AIBU to be gutted I've gained over a stone

[Summertimewhitex]

After giving birth 2 months ago 😞

Weighed 11 stone pre pregnancy, went up to 14 stone (including 10lb baby!) and was down to 12 stone a week after delivery.

Breastfeeding exclusively and I now weigh 13 stone - eating the same diet I did pre pregnancy.. what happened to breastfeeding helping lose baby weight?

[ballerinabelle]

Don't be too hard on yourself.

If it bothers you then make some small changes. Get out walking with the pram, make a wee food diary of what you're eating throughout the day.

Be gentle with yourself though

[Me4You]

Each time I have given birth, I have returned to my pre-pregnancy weight within a couple of weeks.

By the time baby reaches their first birthday, I've always gained a stone. Every time!

Makes me so annoyed with myself. And I can't blame anything but lazy eating, kidding myself I can eat anything while breastfeeding because of the extra calories and indulging in middle of the night munching while feeding. Slippery slope...

[Summertimewhitex]

Ballerina- thank you! I've been using myfitnesspal and haven't ever gone over 2000 calories, I can't work out where the weight is coming from being more active is definitely a good idea though..

Me4you - secretly glad it isn't just me! Maybe I've been eating too many carbs.. want to breastfeed for at least a year but at this rate I'll have to roll around the house by her first birthday 🎈

[Summertimewhitex]

None of my clothes fit me and I feel like a big blob 😭

[ballerinabelle]

Set yourself a small goal. Perhaps to lose 3 pounds in a month. Take it slowly and be mindful of what you're eating. I think if something is bothering you to this extent then you need to do something to make yourself feel better. "Small change, big difference" as they say!

[junebirthdaygirl]

Breastfeeding does help to lose weight bit its in the long term so be patient. It shifts fat off thighs eventually. It also helps to tighten muscle quicker so good. Make sure you eat enough good food and drink lots. It will happen. ( took a year for me everytime!!)

[gamerchick]

You only need an extra 500 cals to breastfeed, that isn't a load more and I would hazard a guess since you're breastfeeding you'll be sitting around more?

Maybe a Fitbit to record how much activity you're doing might help get you started?

[StillRunningWithScissors]

I bf for a good amount of time (3yrs). I found that my body held on to the weight until DC was about 9mnths, then it came off really quickly. By 1yr I was lighter than pre pregnancy weight.

Shame I didn't keep it off (damn biscuits).

[MatildaTheCat]

I gained weight breastfeeding. I also developed a big biscuit habit but have no idea if there is a link.

Just watch your intake a bit and move around. It will shift. I know lots of people who kept the weight until they stopped bf.

[BeyondTheReasons]

TBH I know you said you haven't gone over 2,000 calories but 2,000 in itself is A LOT.

I'm 5 foot 6 and to maintain my previous weight of 16 stone I would need to eat 1,813 calories a day (no exercise).

I'm not one for calorie counting but it's good to have an idea.

Use a BMR calculator. Also you can lose a stone easy so don't worry

[Mustang27]

Didn't help me one iota, I think my body treats breastfeeding like growing a baby, need the extra weight to feed baby. It's bloody depressing as hell but a short period of time in the grand scheme of things I know once I stop il not struggle at all.

[pottered]

isn't the usual advice not to diet for the first 6 months postpartum if bf? Of course that means you should eat healthily though.

The first 6 months are exhausting. I always eat too much chocolate when I'm exhausted. Try and pack your fridge and cupboards with healthy snacks that aren't bad for you. I'm guessing you're eating a lot of ready meals/quick food?

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Sleep. Sleep is as important as diet.

I have a 3.3yo who sleeps through the night half the time and an 18mo who is up 3-4 times a night.

When the DS1 is sleeping properly, I lose 5lbs in a week without altering my diet (DP is SAHD so does most night wakings with DS2). When I'm getting broken sleep I put it straight back on, in days, without anything else changing.

There was a BBC documentary recently that said that sleep deprivation does something to insulin levels meaning it's harder to lose weight/easier to gain. I have to be EXTRA strict with my diet when i'm not getting sleep, and it's even harder as well because I need biscuits to stay awake.

I'm assuming with a tiny baby that you haven't had 7hrs sleep in a while.

Also it's VERY early days, your body is still adjusting to not being pregnant after 9 months. With both of mine I started to feel myself again after 4-6 months. Don't rush it and be kind to yourself.

[MrsPinkCock]

When I was pregnant I continued to do a lot of exercise and had very strong stomach muscles so my bump was small and compact. I had a totally flat toned stomach 3 days after giving birth

However, I struggled with BF and when my milk supply dwindled I over ate. Gained 2 stone over about six months! I was heavier than when I was pregnant

I then lost three stone over the next year by eating more healthily and continuing to BF.

Mother Nature is a strange thing!

[ConConstance]

If it's getting you down, slimming world have a breastfeeding diet programme. I used it after my daughter was born.

Just remember you are doing a great job!