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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

I'm always STARVING

17 replies

PretzelPrincess · 25/03/2014 21:43

Just that really DS is almost 3 weeks old and I'm EBF. I can't seem to satisfy my hunger! As soon as I've eaten I want more, even have snacks 5 in the morning because I wake up so hungry is this normal? What an I eat that will satisfy my hunger, is nutritious and won't make me fat??

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HappyCria · 25/03/2014 21:53

The only thing that helped with my hunger was bananas which is weird because I hate them normally I just can't stand the texture.

I used to have some by my bed for night feeds because I would feel so hungry at each feed.

My Dh did long distance running and cycling events and bananas were recommended to him for energy something to do with the potassium in them I think. Whatever it is my body really craved them and they worked to satisfy my hunger.

badidea · 25/03/2014 21:55

I was exactly the same with DS1 (less so with DS2, but DS1 had a huge appetite!) I regularly ate more than my 6ft 4 husband, I'd give myself a bigger portion of dinner, eat it all, then offer to finish off his! Not to mention all the snacks I ate when I got the chance. Having said all that, in the first 4 months after the birth I lost 2.5 stone (despite the huge amount of calories I was eating). Basic message I'd say is if your body is needing the calories, make sure you eat enough it doesn't have to be chocolate (although it was for me :-).

The hardest thing for me in the early days is when you're hungry, you need something to eat straightaway (hence I ate loads of chocolate as it was so easy). So, if you can, try and prepare (or get OH or family to help you prepare) and have food ready to eat (e.g. cheese and crackers, big bowl of pasta or couscous salad you can pick at, big pot of soup that is easy to heat up, make up sandwiches and keep them in the fridge, etc. Have desserts (e.g. stewed apples and custard or rice pudding) after your meals to keep you topped up. Keep yoghurts in the fridge so you can get somethign quick and sweet.

You could also try keeping a cereal bar or something next to your bed (along with a big bottle of water) so that if you are feeding during the night you can have something to eat.

Key thing is don't starve yourself, you're craving calories for a reason, try and eat healthier if thats what makes you feel better, but don't obsess about not getting fat and make sure you are eating enough food.

Oh, and congratulations on your baby :-D

PretzelPrincess · 25/03/2014 21:56

I was eating bananas throughout my pregnancy until my third trimester when suddenly my body rejected them. I got incredibly painful stomach cramps, thought I was in labour. I've been a little scared to try it since...but may have to gather the courage

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DramaAlpaca · 25/03/2014 21:59

I remember those long ago days. I used to go downstairs in the middle of the night between feeds & guzzle a huge bowl of weetabix. It was the only thing that filled me up quickly. The amount of food I could put away was ridiculous, and I used to get very thirsty too.

Great advice from the ladies above

Congrats on your baby

Hertschick · 25/03/2014 21:59

Yes I was just the same and it is so easy to grab the bad stuff! I tried to fill up on lots of fruit (inc bananas) & also made myself flapjacks.

It doesn't last forever but you do just feel ravenous!

feetheart · 25/03/2014 22:00

I ate like a horse when pregnant and like a pregnant horse whilst bfing :o
And I lost weight.

Congratulations and keep eating!

PretzelPrincess · 25/03/2014 22:00

Badidea that is so true, I want food that is quick and easy. Like you said when you feel hunger pans you need something straight away.
I'm not obsessing about my weight, I just want to make sure I'm eating the right things to produce nutritional milk. I mean I don't want to gain loads of weight but I'm not limiting myself to try and lose pregnancy weight either.
I like your idea of pasta salads and soups! Will have to give DM a call tomorrow

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HappyCria · 25/03/2014 22:02

Would agree with everything bad has to say bananas were the quick and easy snack that worked for me during feeds but definitely make sure you get plenty of calories the rest of the day. You really do need them.

I lost a lot of weight while breast feeding but I ate like a horse constantly. Far more than my Dh who works in a very physically demanding job.

tinfoilhat · 25/03/2014 22:03

Congratulations and well done!
Yes, perfectly normal to be so hungry. I drank a lot of milk, ate lots of pasta, huge bowls of cereal for snacks, the healthy cereal/oat/protein bars not loaded with sugar, bananas, made fresh milkshakes with fresh fruit..... And lots of cake and chocolate unfortunately! (I figured I was eating very healthily during mealtimes and most snacks so I deserved some indulgence too!) Something I found really handy was to keep a banana & protein-type bar by my bed and I'd eat that during night feeds, didn't feel like it but it really helped make me feel better as I wasn't waking up feeling sick with hunger.
And water, loads and loads of it...
Try not to worry too much about food 'making you fat' whilst you're breast feeding - your body actually needs more nourishment now than when you were pregnant. By breast feeding you are already doing the best thing to help you lose weight, so don't worry about that now.
Good luck and enjoy!!! I so loved that special time with my 2 DC, really wonderful.

tinfoilhat · 25/03/2014 22:05

Sorry, in the time I took to write that there were already lots of replies and virtually all saying the same! Sorry to repeat!!

PretzelPrincess · 25/03/2014 22:11

I'm glad I'm not the only one and this is all normal! Hmmm what to eat now?...

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josephine1986 · 26/03/2014 08:51

I was always starving in the first weeks then tailed off at 5ish weeks thankfully, I couldn't keep it up. Normal appetite now at almost 3mos

mrsmugoo · 26/03/2014 09:04

DS is 2 weeks old today and I could have written your post!

I like croissants, nakd bars, smoothies and porridge as my snacks to keep me going.

suntodayplease · 26/03/2014 10:07

I lived off malted milk biscuits in the early days with DD. Had a pack next to me in bed most nights convinced myself they helped with supply. Didn't really help loose weight though. Wonder why?!

PastaandCheese · 26/03/2014 14:19

I think it is partly breastfeeding and partly being tired that makes you hungry. No matter what anyone says sugar does help you feel better when tired!

I'm having porridge for breakfast which is helping with hunger and I'm pretty sure oats are excellent for milk production thus offsetting the Cadbury Caramel bar I've just stuffed

MummyPig24 · 26/03/2014 19:33

I'm starving too. Ds2 is 17 days old and I am just ravenous all the time. He feeds every 2 hours ish and has gained 8oz in a week. I do need to make sure I'm not eating too much crap though. I can't live off chocolate!

PastaandCheese · 26/03/2014 20:34

Well despite my declaring porridge is beneficial I've had chips for dinner.

I don't even like chips very much but with a sick 2 year old and a 2 week old I'd ran out of steam!

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