Breastfeeding and 5:2

[tmae]

Is this okay?

Also, I have a lot of weight I want to lose, would 4:3 be a better idea?

Or alternate day fasting?

5:2 is enough, it goes fast for me and I lose it fairly quickly. I think it should be ok whilst bf, just make sure your 500 calories really count and are nutritious. Your other days don't change so no worries there

Works - 5:2 plenty don't have more fasting days. Won't harm bf but you will loose weight:)

We advise BFers to start at 1000 cal FDs for 5:2, then gradually reduce to 700 if they feel ok. You can always return to 1000 at growth spurts.

If you decide to do 4:3 or ADF (Alternate Day Fasting) then keep to 1000- cal FDs, as advised by Dr Varady.

Health and supply are the priorities. A loss of 1lb per week is sustainable and safe.

Lovely, thank you all.

My son is 8 months old so is now on food too although he doesn't eat full meals yet but doesn't solely rely on milk. I plan to let him self-wean all being well but really want to lose weight. I'll plan to start off doing 5:2 with 1,000 cals and adjust it as seems sensible. Thanks again.

Have a read of this on Kellymom.

Could you try Slimming World instead? Its much more bfing friendly

Watching with interest. Did 5:2 before getting pregnant and keen to start again.

Some 5:2ers are doing tandem feeds with toddler, no problem with supply

I'd say avoid anything that requires a subscription or buying special meals - these firms make you wallet slimmer.
On 5:2, no need to buy anything and most folk find food bills are cheaper.

your wallet

Hello - we've had lots of 5:2ers who have breastfed with no supply issues, quite the opposite in many cases apparently! Certainly no need to switch to subscription-based dieting...

There's a BF 5:2 thread somewhere, I'll find and link in a mo :)

Lots of useful anecdotal 5:2 BF info here

I'm tandem-feeding my 8 mo and 2.5 yo and have been 5:2ing since DC2 was about 2mo. Milk supply is still great, no issues with being particularly hungry on fast days, and I'm back to my pre-DC weight of 53 kg (a loss of over 21 kg in six months).

I was very sick on my first fast day. I have no idea why, but it never happened again. I started at about 800 cals, but can now easily do 500. I just drink loads of water and tea! I probably only do one fast day every other week now just to maintain, although I have given up breakfast for good.

21 kg in 6 months and right down to a low weight - That's brilliant !
Well done, MilchMama

Thanks technically four kilos was baby

A lot of thanks are due to you and the other contributors on this board. I attempted to follow the exercise thread but gave up and ate cake when I realised the weight was dropping off by itself.

How soon after giving birth did you do the 5:2?

I did it for a year prior to being pregnant (I'm now approaching 7mnths) and I lost 2stone within 6mnths, but kept it all off pretty much until I was 12weeks pregnant. I have got to be honest I can't wait to be fasting again!! Would it be ok to go back to 5:2 diet 6-8weeks after birth or is that too soon?

Congratulations on your baby

I think we usually say wait 3 months, to give your body time to recover, but it depends how you feel.
Hopefully some fasting mums will post and say when they started.

Thanks sleepy That sounds a sensible routine and 1lb loss per week is a good target
How long after birth did you start ?

It's good to hear all your achievements!!

Congratulations on huge weight loss sleepysheep I'm just eager to feel really healthy and fit again. That being said I do feel great at the moment just trying to avoid glutonous desire for cake and all things sweet!!

Well done sleepy That's excellent

Why not start at 10 weeks, Culler Good luck

Thank you for all your feedback, and congratulations to you all!

Would AFDs be too much? I'm very tempted to start doing 750cals every other day, but I have had an eating disorder in the past so don't want to do it if it sounds like a slip into that again.

I started this week and have done one fast day and was fine on the day but a bit shaky the next, but that doesn't bother me. I don't know if it is because I have quite a night feedy type baby maybe.

Glad I found this as my DD is now 13 weeks old and I lost quickly with 5:2 before I got pregnant.

I'm going to start in January, with my fast days at 1000 cals to begin with. Need to recalculate my NFD calories though as I'm heavier now than I think I have ever been!

Might make my cardiovascular days the fast days too. Maybe us bf-ing 5:2ers could have a thread? Keep each other motivated and help with the WOL?