Quick one - BF a 17 mo, can I diet as normal?

[1Catherine1]

Ok, so I've got fat again. I've put on over a stone in 4 months . Wanting to diet, and have in the past put it off due to BF. Now my DD is 17 mo and BF mainly for "mummy cuddles" to get to sleep or to calm her down. So can I diet as if not BF?

TIA

PS - Sorry for bursting in and asking questions, I used to hang around this forum quite often before I returned to work and DD started on solids.

Yes you can! She doesn't need you nutritionally, just emotionally so no probs at all. Hope it goes well.

I can't see why not. Eternally BFing DD2 didn't make me feel any hungrier than normal.

I'd just cut down what you eat gradually and see how you feel.

Tggr I always try to avoid saying this but I really disagree with your statement there. Baby is getting nutrition from breast milk and depending on the let down / suction / duration of feeds can be taking quite a substantial amount of fluids. Mums nipple isn't just a dummy and a sweeping generalisation like that seems very short sighted to the benefits of breastfeeding. I honestly don't want to start a BF debate but your post, as it stands, is entirely false.

OP I would advise keeping an eye on your fluid intake if you are exercising as part of your diet (i.e. stay well hydrated) and my cautious self would suggest steering clear of too much of a radical change in diet such as cutting out all carbs or swapping to lots of low-calorie sweetener-laden food and drinks, plus still keeping an eye on caffeine intake such as lots of coffee, energy drinks etc.

Gradual, sensible changes should be fine - but you will soon find out if there are any side effects (can only think that if you don't eat much fruit&veg usually but start on 5+ a day, little one may get windy or something - as a vague example?!)

Just a little heads up though, if your DC hasn't had any new teeth recently, they could be due some more about now - so you could confuse symptoms with that. (For example if they want to feed lots or not at all - could be teeth related rather than any response to milk changes of taste or supply)

Finally, if you don't already take a supplement, it might be an idea to look into one - just so you don't get depleted of anything. Also, don't be surprised if your body resists change or changes quicker than you expect - response to diet may be different while it's still in lactation mode :)

At 17 months the baby/child doesn't need to get nutrition from BF from Mum. They may, but if you stop BF so much, they will get nutrition from food and milk like the rest of us. And I BF until 18 months .