A question for ladies who nursed

I'm not really sure what your asking. "Is it too hard to do both?" Do you mean breast feed and formula or do you mean exercise and watch your calories? Not sure. Anyway, I think breast feeding is great for the baby if you can do it So many health bonuses for the baby. I'm thinking though, I don't think you want to cut your calories too much though. I believe that reduces your milk production which will then make nursing frustrating for you and the baby. I bet you could find some good information on your calorie intake when your nursing online.

I could not lose weight while nursing. I also had to mix formula and milk. I did it until the last 2 babies were 6 months then I gave up.

Are you eating enough calories? You need an additional 300-500 calories over what you are eating in order to sustain breastmilk. And sometimes people need more water. I have a 2 month old who is exclusively breastfed (my second) and I typically drink at minimum over 100 oz of water a day.

But as far as weight loss goes, it is true. Some people the weight melts away (it is for me this time), but others hold onto every bit until they wean their child.

There are some other things you can do to try to get your supply up if you want. If you have a breast pump you can pump after you have nursed. That will help stimulate your breasts to increase supply. You can also take an herb called Fenugreek or there is a product called Motherlove More Milk. And if that doesn't work you can call your OB and they can prescribe a medication that can help increase it as well. Or contact a local lactation consultant to help with some ideas as well.

But yeah, nursing can be such an emotional battle.

Everybody is different. Some women can't seem to lose weight again until they stop nursing, as their bodies are hanging on to the fat in order to produce milk. Also, keep in mind that there is no generic "burns 500 calories a day". It really depends on how much you're making. Each ounce of BM is about 20 calories, so assume it takes approximately that many calories "burned" to make it.

The first few months are the most crucial for BM benefits, so give yourself a pat on the back for nursing even for two months already. Some women decide not to nurse at all, and it's a tough learning curve for both you and baby.

If you want to keep nursing, then consider contacting a lactation consultant (there should be a La Leche League group in your area) to get some tips and advice on how to increase your output or efficiency.

Ultimately it's your choice--do what you need to do in order to feel as healthy and happy as you can with a new baby!

Take heart! I was in the same boat. Fortunately I was able to keep nursing until my daughter was 7 months, but by that time I was using formula, taking milk producing supplements, I used this little apparatus that held formula in a bag I wore around my neck with a tiny tube that I taped to my breast so my daughter could nurse from me at the same time she got formula.

Looking back I think I figured out my problem. I needed to drink lots more water, and stop thinking I know so much. Basically I assumed that if I just fed my daughter she couldn't possibly be hungry again so I gave her a passifier. If you really want to turn around your milk production, put your baby on your breast everytime he/she moves, blinks, makes a noise, anything. Let them decide if they want to eat or not. The more often you can produce a "let down" the more milk you will produce in general. Also you want to completely empty each breast, but the let down is important. Stress can cause this to be slow so when trying to feed your baby, relax, breathe deep, maybe put on relaxing music, close your eyes, and make sure you have a drink close by.

My sister was excellent at breast feeding and she would always have her pump on the other breast whenever her son was feeding. I think that helped her alot. If you try that you might find yourself having two let downs in one sitting.

Don't get hung up worrying about ounces. Breast milk is lighter but more nutritious. Formula makes a baby feel full but can also be difficult to digest.

Also I didn't get my body back until the third month, so give it a little more time before you decide it's not working.

If you decide it's just to stressful... Don't beat yourself up. That's why they invented formula. It gives a baby everything they need to be healthy. Breast milk is just a better package.

If you are interested in any of the breast feeding assistance methods I mentioned, let me know. They didn't necessarily work for me but they have worked for a lot of other women.

GOOD LUCK!

I am nursing my third child & have spoken to his pediatrician, my OB, & researched this very thing. I have found that you need 1800-2500 calories a day while nursing (more if burning alot of calories). I put in breastfeeding each morning as a food on here & it deducts 500 calories automatically. From there, I customize my calorie goal into 1300-1800 (since the 500 is built in). I have been doing this for over a month (took me a month to research & play w the numbers to get the right amount) & I have lost about 10 pounds. Also, I think it's important to eat all of your exercise calories so that you burn the calories & not your lean muscle. I am no expert but this is totally working for me & I have never lost more than 20# post baby. My child is 3 months & I am down 29# since delivery!
Try the fenugreek & get your supply going! The bond of nursing is irreplaceable & it is best for your infant! Best wishes & keep exercising! Play w ur diet, workouts, and calories - you will find what's best for you. You CAN do both - just be determined!

I've never been able to do more than half and half. That's with fenugreek, pumping, and brewer's yeast. I typically pump an oz to an oz and a half. My lactation consultant even had the OB write a script for Reglan to boost supply, but it made me really, really sleepy.

When the baby was born, he lost a bit of birthweight and they threatened to readmit him if I didn't supplement with formula. Once that formula was introduced, everything went downhill. Believe me, I would love to exclusively breast feed. This is not an issue of me devoting time to it or anything like that, it was the one thing I wanted to do and had my heart set on, but I'm trying to be flexible and not get discouraged.

I never thought that I might not be eating enough, I haven't really felt hungry, but that's a very good point. Because this is so beneficial is the reason I have stuck with it for 2 months. I really wouldn't have put up with nursing and then pumping after every feeding for 2 months if there wasn't a darn good reason. lol.

Thanks for the input everyone, very helpful!

Just saw your post - been there this time around! My baby lost a whole pound his first month! No one could figure out why. I got on mfp while supplementing & was shocked by my low caloric intake. Once I upped them as I explained above, it was hello milk, hello growing baby, bye bye weight!

Please don't be discouraged that the pounds aren't melting off. Mine didn't either. That's only true for some women. I would encourage you to nurse as often as possible to try and increase your supply, offer the breast before those bottle feedings. Contact your local La Leche League if you haven't already. They can help! There's no rush to get those pounds off. The celebrities we see who are stick thin a month after giving birth are not the norm! It should take some time and that's OK.

I went through this same thing. It was so stressful not producing enough. However I did take the fenugreek 3 pills 3 times a day until I smelled like maple syrup. Helped a lot with production but I still didn't lose any weight until I stopped nursing when he turned one about 4 months ago. I found that I needed more complex carbs for good output.