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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

If you couldn't lose or put on weight while BF, did it drop off when you cut down or stopped? (PLEASE say yes...!)

34 replies

Monkeybird · 10/03/2008 12:32

Have tried (well, probably a bit half-heartedly since STARVING most of the time) and failed to shift any of my extra (mumble) stones while exclusively BF.

Did manage to shift some after previous babies when BF finished but can't remember whether it is easier, harder or what. I'm hoping for a. lots of reassuring stories about it just melting off when you stopped or cut down, and/or b. some science to suppor this...?

For example, I just read (in New Scientist) someone saying that if you starve some animals, they put on weight cos the body becomes more efficient at holding fat and converting stuff into fat when under starvation conditions. Ha ha, trust me to turn this into a desperate explanation for extra blubber, but it does sound like a plausible evolutionary option to me

or perhaps I should just try to give up my chocolate habit now...

OP posts:
swallowsandamazons · 10/03/2008 12:40

I lost weight once i gave up bf, but mainly because my boobs vanished!!! I gave up the bf diet as well just a little before i gave up i think this helped. Eat a big breakfast its the only way to lose weight.

weasle · 10/03/2008 12:59

i put on weight when bf both times, so now am bigger than just after the birth! I seem to have a ravenous desire for cake and chocolate; i usually don't eat either! with ds1 i lost all my pg weight and more after i stopped bf (and went back to cycling/running to work). then i got pg again...

artichokes · 10/03/2008 13:03

How long have you been BF?

For the frist 5 months I thought that it was a total myth that BF helps you loose weight, then DD started to get really big and kept drinking more and more. Suddenly the weight started to drop off. After 9 months of BF I was a stone below my pre-pregnancy weight.

My problems began when I gave up BF. By then I was used to having my own human liposuction machine and was rudely reminded I needed to watch what I ate if I wanted to continue to keep my weight down.

Original poster
Monkeybird · 10/03/2008 13:07

nearly 7 months... he is feeding like mad now - weaning very slow so hoping that will help!

OP posts:
Gill79 · 10/03/2008 13:17

chocolate and cakes... chocolate and cakes. DS is six weeks old and I've been putting on weight since the birth. The idea of losing pregnany weight now is laughable!

hairtwiddler · 10/03/2008 13:20

Well I certainly looked thinner when my boobs went down from a K cup to a G!!!

TiddlerTiddler · 10/03/2008 13:21

I am the exact same as weasel. My lightest weight is when I leave the hospital and then it just goes up and up. Starving all the time and never hungry for carrots, just chocolate.

Also, I think the lack of sleep makes you hungry for sugar rush too to give you energy boost.

And the weight did come off the last time too - again once I started exercising more. I am hoping for the same again this time around as am up a stone on pre-preg weight at the moment.

artichokes · 10/03/2008 13:21

Just checked my diary MB. I am 5ft 10oz - at 7 months I weighed 11 stone 13lbs, at 10 months I weighed just under 11 stone. I was not dieting at all but did walk everywhere.

Mikafan · 10/03/2008 13:24

I'm hoping the same Monkeybird because I've not lost any weight and I'm still breastfeeding and my DD is 10.5 months - fingers crossed for us hey?

Brangelina · 10/03/2008 13:25

If your body gets used to being starved your metabolism slows down in order to conserve energy, irrespective of whether you're bfeeding or not. Which is the reason many diets don't work. Upping your exercise will help give your metabolism a boost.

katyjo · 10/03/2008 13:27

Definately lost weight and felt more normal after I stopped bf (about 12months). I did loose about a stone when weaning though.
Try not to worry if you have the time and put your mind to it the weight will come off easily. I found 7 months is quite a demanding time, when your lo starts crawling and walking the weight will come off more easily as you will be more active.

xxx

mrsruffallo · 10/03/2008 13:28

I put on weight posy pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, but lost it again both times once I stopped

Pannacotta · 10/03/2008 13:33

I found I lost weight after introducing solids (and also when my periods started again) rather than stopping breastfeeding, ie when I wasnt the sole source of food.
With both of mine at around the 7/8 month mark I got back to pre-pregnancy weight more or less.

Sputnik · 10/03/2008 13:45

That happened to me Monkeybird, and I'm only managing to lose a bit now he is eating some solids.

What you mentioned is called starvation mode, google that for info. Basically you need to work out your calorie requirements (don't forget to factor in something for bf), then boringly count calories to know whether you are in starvation mode or not. Exercise will help boost your metabolism, especially muscle building.

Original poster
Monkeybird · 10/03/2008 13:47

thanks - there's still hope for a come-back then!? I guess I'd also forgotten that it's just easier to get out of the house and exercise a bit more once weaning gets underway. Hmm, must remember to actually DO that...

OP posts:
Mikafan · 10/03/2008 13:52

I'm back at work full-time Moneybird and expressing 3 times a day at work and its made naff all difference to my weight loss

Original poster
Monkeybird · 10/03/2008 18:47

any one else (bumping for evening)? need LOTS of people to say, oh yes, it'll just drop off when he weans...

OP posts:
littleducks · 10/03/2008 18:51

yes even though i was stopping as pg again, dd was 15 months and eating well it seemed to be hormonal to me

tummytickler · 10/03/2008 19:22

Cant give you an answer i am afraid, but i am also hoping that i will shift a huge amount of weight when i stop bfing. I have been bfing ds for 7 monthsnow and have lost exactly zero weight. I walk everywhere, only use car once a week or so so i am getting plenty of exercise BUT i am STARVING all of the time for sweet things ( iam not a big sweet person usually).
I will be keeping a close eye on this thread!
Good luck - i am convinced it will drop off very soon!!!!

JoyS · 10/03/2008 19:22

I felt like my body was just hanging on to the extra fat while I was breastfeeding, because I didn't do anything different food or exercise-wise when I stopped (18 months) and it just went. Was back at pre-pregnancy weight in 2 weeks, very weird.

Pregnant again now so I suppose it'll happen just the same!

liath · 10/03/2008 19:26

I've suddenly lost weight in the last couple of months (ds is nearly 11 months) and wasn't really trying, I just seemed less hungry. Just hope it stays off!

Onlyaphase · 10/03/2008 19:31

I lost weight in the 2 weeks immediately after giving birth, then nothing more for ages. After DD was 6 months it gradually came off (about a stone), and after I stopped BF at 13 months I lost about another 7lb without trying

Do you feel better now?

BumperliciousIsStillNotDressed · 10/03/2008 19:33

Hoping for the same MB. I seem to have completely lost the power to resist anything.

jellyrolly · 10/03/2008 19:51

I only lost weight after I had stopped breastfeeding ds1.

Been breastfeeding ds2 for 6 months and have the same extra stone that I had the first time.

My gp has just put me on an elimination diet for food allergy - only certain veg and fruit and nuts - and guess how much weight I've lost in a week? None! (Bearing in mind chocolate and biscuits were daily feasts before.)

Just goes to show that your body will keep what it needs when you bf. Don't worry, it will go!

jumpyjan · 10/03/2008 19:54

Yes - I lost weight once I stopped breastfeeding. Combination of decreased appetite (for mars bars) and able to take up running and a bit of exercise without leaking everywhere!