding and there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether it is safe or not. For that reason, I would advise against it for the purposes of weight loss.
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    edited July 2018
    Low carb, in particular keto, generally is not recommended for breast feeding mums. There really has not been enough long term studies done on how it affects breast milk. If it is decreasing your milk supplies that is an indication that now is not the time to reduce carbs significantly.
  • tabbsndj
    tabbsndj Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you all so much for your responses. I go to the doctor tomorrow so I am going to talk to her about other suggestions for weight loss because I really want to be able to continue breastfeeding and not worrying if my baby is getting enough. You all have been so helpful.
  • DomesticKat
    DomesticKat Posts: 565 Member
    tabbsndj wrote: »
    Thank you all so much for your responses. I go to the doctor tomorrow so I am going to talk to her about other suggestions for weight loss because I really want to be able to continue breastfeeding and not worrying if my baby is getting enough. You all have been so helpful.

    You don't need a special diet to lose weight. Has your doctor not told you that breastfeeding uses a lot of calories? Did you not read the information that was provided above? You can eat a wide variety of whatever makes you feel happy, energized and satiated. Track your food consistently and accurately in MFP (a food scale helps) and eat at least at maintenance, if not above depending on how much you have to lose. Breastfeeding will create a deficit and you will lose weight. The laws of thermodynamics require it.
  • EmbeeKay
    EmbeeKay Posts: 249 Member
    Another voice of caution - I tried keto/LCHF while exclusively nursing by #2. My baby was a sweetheart and never complained, so I had no idea he wasn't getting enough. (I have exclusively breastfed three other babies successfully, so it was not my supply that was problematic.) He continued to trend down in percentile growth until the pediatrician became concerned. Even after stopping keto, my supply never recovered and I had to wean and switch to formula. I still believe that his growth was stunted by my failure to nourish him sufficiently.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    I would also caution against low carb while breastfeeding especially if you are already having supply issues.

    This is what KellyMom has to say about it

    https://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-lowcarb/
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    edited July 2018
    All,

    Please remember to keep this thread focused on the questions of the op and remain respectful towards one another. If you wish to get into the nitty gritty and debate low carb/keto while breastfeeding please see this thread:
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10685380/keto-or-low-carb-and-breastfeeding/p1?new=1

    Thanks for your cooperation,
    4legs
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