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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

any breastfeeding runners out there???

19 replies

Chepstow1 · 23/10/2004 17:19

Hi - I am a new Mum and have just started up running again after a few weeks off towards the tail end of pregnancy. I have been trying to get some good info anything I should be aware of when running and breastfeeding. Concerns I have are over rumours I have heard about milk supply being affected by running, lactic acid affecting taste, and that I should only be running for a maximum duration of time (no mention of distance).
Anyone out there managed to keep up a regular running pattern and breastfeed, any tips for me?? Anything I should aviod?? Am I OK to just carry on as normal.....

Any info would be gratefully received as I am getting mixed info from those who run (and say everything is fine) and those that don't and say that I should do this, and should not do that etc.

Thanks!

OP posts:

hercules · 23/10/2004 17:41

readthis

mckenzie · 23/10/2004 19:07

There si also a previous thread about this Chepstow1 which i'll try and find for you later.

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 23/10/2004 22:08

Thanks v.much. This confirms my own thoughts but you never know and the best people to talk to are those that have done it or know something about it!!

I have just found, that being pregnant and enjoying running seem to be incompatable in the eyes of many - e.g it is worse than eating camembert than to go for a run.....

I'd appreciate any more views, info if any one has it as my main concern is doing the right thing.

I had this baby via IVF and have had some comments that maybe I needed the treatment because I was a runner. I want to do the best for my baby, do not want to tell the "running police that actually I have PCOS"..

Thanks so much for your views

OP posts:

ChicPea · 23/10/2004 22:14

I am not a runner but I would have thought that as long as you give your body the calories it needs for producing breastmilk, running and getting through the day, you should be fine.
P.S. Where do you find the energy to run??!!!!

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 23/10/2004 23:23

I don't go for too long or everyday, but for me you I find for every minute that I manage to get out, I can stay awake longer during those long nights!!!

Some people need to get their hair done or a good half day of retail therapy, for me it's 20 mins round the park..

OP posts:

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 24/10/2004 09:42

I don't go for too long or everyday, but for me I find for every minute that I manage to get out, I can stay awake longer during those long nights!!!

Some people get their peace/relaxation from a book, bath, or get their hair done/some retail therapy. Right now it's 20 mins round the park for me..!!

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 24/10/2004 10:34

I'm dying to start running again ... I had to stop a few months in because of nasty lower abdominal pain (round ligaments I think).

Last time around, I nursed to 18 months, and did some running in that time. The only time exercise seemed to interfere with nursing was when I did a really brutal rock-climbing course. I did two consecutive six-hour days of really heavy new exercise, with very very sore muscles afterwards. Afterwards, ds1 fussed and rejected the breast. So it can be a problem, but you have to really push it.

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 24/10/2004 11:01

Thanks for the messages. Very helpful.

I have a place for the London marathon - have done it twice before and found the training hard work but not so bad that I haven't wanted to do it again. Wondering whether I should be setting expectations with myself that doing it this year may not be as easy as before. Obviously fitting in training will be harder, but also I need to be much more careful on nutrition/rest etc. Anyone done a marathon or anything with endurance requirements within 6 months of giving birth?

OP posts:

mckenzie · 24/10/2004 14:08

Chepstow1 - I found the other thread that i was talking about and i've bumped it up so hopefully you'll see it. ISorry but dont know how to do a link.

zebra · 24/10/2004 14:51

Supposedly, one of DH's distant cousins ran a marathon 6 weeks after having a baby.
I ran all the way thru 2 pregnancies, & cycled (34 miles round trip 2 an antenatal appt. at 34 weeks). The consultants & midwife knew & only made approving noises at me. There is a lot of rubbish misinformation about exercise & pregnancy/br'feeding; I could write a book on this subject.

Just try 2 run after U feed, 4 your own comfort.

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 24/10/2004 16:27

Thanks zebra and mckenzie. I'll get out some more and do what feels right. Not found the thread that you mentioned mckenzie and sorry (probably being dull) but not sure what you meant about bumping it up. Could you explain, I'd be really interested in reading it. Thanks again

OP posts:

zebra · 24/10/2004 16:32

4 the tread McK meant, Click here , Chepstow. If U click on the "Active Conversations" link at top of the page, "bumping it up" means putting a tread 2 the top of that list. HTH.

mckenzie · 24/10/2004 19:35

thanks Zebra. Can you tell me how to do a link please?

kalex · 24/10/2004 19:38

Whats running!!?? Only joking, have to agree that as long as your calorie count matches what you are burning you are fine.

zebra · 24/10/2004 19:45

HI McKenzie try this thread to show you how to do links. The trick is, keep previewing until you get it right.

Original poster

Chepstow1 · 24/10/2004 20:39

Big thanks Zebra - just put some new club hits on my MP3 and been out for a great run in the rain, and got soaked to the skin!! Fan-bleedin-tastic. Feel great. Really appreciate the advice and support here.

OP posts:

Mog · 25/10/2004 14:41

I'm 4 weeks post birth with my third baby and have started running again - very gentle at first, light jog really. I've done this after all my babies and the only thing I do is make sure I go just after a breastfeed for my own comfort. Babies have never indicated they don't like the milk(!) and I think the lactic acid thing is a bit of an outdated study now.
The other thing i would say is that I tried to get back too soon after my first baby and ended up with lower back pain for a few months (never get injured). I put this down to your body still producing the hormone which causes everything to relax and stretch during childbirth and therefore ligaments etc are more 'loose'. So be gentle on yourself.

Pidge · 25/10/2004 15:11

chepstow1 - totally agree with zebra that you'll hear all sorts of rot about exercising and breastfeeding. The main thing is to listen to your body and do what you find comfortable. And well done on getting out there and doing something - you'll feel much better for it. As you say - exercise generates energy rather than sapping it.

weeboagie · 28/10/2004 20:15

I ran up to 4 mths pregnant but had to stop due to lower ab pain (too much weight on ligaments I think). Started with gentle jog when dd was 4 weeks and felt as if my insides were going to fall out! Stopped and focussed on pelvic floor exercises and have now started again when dd is 7 weeks and so far so good. I've found that the perfect time to run is when dh comes back from work, I've just given dd a feed and dh can bath her and have some quality time while I run. I too got plenty of dissaproving comments re exercise when I was pregnant as I continued with aerobics (low impact) and resistance training right up to 8.5 months but I had the best pregnancy of all the people I know and still had bags of energy at the end so don't listen to old wives tales just do what your body tells you.

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