appetite and BF

[kittycat37]

Hi everyone,
My youngest DD is very nearly 4mnths and BF on demand. With eldest DD (3yrs) I only managed to BF for 10 wks so have no experience of what has happened in the last few days which is my appetite has gone completely crazy - I'm totally insanely hungry ALL the time and have managed to eat a frightening amount - has anyone else had this and could it be because DD is having a growth spurt? I also feel completely and utterly drained and exhausted even though I had 7hrs sleep last night. I don't really know if she's feeding more as it's always been on demand and variable but I think she's been feeding longer at each feed. Anyone else had this at 4months?

I have this all the way through bf - its your body telling you to eat more so go with it. The composition of the milk could be changing as she gets older as well.

I finmd when I'm feeding I have to eat enormous amounts of calories and fat tbh or I lose an unhealthy amount of weight.

I did go through mental phases of eating stupid amount when BF and just went with it as my weight stayed fairly steady. I would go with it, unless you see a knock on effect with your weight. Fab excuse for eating all the cakes you want guilt free

thanks omnishambles - that's reassuring. I was feeling a bit guilty about how much I was eating (and started a thread elsewhere about that last night after a bad encounter with chocolate biscuits) but today I realised that I just feel like I'm going to pass out if I don't keep piling in the calories. The weight has been coming off steadily anyway so I guess going with the appetite is the way to go.

Thanks cookinmama - today I made 12 big strawberry and white chocolate muffins with eldest DD and she ate 1 and I've eaten 11 - but I'm starving now and about to eat tuna steak and pasta. It's just so weird..I feel like I've been taken over by an alien.

I had this all along. Was cramming cakes and toast in whever possible or I thought I would faint! Good news is that not only did I not put on weight, I actually lost it. I know it may not work that way for everyone but for me breastfeeding definitely did the trick for losing the pregnancy weight, and a a bonus I have been able to eat like a pig too. Just go for it!

Me too, initially the pregnancy weight just melted away but since then I've eaten like a mad thing and stayed the same weight! Enjoy it .

I am hungry all the time, I wake up hngry and go to bed hungry.

Just go with it, if you feel hungry eat, your body is very clever at telling you what it needs.
Well done on keeping up the breastfeeding.

I was talking about this just today with a group of mums - we all agreed that we were starving whilst breastfeeding and really craved sugary things and saturated fat. I'm still BF DD and in the evenings I absolutely have to have a cookie or chocolate. It is a stronger craving than anything I had in pregnancy.

My weight has stabalised at around 1stone over what I was before I got pregnant though which I'm happy with (was very underweight before I got pregnant) so I think the chocolate cravings are natural. Enjoy!

I just eat too much. Am 2 stone over pregnancy weight. None of my work clothes fit me and due to go back in 2 months

Wish I could eat less, but am always hungry. Have put on weight since he was born.

I am Hank Marvin.

I am also greedy but that's a different thread.

I am hungry most of the time, but one thing I have started doing is having a glass of water before I eat something as we (apparently) often mistake thirst for hunger. This has helped a little. :)