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?

I wouldn’t engage further
just got to hope the family are on it

I’m sad to see this turn of events @firsttimepregnanthelp (I was on your previous threads).

please be honest with your family

@Fulloffi am fine thank you, started adding a Build Up drink to my intake the other day and had a telephone appt with my GP yesterday and he has prescribed me Ensure which I will collect today. It is a relief not to have to add more food because although there was a point where I was enjoying it, it was becoming a chore.

@Fulloffno never had it before but had nurishment drinks at one point to put a bit of weight on, that was a long time ago now though.

No, why? I was looking for solidarity from other breastfeeding mums and didn't receive much of that, just accusations that I am a fully blown anorexic which I am not. Partner knows this, GP knows this but people on here who have never even met me appear to know better.

I breastfed to two years each time. I lost a lot of weight each time but only for the first 8 months or so. Each time it improved around then and I found I always look my best ever when I have an 18month old. Breastfeeding glow but weight back on.
Give it time. Eat and drink when you can and just keep going. Your baby is still so tiny.

@Raspberriessthank you, I feel better now I have the drinks to supplement things as adding extra food into my day was getting a bit too much

@Chipsahoythank you ❤️I would like to restore some weight asap to look a bit better - i have delayed having a family photo shoot because of jow I look atm. Vain I know but a good motivator to keep going!

@Raspberriessthank you, I am - I am lucky that they are very supportive. We expected postpartum to be a difficult period but weight aside i am doing very well - I don't have the energy to entertain any negative automatic thoughts and I have a newfound flexibility with food that I never had before eg dinner plans changed last night - bf was late home so picked up fish and chips for us. This would have previously been my number 1 fear food but it didn't faze me last night- i need the calories and I was hungry so I ate them. Even when I was in a better place with my weight pre pregnancy this would have thrown me