To think losing weight whilst BFing is super hard

[cymmtptysm]

Hello
I have had 2 kids in the last 2 years and I've put on 20 kg which I'm finding so difficult to shift.

I EBF my eldest for 10 months before getting pregnant with my second. DD2 is now 4.5 months and I've lost 6 kg so far. I have 14 kg more to go to get back to my pre baby weight but I'm just hungry ALL the time.

Also in order to maintain my weight, I used to go to the gym three times a week and I had a fairly healthy diet.

Now, exercise is a myth. I go on walks everyday but it isn't the same as being in the gym. I'd love to join again but I'm breastfeeding so I can't leave my baby. She refuses a bottle.

I try to keep only healthy snacks in the house (fruit, nuts, hummus) but I keep reaching for sugary things. I've even started to make my own oat bars (similar to graze ones) with minimal sugar rather than reaching for the packet ones, but my tummy never feels satisfied.

Ughhhh anyone have any tips?

My body held on to half a stone while bf both times and then it just went with no effort. Coming back with a vengeance as I enter perimenopause though. Hormones have a lot to answer for!

Thanks again all.

It's 9.27am, I've been up since 7am getting DD1 ready for nursery, bathing DD2 and myself, and putting her to sleep that I'm only just getting a chance to eat something and I'm STARVING.

I haven't even brushed my teeth, because DD2 cried for me as soon as I stepped into the shower.

Weetabix with honey, a banana and tea is what's for breakfast but I know I'm going to get hungry again in 30 mins.

Any other suggestions? I'll probably have eggs as a 'snack' or 2nd small meal.

I’m the opposite. I’ve lost 10lb this month which I can only put down to breastfeeding because I’m still eating out once or twice a week, and going for coffee and cake every couple of days.

He’s now 4 months though, and I’m dreading weaning because presumably my weight loss will slow and I still have a lot to lose!

It does mean I can’t exercise much though. Pre-pregnancy I was into running, but extreme sickness followed by horrible pelvic pain meant I stopped entirely whilst pregnant. My physio advised not taking it up again until I’ve stopped feeding because my hips still aren’t quite right and the relaxin hormone will only make me more likely to injure myself further.

I think it depends on your body and how it stores fat. Breastfeeding can expend around 500 calories per day, so if anything it should be easier to have a calorie deficit. I look at photos of when my DS was about 5 months and EBF - I looked gaunt and was down to about 52kg (5"5).

There's all the usual advice about only having healthy snacks around, drinking lots of water etc, but I would say that it's such a short period of time... if you're happy breastfeeding and your child is doing well, does it matter if you're carrying a bit of weight? You're doing something incredible for your child - don't put yourself down.

Lol there is always one.

Have eggs for breakfast instead, and lots of them!

Weetabix isn’t very calorific and honey and banana are sugary, so that’s why you’re getting hungry again so quickly. What about porridge? Appreciate it’s a bugger to prepare when juggling a baby – could you do overnight oats or birchermuesli to grab in the morning? Greek yoghurt? Things that are dense but also have protein so they’re filling for longer – like eggs.

Soup is also meant to be good but I hate soup.

YANBU, chill and enjoy your babies.

I only lost squidge once I'd weaned

@bussteward I've just made myself an omelette to go WITH the weetabix 🤣

Yes overnight oats is a shout!

I have greek yoghurt but no muesli but will add it to the shopping list!

Weetabix with honey, a banana and tea is what's for breakfast but I know I'm going to get hungry again in 30 mins

Any other suggestions? I'll probably have eggs as a 'snack' or 2nd small meal

I'd start logging everything on MyFitnessPal and then start slowly reducing the calories until you start SLOWLY losing weight. It might take a few weeks before you can work out how many calories you can have.

The other thing that I do is accept that you might feel hungry at times. If I'm dieting I can feel hungry at 4'ish. I either ignore it or have a very very low calorie snack or drink. It won't actually do you any harm to feel a bit hungry sometimes. I prefer to occasionally feel hungry during the day and have nice filling meals rather than ending up having snacks all day long so I never feel hungry.

I feel for you OP with your two year old. I'm due DC2 any day now and my 2y 4mo only wants MUMMY CUDDDDDDDLLLLLEEEEE or MUMMY CARRRRRRRYYYYY all the time. I love him more than anything and will sit and cuddle as much as he needs but I physically can't carry him about much (I'm now 40+3) and I'm so glad he's in nursery 3 days pw just so I get to rest.

I'm another one where the weight dropped off with no effort when I stopped breastfeeding. It's partly the feeding and partly the lack of sleep, I think - lots of evidence that poor quality sleep makes you hold onto weight.

I think if you're hungry and craving calories/fat while breastfeeding, then that's probably what your body needs at that time. It's a phase in you life and there's nothing wrong with it imo.

I've breastfed twice and the weight dropped off me both times. I was lighter whilst breastfeeding than my usual weight when not.

Thank you @mumoffourminimes and @roarfeckingroarr for the alternative perspective.

My family also tell me to be less hard on myself.

I just feel shit though because I'm wearing the same three co-ords which are just black top and bottoms and the same dress when I want to dress up a little as that's the only one with a zip for feeding.

I'd love to splash out on more clothes that fit my current body shape but it just seems a waste when we have other expenses.

Breastfeeding can expend around 500 calories per day, so if anything it should be easier to have a calorie deficit.

In theory, but it's clear from the lived experience of many women that can be more complicated than that.

I've never experienced anything like the weight loss I had after stopping BFing. A good 10 lbs fell off in about 3 weeks, without me doing anything differently really. If only all dieting was they easy 😆

Try Vinted ☺️

Not my experience at all. I was really skinny when I was bf.

Helped with my first because he was incredibly hungry and was like a Buddha whilst I got smaller and smaller. But I could have fed 5 hungry babies with my crazy milk supply.

I didn’t eat any more than usual until my health visitor told me off!

I just feel shit though because I'm wearing the same three co-ords which are just black top and bottoms and the same dress when I want to dress up a little as that's the only one with a zip for feeding.

I did buy a few bits. Mostly tops as I was living in leggings. If at all possible, it's worth it to give yourself a boost. It's no fun feeling completely shit, even if it's only for a short time.

@TheKeatingFive all bodies are different. I'm convinced weight loss has more to do with your genes than anything else - except what you eat, of course.

OP, your friends and family are right - try not to be so hard on yourself. You're doing the best thing you can for your baby and sounds like you're nailing it with a toddler in tow too. If you want to lose some weight, for you, then lots of protein and long walks when toddler is at nursery.

Eat more filling stuff. Weetabix has very limtied nutritional contents. Instead eat the eggs, with some wholegrain toast and real butter. Add some tomatoes or spinach or a side of fruit. Or have greek yogurt with granola, nuts and fruits. Focus on protein, healthy carbs, healthy fats and fruit and veg - the things your body needs to fuel all that milk. Weetabix with honey is just carbs and sugar and will give you a little blood sugar boost and not much else. No wonder you are snacking all the time.

And then walk. Everywhere!

Give yourself time too - 9 months to put it on, 9 to lose it! Oh and buy some new clothes rather than punishing yourself. Even though I lost my pregnancy weight and more, my body shape changed. My rib cage was wider, my boobs bigger and even my feet went up half a size.

Give yourself a break OP! I have never, ever known hunger like I had when I was breastfeeding. It's absolutely primal and your body's way of making sure you have enough calories to keep feeding baby. Add to that you've also got an older child so your energy is going to be lower than last time round.

Why is this such a priority for you now when you could be done feeding in 6 months? If it's a health issue, try to make sure you get enough proteins in rather than grazing so you're not as ravenous, but otherwise give yourself a break.

Breastfeeding can expend around 500 calories per day, so if anything it should be easier to have a calorie deficit.
Bf makes your blood sugar drop dramatically, and that makes you hungry. Not just snacky - I mean like “I feel sick and I’m going to pass out unless I eat something”. Some women suffer more than others. When I was bf I had to eat more in order to be able to function normally, and often when my blood sugar dropped I needed to eat sugar. As soon as I stopped bf my blood sugar stabilised, I was able to cut out sugary foods without feeling unwell or compromising my ability to look after my child.

I lost some when ebf but the last half stone never went until babies were weaned.
I do think nature knows what it's doing and that it's putting the baby first by ensuring you have a healthy supply of milk.

It's really hard!

My lo is 18m now; we are still feeding. She feeds a lot too. All through the night and day haha.

I started my weight loss journey December 26th. I was mindful about breastfeeding as I didn't want that to stop.

I have cut my calories down and I use Nutracheck to do this; amazing app. I weigh most foods too. You'd be surprised how many calories are in milk, oils etc

I go to the gym three times a week to do a class like spin or LBT.

I try and do as many steps as I can a day and I was aiming for 10k steps daily but some days I only do 5k.

I have lost 1st 4!

I actually gained weight when I was breastfeeding. Breastfeeding left me ravenous. I would eat any and everything.
Lost all the weight after I stopped breastfeeding