I can’t stop eating

[Justonemorechip]

Since having my baby 10 weeks ago I’ve done nothing but eat constantly in the past 7 weeks. I can’t even say it’s healthy food because it’s not. It’s all sugary cakes and fizzy drinks. I’m breastfeeding too so I know it’s not good for my baby and I’m starting to be concerned about my overeating habit.
Initially I was being very good with veg, fruit etc but I guess the lack of energy made me turn to processed crap. My pregnancy craving of greasy take aways is still lingering too.
I’m not even hungry, I just have a chocolate bar for the sake of it. I buy high calorie food whenever I can because I can. I must easily be eating up to 4000 calories a day which I know is sickening. I’ve gained all the baby weight back plus more. I’m usually a size 8-10 but I had to buy a 14-16 outfit for my friends birthday weekend. Not including bump size as that went within a week.
I never had this with my other 2 children, I bounced back within days and kept the weight off. Now all I want is cake and take aways. I have stretch marks for the first ever time as I didn’t get them with any of my pregnancies.
My partner hasn’t said anything but I know he’s concerned and tries to plan for healthier meals and snacks. I don’t feel full or feel sick, I can honestly eat and eat without stopping.
My mental health is fine, I’m happy and loving being a family of 5. I just don’t know why I’m eating so much and losing control over it. The thought of needing to go on a diet and exercising fills me with dread so I block it out. I go for walks every morning but they don’t make much difference as I stop in at costa half way.
Stop eating the junk isn’t going to be easy as I genuinely think I’m addicted. last week I had a day when baby was very unsettled and I couldn’t eat for most of the day, I was in pain and felt like I hadn’t eaten for a month. It took 2 meals and several snacks for that feeling to pass. Cutting down seems the logical step but I can’t do it. Even now I’m planning tea and what I’ll be snacking on all evening.
Can anyone share their thoughts and advise me on what to do? My health visitor asked me in my 6 week check as part of a PND questionnaire if I have any eating concerns and I stupidly said no out of embarrassment. I know I need to stop this now before I become diabetic or worse. Please help.

Not that I would know but I’ve heard going from 2 children to 3 is huge so your time and energy is going to be restricted.

Why not just start small, you don’t have to do “all or nothing”, if you’re eating 4000 calories then cut down to 3000 for a week and keep reducing it over time. You’ll soon get used to it.

I don’t have any advice as I am having exactlt the same issue, I have a 6 month old and have put on more weight since having the baby than I did during my pregnancy. I’m hoping when I go back to work I’ll get back into a proper routine with food again.

First of all, don’t panic. Your body has been through massive upheavals and you have a lot to do right now! Don’t beat yourself up!

Sometimes you have a deficiency your body is fighting to address. I ate my body weight in cheese (which I don’t really like) after one pregnancy, I think because I’d drunk loads of milk in pregnancy then immediately dropped it when the baby was born.

Take a little time to plan your meals- even if only one meal a day at first!
Decide on, say, porridge or egg on toast for breakfast every day.

Try and increase your protein- maybe with whey powder or collagen in a drink, with a multivitamin.

Don’t try and deny yourself food, concentrate on giving yourself lovely food. It’s a different mindset that will help you look after yourself.

You just need a few shortcuts and systems to make looking after yourself a bit easier.

Slimming world readymeals from Iceland are tasty and not processed. Might be worth getting a few in.

How do you buy your groceries?

Sounds like you're hooked on sugar and UPF.

Load up on veggies and nutritious whole foods. Root veg and stews/anything slow cooked has a natural sweetness.

I'd focus not on trying to restrict how much you eat but making sure that what you do eat is nourishing.

Keep things easy eg buy fresh cartons of soup and add kale or spinach when you heat them, plus herbs and spices to taste.

Wholemeal versions of carbs, protein and fibre for each meal.

Tell your health visitor - there will be ways they can support you.

I had this with one of my babies, I think breastfeeding and lack of sleep just made me ravenous. Definitely make sure you’re taking a good multivitamin in case you’re low on something and your body is trying to get it. How was your iron in pregnancy? My appetite settled down a bit after around 7/8 months but I still craved loads of sugar. A collagen supplement has massively reduced that - not the reason I started taking it but a pleasant side effect!

Getting your bloods checked can't hurt and may give you answers. I eat a lot of sugary rubbish when my iron is low because I'm so damn tired!

Thank you all for the kind replies.
i did have low iron throughout my pregnancy, I wasn’t aware it could be connected. I’m still taking my pregnacare vitamins. I usually order my shop via sainsburys for delivery so I’m not swayed by extra junk, I mostly buy the food I eat when I pass shops rather than in bulk. I know this is my downfall and I should avoid shops but I end up so hungry and all I want is sugary food which I don’t buy in my online order. I am tired but no more tired than any other parent with 3 children. Baby sleeps well so I don’t have that excuse anymore. I know it’s just pure greed so I’m ashamed of myself.

Please stop feeling ashamed of yourself. I know how you feel but it’s not helpful because then you just comfort eat to feel better and the cycle continues. Even if your baby sleeps well it’s very tiring having 3 young children and pregnancy and breastfeeding really take it out of you.

Sugar is sooo addictive as well. I would look at trying the 16:8 diet and try to go cold turkey on all the sweet stuff - it’s impossible to have just a bit. Nothing is actually easier and the cravings subside after a few days if you stop eating it.

Your body is telling you it’s struggling. That’s not shameful.

Instead of ignoring yourself and feeling bad about needing sugar, try a rethink- look at ways you can support yourself that aren’t sugar.

Can you get an afternoon nap, a meal box, something that reduces the pressure you are under. Can you outsource anything?

Breastfeeding uses up to 600 extra calories a day, so it's normal to eat extra (but not too much obviously).
I used to be hooked on anything with dried fruit in - hot cross buns and flapjacks were a big hit.
Try eating high energy foods with snacks in between when you need them, but don't go too crazy for chocolate/takeaways etc (although some are fine)
You need energy right now, so muesli with fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, flapjack or fruit loaf with peanut butter for a snack, and something like a jacket potato with tuna and cheese and some salad for tea should fill you up, and are quick easy options. If you aim for about 2500 calories a day you should feel full without going overboard, but be kind to yourself and don't get hooked on calorie counting.
I wasn't ready to work out for a long time after having a baby, but I'd get out for a long pram walk every day when I could, which helped.

Are you much older than you was with the other babies? I think once you get to 30s generally you need to control what you eat more to maintain whatever size you are. Do you go for walks OP?