Losing weight while breastfeeding?

I lost about 10 lbs when my daughter was born, and then immediately gained another 5. That stuck with me all during breastfeeding. I tried now and then to decrease my calories, but I was SO hungry, so I stopped worrying about that.

When I stopped, I lost about 10 right away, but everything else was weight I had gained due to extra calories.

Your body is likely holding onto the lbs during breastfeeding.

Congratulations for breastfeeding your twins! I have twins too, they’re 3 years old and I’ve finally lost the pregnancy weight. Sorry that doesn’t sound too positive, but looking after twins is really hard work and I didn’t even think about my diet until a few months ago.

I’ve just finished breastfeeding, though for the last few months they were only feeding once per day. I was very hungry when they fed more, which is one of the reasons I didn’t pay much attention to losing weight. I lost the weight while feeding once a day.

After my first pregnancy (one baby, not twins) I lost all the weight except 7lbs. That disappeared on it’s own when I stopped breastfeeding 2.5 years later.

I would say set your calorie goal fairly high, maybe try to lose half a pound a week so you still have enough energy to look after your toddlers. Now that you have a well established milk supply I don’t think it will be affected by reducing calories, but your energy levels could be. Good luck!

I lost all my weight while breastfeeding. It can be done, but every person's body is different. Many report being able to lose some weight, but not the last ~15lbs, which magically falls off when they stop breastfeeding.

I lost enough weight to get into a healthy BMI range rather quickly and easily, 35lbs in 6 months, started when LO was 6 months. I lost the last 10-15lbs very slowly over a full year. I have yet to stop breastfeeding (LO just turned 2, I plan to breastfeed another year at least), so I haven't any idea what it will do to my body.

mrsabror90 wrote: »

So, I had always heard that breastfeeding can help you easily drop weight post-partum. I assumed since I'm breastfeeding twins it would be even easier. My twins turn one on September 10th, and while I'm not at my highest weight, I'm still a good 20lbs higher than right before I got pregnant. I did lose roughly 40 pounds immediately after giving birth, but went back up 20 over the course of the year. Honestly I haven't focused on my diet like I should've this year, but even when I'm really trying I find myself ravenous and snacking all day. Anyone experience this? With them being a year old I'm less concerned about my diet effecting my milk supply, but man, I can't seem to stop eating. I lost about 30 pounds over six months when we were trying to conceive, and although it wasn't easy, it was doable, but this time around it just seems 10x harder. Maybe it's because I'm almost 30 as well. I don't know.

If you were to eat as you ate pre-pregnancy, yes you would have lost a lot of weight . The "problem" is that a lot of women assume they have to eat a lot more than they need to not affect their supply, or that breastfeeding means you can eat whenever hungry, without paying any attention to what you eat.
The good news are there is absolutely no reason you cannot restrict calories within reason while breastfeeding. If e.g. your maintenance without breastfeeding was 1900 calories, you could just eat that, and lose weight. The bad news are that when you stop breastfeeding you usually still feel hungry for a while, which is when many women gain back a good amount of what they lost while breastfeeding, so do not invest your hopes into "the weight will fall off when I stop", because chances are the opposite will happen.
Set MFP to lose what is a reasonable amount, with a reasonable rate, and either add about 300-500 calories for breastfeeding, but make sure to stay on a deficit, or eat at maintenance, do not log breastfeeding, and let it create the deficit for you.
If, as you say, you are very obese, try to log what you eat and see how you can make smarter choices, to not feel hungry constantly, because this will take a while, so starving for a few weeks or months will not get you anywhere. See where the bulk of your calories are coming from, and then work on changing this. Is it too many meals, too many sugary drinks, too much sauce, too large portions, too calorie dense food, snacking when stressed? Once you identify what is the main problem, it will be easier to have a plan.

mrsabror90 wrote: »

LKArgh wrote: »

mrsabror90 wrote: »

So, I had always heard that breastfeeding can help you easily drop weight post-partum. I assumed since I'm breastfeeding twins it would be even easier. My twins turn one on September 10th, and while I'm not at my highest weight, I'm still a good 20lbs higher than right before I got pregnant. I did lose roughly 40 pounds immediately after giving birth, but went back up 20 over the course of the year. Honestly I haven't focused on my diet like I should've this year, but even when I'm really trying I find myself ravenous and snacking all day. Anyone experience this? With them being a year old I'm less concerned about my diet effecting my milk supply, but man, I can't seem to stop eating. I lost about 30 pounds over six months when we were trying to conceive, and although it wasn't easy, it was doable, but this time around it just seems 10x harder. Maybe it's because I'm almost 30 as well. I don't know.

If you were to eat as you ate pre-pregnancy, yes you would have lost a lot of weight . The "problem" is that a lot of women assume they have to eat a lot more than they need to not affect their supply, or that breastfeeding means you can eat whenever hungry, without paying any attention to what you eat.
The good news are there is absolutely no reason you cannot restrict calories within reason while breastfeeding. If e.g. your maintenance without breastfeeding was 1900 calories, you could just eat that, and lose weight. The bad news are that when you stop breastfeeding you usually still feel hungry for a while, which is when many women gain back a good amount of what they lost while breastfeeding, so do not invest your hopes into "the weight will fall off when I stop", because chances are the opposite will happen.
Set MFP to lose what is a reasonable amount, with a reasonable rate, and either add about 300-500 calories for breastfeeding, but make sure to stay on a deficit, or eat at maintenance, do not log breastfeeding, and let it create the deficit for you.
If, as you say, you are very obese, try to log what you eat and see how you can make smarter choices, to not feel hungry constantly, because this will take a while, so starving for a few weeks or months will not get you anywhere. See where the bulk of your calories are coming from, and then work on changing this. Is it too many meals, too many sugary drinks, too much sauce, too large portions, too calorie dense food, snacking when stressed? Once you identify what is the main problem, it will be easier to have a plan.

LKArgh wrote: »

mrsabror90 wrote: »

So, I had always heard that breastfeeding can help you easily drop weight post-partum. I assumed since I'm breastfeeding twins it would be even easier. My twins turn one on September 10th, and while I'm not at my highest weight, I'm still a good 20lbs higher than right before I got pregnant. I did lose roughly 40 pounds immediately after giving birth, but went back up 20 over the course of the year. Honestly I haven't focused on my diet like I should've this year, but even when I'm really trying I find myself ravenous and snacking all day. Anyone experience this? With them being a year old I'm less concerned about my diet effecting my milk supply, but man, I can't seem to stop eating. I lost about 30 pounds over six months when we were trying to conceive, and although it wasn't easy, it was doable, but this time around it just seems 10x harder. Maybe it's because I'm almost 30 as well. I don't know.

If you were to eat as you ate pre-pregnancy, yes you would have lost a lot of weight . The "problem" is that a lot of women assume they have to eat a lot more than they need to not affect their supply, or that breastfeeding means you can eat whenever hungry, without paying any attention to what you eat.
The good news are there is absolutely no reason you cannot restrict calories within reason while breastfeeding. If e.g. your maintenance without breastfeeding was 1900 calories, you could just eat that, and lose weight. The bad news are that when you stop breastfeeding you usually still feel hungry for a while, which is when many women gain back a good amount of what they lost while breastfeeding, so do not invest your hopes into "the weight will fall off when I stop", because chances are the opposite will happen.
Set MFP to lose what is a reasonable amount, with a reasonable rate, and either add about 300-500 calories for breastfeeding, but make sure to stay on a deficit, or eat at maintenance, do not log breastfeeding, and let it create the deficit for you.
If, as you say, you are very obese, try to log what you eat and see how you can make smarter choices, to not feel hungry constantly, because this will take a while, so starving for a few weeks or months will not get you anywhere. See where the bulk of your calories are coming from, and then work on changing this. Is it too many meals, too many sugary drinks, too much sauce, too large portions, too calorie dense food, snacking when stressed? Once you identify what is the main problem, it will be easier to have a plan.

While I appreciate the advice, this is not necessarily what I was asking for. I understand calorie goals, weighing/logging food, healthier foods, abstaining from excess junk food, not starving myself, not eating too much extra just because I'm BFing, etc. I'm not asking for a how-to on healthy eating or maintaining a deficit, I understand that, but for experience from other breastfeeding moms on their appetite while breast-feeding vs. after weaning, and how their body handled everything in between. Obviously if I were to eat how I did prior to breast-feeding I would've lost weight, I understand that, it's not a matter of head-knowledge, but mind-set, cravings and appetite. I don't think my weight is going to miraculously disappear after I wean my twins, but I am hoping my appetite will lessen and it will be a little easier to satisfy. Thank you for taking the time to respond though.

I answered from experience. I have 3 kids, breastfed all 3. Ate as before kids, probably a bit better, because I was more conscious of needing calcium and protein more, so was more like to pick a yoghurt or some almond milk as a snack over a cookie. Did not count calories, overall ate as pre-pregnancy. Lost weight, to the point of ending up with an unhealthy BMI. Each time, after weaning, the weight lost started creeping back and it was a struggle to adjust to my body no longer burning these extra calories. I had cravings, felt hungry and also thirsty, as all breastfeeding mothers do I believe. It took time after weaning for my appetite to catch up and I continued feeling hungrier than usual for several months.
I know this is not at all what you want to hear. But, telling you that weight loss while breastfeeding or after breastfeeding, has magic tricks and shortcuts, it will be a lie. It is not a matter of appetite. Appetite in the end can be satisfied with an apple, or a glass of milk.
So to sum up: breastfeeding helps lose weight, weaning helps gain weight. My experience with all my babies, my mother's experience, my friends experience.
A quick google search says that to maintain 250 lbs, you need about 2250 calories per day, assuming you are not moving much. When nursing, this means that you have an extra about 500 calories per day, so since you gained significantly, you are currently eating well over 3000 calories. Cravings because of breastfeeding are a good excuse to eat e.g. a donut before bet, which is about 200 calories or so. You cannot attribute 3000+ calories per day to cravings. And there are no quick fixes. It is totally doable, as many people on this site can tell you, but it takes honesty with yourself and a change in mindset. I know you want me to say that once they slow down, weight will melt down and you will crave grapes and water only. But I do not think lying will help you, not when you say your weight affects your daily life and your dreams of a bigger family. Put your mind to it, set a goal of a couple of years and you can definitely do it!

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time with breastfeeding and weight. My experience (about 30 years ago) was different. My son was weaned at 13 months - except for 1 morning feeding which I dropped, he self weaned. I gained 50 pounds during the pregnancy and was about 20 pounds overweight when I got pregnant. By the time he weaned, I had lost all 70 lbs. And, even better, I had lost weight in my hips and legs that has never come off before or since (even when my weight is lower than that). I was not trying to lose weight, it just seemed to happen naturally. The main thing I noticed during that time was an insatiable thirst! I could drink water all day long and never quench it. It was nuts, because outside of breastfeeding, I rarely feel thirst at all and have to force myself to drink.

Congrats on your twin boys. I bet they are wonderful since y'all are still planning on a big family!

And your plan to keep breastfeeding through the cold/flu season sounds great. We nearly lost our baby to severe asthma not long after weaning, and I would've definitely nursed a second baby longer for extra protection from illnesses. (Endometriosis put the kibosh on more kids.)

You’re eating for three right now! Congratulations on the twins! Boys are so fun. Once they are walking you’ll lose a ton of weight chasing them down! The activity level of boys is mind boggling.

I share your experience. Just had baby #3 in February and exclusively nursed all 3 for over a year (currently still nursing)... I NEVER LOSE WEIGHT WHILE NURSING. I was so envious of all the other women boasting of the weight loss. I was insatiably hungry after nursing my first son, but I didn’t even get that ravenous hunger with the other two! I’m so busy with “two under two” that I forget to eat at times, and when I DO eat I choose healthy option. It doesn’t matter what I do, the weight stays. But as soon as I stop nursing it allllll drops off! 🙌🏾 So, at least I know there’s a bright side to the struggle, LOL.

I think we can all see, based on responses, that our bodies and experiences are all different and there’s no appropriate “one size fits all” weight loss advice- ESPECIALLY when the advice is unsolicited (*cough*LKArgh*cough*)

ive had the same experience except that i dont even get all that ravenous (at least no more than usual). I have even counted calories so i know i wasnt overeating. i just cannot seem to lose while breastfeeding. (if i put in a lot of effort, i am able to maintain.) i feel like it may be connected to not ovulating but im not positive. (i think that once i start ovulating, even if im still nursing, i am more able to lose.) anyone else notice this?
i can also relate to wanting a large family so its not like i have too much time to lose the weight in between babies....
my only advice is to hang in there...try your best not to gain at least and when the right time comes, you will be able to take it off.

dydn11402 wrote: »

ive had the same experience except that i dont even get all that ravenous (at least no more than usual). I have even counted calories so i know i wasnt overeating. i just cannot seem to lose while breastfeeding. (if i put in a lot of effort, i am able to maintain.) i feel like it may be connected to not ovulating but im not positive. (i think that once i start ovulating, even if im still nursing, i am more able to lose.) anyone else notice this?
i can also relate to wanting a large family so its not like i have too much time to lose the weight in between babies....
my only advice is to hang in there...try your best not to gain at least and when the right time comes, you will be able to take it off.

The ovulating idea is interesting. I never missed any periods during our 13 months of breastfeeding, so, obviously, I was ovulating the entire time.

Some people say they lost weight easily while breastfeeding which makes sense because you can eat 500 more calories than normal and still maintain weight. On the other hand you have a combination of stress, sleep deprivation, and hormones affecting your appetite which for me is a perfect storm for overeating. With my first child I gained 50 pounds my first year breastfeeding!! I got back to pre-pregnancy weight but I didn't start losing till I weaned. I'm currently breastfeeding again (baby is 5 months old) and this time I've gained 8 pounds (since the first initial weight loss following birth). I'm feeling ready to try to lose weight though and started logging 2 weeks ago. I've NEVER lost weight while breastfeeding (only gained) so this is new for me. I read on la leche that your milk supply should be safe as long as you don't lose more than a pound a week and eat a least 1800 calories. (But like you said you're not as concerned about milk supply due to their age.) Anyway- I've had many friends report similar experiences so yes, you're not alone. What has helped me so far with wanting to overeat (in the past 2 weeks that I've done this) is waiting to eat breakfast and lunch till I feel hungry (instead of eating quickly at convenient times when no one "needs" me.) And making sure I'm eating good foods- I'm eating fruit at the beginning of every meal, eating protein and vegetables. Eating desserts when I want to after a meal... pretty standard but it's helping me so far stick close to my calorie goal. Congrats on having your babies!