Running while breast feeding - yes/no?

[Pumpkin20]

I am thinking of taking up running but am breast feeding (dd is 5 weeks). Is this a good or bad idea?

Any advice or tips?

Apart from a seriously heavy duty sports bra (any recommendations for large sizes?) what else should I think about?

Many thanks,

Pumpkin

I did, but not as early as 5 weeks.
Strapped my 34F boobs down with 2 sports bras though, and tried to time runs for just after feeding time!
DD born March, and I ran the London Marathon when she was 13 months old, so it can be done
(I am no professional, btw, just someone who enjoyed a bit of running and then got dragged into the whole marathon thing, had never done one before)

I also want to run again, ds is 4 weeks (aren't they lovely, so little!).

No idea if it is ok.. But will try on weekend for light slow short run, straight after a feed.

It's fine - excercise won't affect your milk at all, so whether or not you are breastfeeding is irrelevant apart from the heavy duty sports bra issue . The bigger concern with running is whether you are recovered from the birth and the relaxin etc has left your system. I would consult a health professional for advice for this reason. If you haven't done any running before I would probably wait a bit longer TBH.

Some info here about the lactic acid levels in milk after running so best to run after a feed. I got my sports bra from bravissimo and I wear an aerobics top (tight crop top type thing) over the top (that's more to strap them down though - I'm rather large of nork!)

Won't you drop the baby?

I was going to say that it would be hard to get a good latch, but I was beaten to it .

nigglewiggle I've done loads of things while bfing, like cooking tea and signing for deliveries (you should see the van driver's faces) but never running.

I think you are right about the latch though, even with practice it would be really difficult.

at ineedasleep.
I started running when DD2 was a few months old, it made no difference to feeding but I used to like to go out early, and running with 'full' breasts is not fun.
I used to feed DD2 in her sleep at 6ish and then go straight out, was lovely and peaceful!

Baby might get a taste for milkshakes!

Sorry OP - i'll take my sillyness back to my sofa .

I have run regularly while breastfeeding ds2, sometimes with him in the 3-wheeler; He tends to have a slightly scared fixed stare on his face, I think he's worried we are going to crash! I wouldn't start high impact exercise until at least 8 weeks post-natal though and at least 2 weeks after your bleeding stops. It just didn't 'feel right' until then for me.

I just have a M&S high impact crop top style sports bra (34E). Seems fine.

I did a bit on the running machine once DD was 12 weeks. I was like Dolly Parton . I wore 2 sports bra's the second time I went.

OP - check your pelvic floor is up to the job first. Religiously do those pelvic floor exercises and slowly build up. To be honest, I didnt do running until DS1 was 9 months old (and I'd dropped down to morning and evening only bfs) and only just started again now DS2 is 11 months old. Before that I did postnatal buggy based workouts (see if there is something like that in your area - great for meeting new mums and getting workouts), post natal pilates and lots of walking to lose the baby weight safely and carefully. Good sports bras are critical as, in my case, were breast pads in the early days (oversupply issue)- and if poss I'd exercise after you have bf your baby (as will minimise risk of milk leakage)

I started running at 3 months after birth, to be honest it wasn't that comfy to begin with. I couldn't figure out if it was cos I had a c-section or pelvic floor. At any rate I had to take it easy for a while. Personally I would leave it a couple more weeks at least before trying and then take it very easy.

Don't do it, your milk will curdle

Oh yes, I have been told that gem!

Thank you so much for your tips, and for taking me literally - I'm sleep deprived and frazzled!

Not planning on doing anything until my 8 week check and I've purchased a suitable foundation garment (or 2) and the weather has improved slightly, but then I'll take to the road.

I've just started running again (ds now 12 weeks old) and am loving it. It feels so light and easy after running when pregnant .
I always make sure that I have just fed him before I go out. Oh and get yourself a good bra!