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Infant feeding

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

Breast Feeding and exercise

9 replies

sunshine75 · 03/02/2009 19:26

Okay, before Dd I did loads of exercise. Ran about 50 miles a week and did 4 or 5 circuits/spinning classes on top of that (how did I do it? Will I ever have a stomach that flat again?)

Anyway Dd is now 9 months and I'm still bf .... but..... despite trying to get back to full fitness I can't. I'm running 4/5 times a week but not getting any faster or going any further. I'm just knackered. Dd is sleeping much better now so it's not lack of sleep.

Has anyone else tried to do reasonably hard exercise while bf? Is this the reason for my slowness and tiredness. I don't mind just joggling around for another couple of months until I stop bf - but just want to know if this is the reason.

OP posts:
SweetEm · 03/02/2009 20:23

I've no idea whether breastfeeding stops you getting to full fitness. But I am bf and have not regained my pre-baby fitness level yet (ds is 10 mths). Though I suspect this may be because I am not pushing myself hard enough!

maygirl · 03/02/2009 23:11

Hi. I used to do lots of gym and running before DS (2.5), and got back into it soon after, doing a half marathon when he was 7 mths and BF. But still not as fit as before as I just don't have the same amount of time to devote to it, runs and classes are slotted in. Whereas before DS, would spin and if felt good could just stay and do another class or hit the treadmill, now I rush home. Running, I used to go to a club, where would be pushed to do speed work or hills, or go with my much faster DH, now just head out on my own for 30-60 mins steady.

Even when they're sleeping at night, we're not getting lie-ins, or much rest during the day!

If you're not doing so many of the high intensity classes anymore, may effect your running speed and stamina, it does for me.
Adding a spin class once or twice a week has increased my running pace.

So in my case, I don't think its BF, just having different priorities.

Maybe have your iron levels tested, as if you're a bit anaemic after pregnancy/birth could be a factor in tiredness, but I'm sure you'll be back to full fitness soon, its still early days. Its not just the 9 mths since having your DD, your fitness will have declined a bit during pregnancy too.
I felt my fitness had taken a huge hit and that I wasn't improving; did 2h30 for half marathon when DS 7mths, when before having him I'd had done 1h54. But a year later I did 2h06, and hoping to get closer to pre-preg time next month. Still BF, and doing nowhere near the amount of exercise I used to, but getting there back there slowly!

lljkk · 04/02/2009 10:57

You're knackered because you're a mum, sunshine (sorry, hard truth!).

NotQuiteCockney · 04/02/2009 11:00

I found I didn't feel like exercising much until my kids were sleeping through. I breastfed DS2 until he was 3.5, but was quite fit (for me, anyway) for the last year or so of that.

iamaLeafontheWind · 04/02/2009 11:09

Could it be a balance and efficiency thing? I've just started to get back to martial arts after easy pregnancy & birth, DD is 5.5mths. I've been really shocked at how differently my body moves, although i can remember what is supposed to happen, it's not quite right & my balance points are different (looks at large BF norks ). With running, balance & smooth movement can have such a huge effect on times.

weasle · 04/02/2009 11:35

never been as fit as you sunshine, but am also frustrated by my plodding runs.

ds 13 months and still bf. however had a week of him sleeping through the night 2 weeks ago and my 5km time was 2mins 30sec faster for the 3 runs i did. He is back to waking again now , and too tired to run at all!

i'm not sure it is just bf, agree about the other things too. Certainly finding time to run is hard, and i lack motivation too.

big respect for half marathons maygirl, how do you find the time to train?!

weasle · 04/02/2009 11:36

i mean I am too tired to run at all, he seems to have plenty of energy on minimal sleep

sunshine75 · 04/02/2009 15:07

Bugger, I wanted you all to say it was bf. Guess I just need to try harder!!

OP posts:
maygirl · 04/02/2009 21:29

Had more time to train for the first half marathon after birth as still on mat leave! Harder now, get by on maybe 1 run a week and 0-3 gym sessions, then a spurt of training last month before the race! Norks never got that big, so no balance issues, though did have to wear 2 bras for the race at 7mths, and grabbed him at the end to feed!

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