Breastfeeding and can't keep weight on

[firsttimepregnanthelp]

I know a lot of women struggle with baby weight but I am having the opposite problem. This is not a stealth brag at all - it is really getting me down.

I lost weight during pregnancy due to sickness and since having my baby 10 weeks ago appear to have lost more. I am now maintaining a BMI of 17.8 (20 point something pre pregnancy) and look awful. I found out my BMI today and it made me upset because i hadn't realised it was that low.
This hot weather makes me so self conscious because my arms and legs are so Skinny and I just want to cover up, and I am worried about the impact on my bones etc.

I am eating 2800 calories per day and eating a very balanced diet -6-7 portions of fruit and veg per day; meals including protein, carbs and fats and many snacks including fruit and yogurt, protein bars and (probably too much) ice cream, chocolate, cakes, biscuits etc but i am not gaining the weight I need to.

Obviously I need to increase my calories again but I already feel like I am eating SO MUCH and I am finding it quite a chore. In the early days I was ravenous so eating more wasn't so much of a problem but it is harder now. I've had dinner and am full but will need a significant number more calories this evening to reach my target. It is such hard work and defeating when the scales don't move.

Can anyone relate/empathise/advise?

Have you had bloods done? Particularly for thyroid levels?
If it is just a calorie in calories out issue add marvel milk powder to your yoghurt, cereal milk, and drinks you have during the day. Add melted butter, double cream and/or cheese to anything you can (potatoes, soup etc). Good luck!

@Jellyofftheplatethank you for your comment, yes I had my thyroid checked because I couldn't believe the amount I was eating wasn't doing anything. At times I feel tempted to stop breastfeeding because it is depleting me so much

Setting aside your weight, how do you feel? Are you feeling well? As energetic as one can with a baby who is up in the night?

if you feel well don’t worry about the weight and if you’re full, stop eating.

if you however feel awful do visit the doctors.

I was very thin breast feeding as well but it never bothered me. Be proud of how you look and of giving your baby a brilliant nutritional start in life

Less fruit, more cheese and nuts!

@Temporaryname158oh yeah I feel fine in myself, just very self conscious and worried about the impact on my bones etc. I do struggle to lift the cat seat now actually because my arms are so thin, I could do with having more strength

Consuming a lot of calories without eating too much volume wise - my favourites are peanut butter, cream, butter, cheese. Nuts and cheese are excellent snacks between meals because they are high calorie and yet don't damage your teeth.

In terms of the lack of strength, are you suffering from losing muscle too do you think? If so, add in some light strength training, just to maintain what you have for now, as you don't want to be using up too many precious calories.

How old is your baby? If over six months, really focus on getting food into them as much as you can to reduce milk demand. If you do decide to give up on BF, you could try combi feeding first if you wanted to. That way your baby still gets the immunity benefits etc from BF, and you get to regain some strength.

I was just the same - there was a thread on here years ago and it was around 50:50 between women who couldn’t lose baby weight until after stopping breastfeeding, and those who struggled to keep weight on.

Cake, my friend. Lots of cake.

I was asked by the midwife if I was eating chocolate. On being told I was eating a bar a day the response was ‘time to deploy a second bar, please’. If it’s any comfort, my weight went straight back to normal when DSs weaned.

I used to have to eat two portions of what I'd normally eat. I also used to eat a LOT of toast and peanut butter. Usually while feeding. (I remember having to pick crumbs out of dd's ear.)

I had the same problem after having hyperemesis in pregnancy. I had to eat none stop. The weight went back on after weaning so it was only temporary. As long as you are feeling well I wouldn't worry but if you are struggling for energy maybe ask your GP for advice. If your baby is only ten weeks you have a way to go but once they are on some solid food you'll need a bit less milk so it's a gradual process.