LESS CALORIES=LESS MILK?

[gillythekid]

I put on 4 stone whilst pregnant, lost 2 with no effort but still have 2 to go but am still bf, DS is now 7 months. I have very few clothes to wear and get upset when people think I'm expecting. I've made a few changes to my diet this week, nothing extreme just spray oil, Nimble bread, less treats etc but my milk supply has really dwindled. I'd love to feed him till he's one but I'm miserable and have a sore back being fat and wonder if I have to give up bf in order to lose the flab. Some mums on here think that cutting down on calories shouldn't affect supply but I can't see any other reason why I'm able to express so little.

When you are stressed out it is very difficult to express - period!

Also when your baby gets to seven months your boobs normalise in size so it can seem like they are flatter (mine have every time).

I've just lost about two stone in two months (Paul Mckenna CDs incidentally) and my milk supply has been fine. I don't understand why you'd want to eat diet foods though - eat what you like, but just eat till you are not hungry anymore. It's what you do every single day that counts.

You'll get there - I gained 4 stone with my first baby and it took till 10 months to lose it all, but it did go!

Why do yuo have to express at all?
Is it a recent move?
If so, that might be why not.It takes practice.Also, some women can't get much this way which doesn't mean they don't have enough milk.It is removed by a baby in a different way.

I could never express much but b/fed for 30 months.

Even women on the verge of starvation can breastfeed.

I believe the amount you can express is not a good indication of your supply (a baby is far more efficient than a pump, plus post 6 months or so it tends to be harder to express anyway). So if this is the only thing making you think your supply is suffering, fret not!! Are there any other reasons for thinking this?

Well done for losing the 2 stone!

Been expressing since day one! He has always had bottles at night so I express at 7 and 11, usually getting 200ml at each sitting, I'm lucky to get 120ml in the last few days.
I lost a stone overnight after giving birth and the other stone came off with no effort in the first 3 weeks! DS is getting a bit grumpy when I feed him, I just know he isn't getting as much as usual. I'm sooooo hungry after feeding and I have very low blood sugar resulting in migraine if I don't eat.

The way to make more is quite simply to feed more!
Supply and demand.

Ah the 'grumpy when feeding' thing - yes they do that - it's often teething, or just that they are too darn interested in looking at every sodding thing in the room apart from your boobs (I've stared at them for months mum and the cat is washing his bum over there etc. )

You may well be thirsty - if you are starving yourself it's not going to do anything but slow your metabolism and make you fatter, if you are hungry eat! Make sure you have a drink too whenever you feed.

Oh I'd never starve myself and I always eat when hungry as I know this won't benefit anyone!

Your milk will be the last thing to go when you're on a diet, don't worry about it. I put on at least 3 stone when pg (weighed at 38w but went 11 days over so was undoubtedly heavier). I've now lost 4 stone in 5.5 months, my milk is fine. I am a lot thirstier than pre-pg so I make sure I drink a lot.

I assume baby is on solids now too which usually means a decrease in supply.

Keep drinking plenty of fluids. Also, try to include oats in your diet. They are supposed to be good for milk supply and yet are healthy .