breastfeeding and jogging - is it okay?

[Havana]

not at the same time obviously, but is it okay to go jogging if you are exclusively breastfeeding? I'm probably just making excuses not to get my lardy bum out the door, but I just haven't fancied jogging with milky boobs. However I really need to start doing some exercise (DD is 14 weeks now) and running was my thing before I got pregnant.

I asked a friend about this today, and she said it's your pelvic floor that you need to worry about when running, rather than your boobs. All very offputting!!! Can anyone offer any encouragement? Or would I be better off swimming?

my mate who has a degree in sports science says be careful (of stretch marks)- he says it would be better to power walk instead and do stretches to keep flexible

running when BF is perfectly OK. Like women who naturally have big boobs, a properly fitting sports bra, designed for heavy impact exercise, is the key (ie the halter top ones are not good; you need one that looks like a proper bra and cups each breast individually).

Stretch marks are hereditary and are NOT related to exerise!

The M&S sports bras are good.

You may hear a myth regarding lactic acid build-up in your milk during exercise - this has been shown to only be the case after more than 1 hour of exercising to exhaustion (ie by elite athletes).

All my running friends were back at it (gently!) at about 6 weeks.

Take it easy - your ligaments may still be a bit loose.

Oh, I'm jealous - can't wait to get back to exercising again........

Havana I am also a potential running feeder...DD 13 weeks and I have felt similarly to you. THe prospect of poor overworked bosoms being subjected to milkshake treatment does not appeal. But am missing running esp. as autumn on the horizon, crisp mornings etc....

Be good to know how you get on. Perhaps my lardy arse, too, will be inspired.

hmm, my bosoms are fairly ample at the best of times - i used to wear two bras for running, a proper one and a vest type one for good measure! yes i used to love an early morning run at this time of year, but unfortunately that would be out of the question at the mo as i'm still pretty leaky and uncomfortable until DD has fed a couple of times.

i might try an evening run some time and i'll let you know how it goes... but have just come back from a swim which was great as the pool was lovely and quiet. if you're wondering what DD gets up to, i'm taking advantage of the fact that DH is off work for five weeks!

I have a book called Running and Pregnancy published by Runner's World.
Basically the book makes the following points

'Breastfeeding adn running draw on your body's hydration levels so you need to be dringking lots and lots at all times.

Choose a good running bra and take it off as soon after your run as possible. If you leaked and your bra is stuck to your skin, moisten with warm water before taking off. Avoid nipples when you lather up in the shower.

Run on empty, ie feed before you run.
If you have to run first, ignore the stories about babies not accepting post exercise milk. Several studies show that babies readily accept their mothers milk after she has exercised.'

If anyone has any other pecific questions I'm more than happy to try and find the answers in the book.

Didnt give me stretch marks. Do run on empty, though! My pelvic floor is ok too.

mckenzie - does the book say how long should you leave it post-birth before you start running again? (in relation to loose ligamnets - I've been given a lot of conflicting info)

Highlander, the Runner's World book says "when you no longer bleed bright red, begin to add some running to your walking routine-assuming you've already secured your doctor's permission and start slowly, like after you've been injured"

I have another book, Exercising through your pregnancy by James F Clapp III, M.D. which is based on huge research and scientific evidence and is fairly new (2002) and he says "in the first few weeks after delivery, exercise causes the lax abdominal wall to bounvce and shift as well. Therefore during this time I recommend that a woman use either tights or an overgirth or both to support her abdomen.
The rule is start early and increase slowly"

For anyone wishing to do execise during and immediately after the pregnancy I would particularly recommend this second book. IT's very factual (the Runner's World one is more anecdotal) and I must confess, tells you exactly what you want to hear. I stopped running at 5 months with DS1 (carried on swimming and gym work outs) but after reading these books I am very happy and keen to run further through this pregnancy.

I'm currently on my third pregnancy and have run through all of them. Running while breast feeding wasn't a problem, although I always fed first. I also kept all runs under an hour until i was about 6 months post birth.

Blimey - so I have no excuses then! This is good to know (I think!). Thanks for all the info. Not sure if I can face spending loads on a bra just yet, so I think I'll stick with swimming while DH is off work.

thanks mckenzie - very useful!

I cannot wait to start up again.

I'm just 'bumping' this message for Chepstow1 to see as I dont know how to do a link.