Losing weight whilst breastfeeding - is it possible?

[Pippinella]

Help! I'm breastfeeding a 3 month old and I have piled on a stone since he was born - I actually lost weight when pregnant and never looked better! Now I am so fed up, I'm much heavier than before pregnancy. This is my third baby and I don't remember piling on weight like this before.

Trouble is I'm constantly hungry as my boy is quite large and voracious, I obviously need the calories.

I'm feeling quite despairing about my weight but don't know what to do? Can I diet while breastfeeding or will my milk suffer?

Weightwatchers make allowances for breastfeeding when they calculate what you can have - I've not done it but know peole who have successfully when breastfeeding.

I think weight watchers and slimming world do take it in consideration. If you have a smartphone try my fitness pal app, it's free, and it's quite easy to use.

You may have heard this before, but maybe your body is confusing hunger and thirst, I was eating ridiculous quantities for the first few weeks after birth until I upped my drinking; suddenly I was not that awfully hungry. Also, I have discovered low calorie hot chocolate. Oh the joy of a chocolate orange drink without the ott fat! It's 60cal per mug so much better than a chocolate bar but really satisfying.

I have been using that app for a week and have lost 2 pounds. You can calculate breastfeeding within your daily consumption so get to enjoy 500 extra delicious calories

you can easily losr weight and still bf - you need to make sure you eat enough without eating too much.

I'm sure there must be advic online about what to eat.
i don't know if a general diet club would work, because you can't afford to reduce your calories too much.

I agree with what meta says about thirst - when you sit down to feed, have a massive glass of water before you eat, because that might stop you feeling hungry.

some info from babycentre

Thanks for that link nickel, and the other replies ladies. Its interesting about the thirst thing - I'm thinking I could up my intake, i tend to have a cup of tea when I'm thirsty, I'm going to try a pint of water instead next time.

Warm drinks can be easier to drink than cold water. I have recently become a fan of red fruits squash, diluted with boiling water.. I was overdoing it with the tea before that.

I am bf-ing a 7mo and doing weightwatchers and have so far lost 19lbs (since mid dec)

Have another half stone to go. Really pleased with how it's going!

someone on another thread suggested having a large thermos flask full of your favourite warm drink (she had herbal tea, which would be the most refreshing i think) so that you've always got a warm drink with you.

I drink about 4 pints of water every day - when i was pg and also after birth, i drank even more than that! but my thirst has gone down a lot now.