Breastfeeding moms who work out: please help!

SAC0O3
SAC0O3 Posts: 95
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
When I was pregnant I weighed 130lbs at my 40 week appointment. Four weeks PP I weighed 114. Recently, after a little over a month of working out I weighed 111.
Unfortunately I have gained some of my weight back. Night time I weigh 114 but in the morning I weigh 111. Anyways, I see on days that I work out my milk supply is significantly lower so I tried to eat as many calories as I burned. It seems that doesn't help my supply at all. Basically, days I work out, my milk supply vanished. My work out schedule looked like this: running 40 min in the morning 4xweek and 30DSxweek.
I see that on the weekends (when I don't work out) I am always engorged with no problems! I still count my calories those days to make sure I don't eat too much. (I include an extra 300 calories to my diet for breastfeeding)

So I am really unsure what to do. Should I stop working out and only count calories until I am done breastfeeding? I am worried if I do that I will lose my muscles I have worked so hard to get.

Replies

  • _Johanna_
    _Johanna_ Posts: 125 Member
    Oh man! I know how stressful and frustrating that must be! Maybe you aren't drinking enough water on the days you are working out? I hope you figure it out or someone else has better advice!
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    All I can say is to eat more during the week. Try oatmeal for breakfast.. How much are you nursing/pumping on a normal weekday? If you throw in an extra feeding/pumping on the weekdays and make sure you're eating enough your supply should increase. Private message me if you have anymore questions or friend request me. I'm a breastfeeding, working out mom too.
  • Sarah_McConkie
    Sarah_McConkie Posts: 6
    I don't work out as much or as hard as you do (I do an hour-long DVD or run 3 times a week and get out for a walk with my baby in the stroller every day as well) , but I did notice a little dip in my supply when I began working out. My solution was to drink 1 gallon of water every day. I tote a milk jug full of water all over the house with me and drink until it's gone. Maybe staying super hydrated could help keep your supply up as well. Good luck!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    When I was pregnant I weighed 130lbs at my 40 week appointment. Four weeks PP I weighed 114. Recently, after a little over a month of working out I weighed 111.
    Unfortunately I have gained some of my weight back. Night time I weigh 114 but in the morning I weigh 111. Anyways, I see on days that I work out my milk supply is significantly lower so I tried to eat as many calories as I burned. It seems that doesn't help my supply at all. Basically, days I work out, my milk supply vanished. My work out schedule looked like this: running 40 min in the morning 4xweek and 30DSxweek.
    I see that on the weekends (when I don't work out) I am always engorged with no problems! I still count my calories those days to make sure I don't eat too much. (I include an extra 300 calories to my diet for breastfeeding)

    So I am really unsure what to do. Should I stop working out and only count calories until I am done breastfeeding? I am worried if I do that I will lose my muscles I have worked so hard to get.

    When I was nursing, my doc said to keep the exercise light, walking, swimming, etc. Have you called your doc or a lactation specialist for their recommendations?
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    I exercise like mad during breastfeeding and have never had issues... that being said-how many calories are you eating? Are you adding in enough calories to account for breastfeeding (approximately 300 calories extra a day)? You can add breastfeeding to your diary, and it will subtract those calories so that you will need to add them back in. At 111, you probably ought to be eating to maintain, so you should be eating maintenance calories+300 calories (BF)+ exercise calories.

    I definitely recommend eating real oatmeal (not instant) and drinking lots and lots and lots of water.


    signed,

    Kim-BF mom of five and WIC breastfeeding peer counselor. :)
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I exercise like mad during breastfeeding and have never had issues... that being said-how many calories are you eating? Are you adding in enough calories to account for breastfeeding (approximately 300 calories extra a day)? You can add breastfeeding to your diary, and it will subtract those calories so that you will need to add them back in. At 111, you probably ought to be eating to maintain, so you should be eating maintenance calories+300 calories (BF)+ exercise calories.

    I definitely recommend eating real oatmeal (not instant) and drinking lots and lots and lots of water.


    signed,

    Kim-BF mom of five and WIC breastfeeding peer counselor. :)

    I would listen to her, look at her signature.
  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    I breastfed for 26 months and then another baby for 31 months.

    My suggestion would be to make sure you eat back your cals. You need to first and foremost make sure your supply is there. Oatmeal (not in the pack...the real stuff) can make a big increase in your supply, believe it or not :) Mother's milk tea is supposedly great, too!

    I did WW'rs while nursing and I got (at the time) 10 extra points on top of my flex and regular daily points to eat. That averages to about 500 extra cals a day. Breastfeeding is a "work out" in itself. It takes a good bit for your body to make your baby's food :)

    Oh! A couple of great sites for bf'ing advice is www.kellymom.com and www.breastfeeding.com.

    Keep up the good work, Mama!
  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    Kim ~ a LC is what I wanna be when I grow up :):) Looking into it now!
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    Kim ~ a LC is what I wanna be when I grow up :):) Looking into it now!

    I'd like to be a midwife when I grow up lol I am trying really hard to find it in the finances to go back to college. It's hard because I already have a degree that cost me lots of $ in loans and grants that I can't use. :-/


    And it's true-kellymom is one of the best sites ever!
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