To stop breastfeeding because of this?

[Octoo]

Currently breastfeeding DS2 who is now 5 months old. Since the birth I have lost a lot of weight (15kg) so that I am now at the very low end of a healthy BMI.
I feel like I can't discuss this with people in real life because they think I'm bragging about the rapid postpartum weight loss but quite frankly I look dreadful! I don't look (or feel) healthy at all.

Have had bloods done and everything is perfectly within range. Have any other mums gone through this and have any tips? Did you continue breastfeeding?
I know the obvious answer is to increase calorie intake but I am eating loads already. Breastfeeding is going so smoothly otherwise but I'm now starting to consider stopping at 6 months. Feeling guilty because I breastfed for much longer with DS1.

AIBU to consider stopping breastfeeding when health seems to be fine and the only issue is weight loss?

This happens to me, I drop about -5kg from the day I give birth but only 5kg from pre baby. I was borderline underweight/healthy before starting.

Starting solids doesn't seem to make a difference, nor does dropping feeds or not (DC1 &2 nursed and eat very differently). I've not had a break in nursing but the only thing that's made me really put weight on is pregnancy, I wonder what will happen when I stop.

Sorry 15kg from birth

This happened to me except even worse, I went just into the underweight category. I don't know why because I felt I was eating plenty and certainly wasn't going hungry or doing anything purposeful. I did have a vit D deficiency picked up in bloods which the GP gave me supplements for, not that that would have affected my weight. I wasn't really bothered by it tbh, I was more concerned that I got soo many bad viral infections whilst breastfeeding, I was ill so often and frequently for long periods (say 2 weeks of illness rather than a standard week) and so badly that DH had to take some time off work on a couple of occasions to care for the baby as I was so ill. I gradually weaned DC on to formula and was completely done after 10 months. I gradually put some weight on over the next few months and went back to my pre-pregnancy (healthy) weight and stopped getting ill constantly too.

Similar happened with DS1 but I was heavier to begin with so took longer to get to this stage. I'm now at 52 kg and pre DCs always hovered around 58kg. The initial drop was rapid with both and the midwives commented both times that I didn't look like I'd just had a baby. Friends/family also remark there is 'nothing of me' etc which feels weird to complain about and hate that I can't chat about it in real life!! Glad to hear that loads of you have been through similar 😊
I do love breastfeeding and thank you to the PP who reminded me of all the hurdles it can help to get through - I'm going to make a big effort to increase calories, might give protein shakes a try and will definitely give mince pies a try!!

Yanbu and every pregnancy is different. If you think that stopping breast feeding may help then do it. I plan to stop at 6 months too.

So you just need to eat loads when breast feeding, everyone has a different metabolism. I went down to 7st 2lb (dunno what that is in kg) with my first DS - just need to get more calories in. I just went with high calorie versions of everything- so full fat butter, yoghurt etc. Add cream to stuff, add avocado, add cheese. And remember to drink plenty of water x

This happened to me with DC1 (but not DC2!). I was back in pre-preg clothes at 10 days and two dress sizes down on pre-preg at 6 months. It didn't last, but hey. I would say keep it up but if you're eating low fat, you have an obvious solution available. It doesn't have to be unhealthy fats either.

I lost 12kg whilst breastfeeding. I went to the gp too as I was worried but I'm all good 1 year after stopping (stopped when she was 17 months) and weight is slowly creeping back on :(

Just to clear up - when I said absolutely zero low fat I meant that everything we eat in our family is full fat version already!
With regards to exercise what did you all do?
When I was breastfeeding DS1 I was told I should be doing cardio to improve tachycardia but I was so scared of losing more weight I ignored the advice. Now don't work out at all..

Just increase carb / fat intake. Basically eat everything that someone trying to loose weight ,has to restrict.

This

You need your thyroid checked. There is a not uncommon condition called post partum thyroiditis.

I said yanbu because it's entirely your choice when you feel the time is right and you don't need to justify it to anyone!

But I think there's a few things I'd want to rule out first. I'd want to see how your wee one goes with solids, ds is 11mths and he takes about 4 feeds a day now which is much less than he would have. I would consider your calorie intake and maybe track your diet if you haven't already. I know I find it hard sometimes to get the time to eat well and I've gone the opposite way as a result! But I'm trying to plan my meals and make a packed lunch for the next day so that I've the right things to hand. Could you do something similar and even set yourself an alarm if you find you're forgetting to eat? I did find that with weaning ds ate better when I ate with him anyway. And it could be maybe that you add in more Snacks in between your meals. They don't need to be unhealthy but maybe something that's got a good amount of healthy fats and calories. Could you ask the gp for help from a dietician around meal planning for yourself?

The other question is if you're just doing too much? Do you need to reflect on the amount you're doing in a day because I know some days by the time I've looked after ds, done dinner, done housework I haven't really sat down all day. But if you're running at that level all the time then you will lose weight.

I think if you've worked through all of that and things still don't feel right then you've really done all you can..ultimately you're the cog that keeps baby's wheels turning so if its affecting you in other ways like exhaustion then you do need to look after yourself as well.

maybe take centrum-vitamins//whatever the recommended pp/bf ones are. drink milkshakes (i hate milk-but if you can/brings aw the boys to yard)

I had this issue and I added small amounts of high fat foods. I basically started eating things I wouldn't normally eat like fried foods, cream, etc. Healthy fats are better, like avocado and olive. Protein shakes help too. I didn't need to do it very long so it didn't cause an issue, just got me through until DC weaned.

I was going to suggest having your thyroid checked, as pregnancies mucked mine up, but you’ve already done that!

I agree with the dietary suggestions, I also lost weight when bf, seemed to burn up every calorie.

If you want to stop, stop. There's no right or wrong reason. You sound like you like BF though, so you could always cut down - replace some feeds with formula; so that the stress in your body is lessened. Eating loads of fat may help with your weight loss but it also may cause health issues further down the line - the amount of sugar, cholesterol etc won't be good for you!

I still breastfeed my 18 month old. As a result of a virus over the last week and not wanting to eat much, I've lost 2kg in that time from reduced calories + breastfeeding. I'm now 9kg under my pre-pregnancy weight, which was only 57kg.

You don't necessarily need to eat a lot more, you could just add in relatively unnoticeable high calorie things, like ground nuts to cereal or nut butters. Some bacon if you're having an egg sandwich, etc. Extra chocolate.

I've dropped about 10kg breastfeeding but I was overweight to begin with and still am! I'm eating so much sugary food that I'm craving and finding it amazing I've lost anything.
Yanbu to stop breastfeeding for any reason though.

He has sucked all the fat out of you!
I agree your supply will drop when he eats more. You can stop bf for whatever reason you like but I think it will naturally reduce very soon anyway so if I were you I wouldn't introduce the hassle of bottles at the same time as the hassle of cleaning up baby food mess 3x a day!

Yes this happened to me . It’s hard isn’t it - you want to keep feeding but also you must take care of yourself. My heels split and my hair went brittle too so I went to see a pharmacist who recommended some breastfeeding supplements. They made a real difference x

I lost a lot of weight rapidly with both children.
I remember the 5 month mark in particular with DS1. I'd lost the baby weight ages ago, was back at work, months of lack of sleep had taken their toll, DS was BF loads. Someone remarked that I must have worked hard to lose the weight so quickly. Honestly, that could not have been further from my mind. I realise she was projecting her own weight insecurities. I actually felt a bit insulted, as if I was prioritising weight loss.
DS was at a nursery on site which meant I could BF at lunch time. I would go to the work canteen, have a proper meal, go over to nurse DS then grab a Magnum on the way back because I was hungry. Honestly, I felt like missing the middle man out and pouring the Magnum straight down his throat!

I remember been at the surgery with 2 week old DS2 and someone asked if he was my mine. Eh? Errrr yes. Apparently I didn't look like I'd just had a baby.

I don't know what I weighed, but I've always been at the low end of the BMI range so probably was a bit underweight. But my healthy adult weight has always been about the same so I knew it would slowly go back on.

DS1 is over 6 foot and DS2 is going the same way. There's not much of me so I guess it makes sense that my body had to work hard to keep up with their demands.

Personally I wouldn't stop breastfeeding unless you want to. I am not convinced this is purely breastfeeding related and therefore you would regret stopping if the weight loss doesn't stop. I would go back to the GP and ask for more tests and try and up calories with healthy fats.

If you actually want to stop breastfeeding though then do :)

I second the thyroid thing. This happened to me. It wasn’t bad enough to require treatment (becusse uk is crap with thyroid issues!) but it definitely affected my metabolism. I also found it very difficult to get to sleep.

I had similar OP. It was just breastfeeding burning loads of calories.
My GP was concerned enough to run bloods for thyroid and cancer. Plus I had a small lump checked which was found to be a lipoma.
The regular midwife I’d seen while I was pregnant didn’t recognise me two weeks after birth as I’d lost so much weight!

I actually found it a bit awkward as I couldn’t ask advice from friends who’d found it hard to lose weight post partum. I struggled to find advice on the internet about losing too much weight breastfeeding.
I stopped breastfeeding around 11 month. DS is 13 months now and I’m still a stone lighter than pre pregnancy.
My only advice is to try to get calories where you can.
I ate chocolate every night and had lots of relatively healthy snacks like nuts and high calorie things like avocado or peanut butter on toast. I also mainlined biscuits!

DS1 is over 6 foot and DS2 is going the same way. There's not much of me so I guess it makes sense that my body had to work hard to keep up with their demands.

@CharlotteBog Similar situation here, both DD and DS tower over me and I was SO skinny/hungry when bf. 🤣