Running and breastfeeding?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Not simultaneously!

1. Given that my ligaments are still soft(?) should I be ok to start running again - if I start slow run/walk kind of thing.

2. Does exercise really make your milk nasty? Just went for 30min brisk walk, and DD is not complaining

BTW Have "passed" my 6 week postnatal "check"

I started running at about 6 weeks

Well, when I say running...more of a speed stagger than anything else.

No ill effects or complaints from ds2.

I started back running at about 6 months but was still bf-ing alongside weaning. Got a shock absorber running max support bra. My pelvic floor felt dodgiest bit (though had been fine with walking etc), but gradually got back to being fine. Go for it and see how you go.

I think the relaxin will be noticeable but if you make sure you watch your balance and that you place your feet properly when running etc you should be fine. It is possible that if you have any biomechanical issues these could be exacerbated when running in the early days, but I think it would only be if you were to really put in the mileage now.

According to research you have to be really thrashing it out, eg interval training, for any lactic acid to be present in your breastmilk apparently so I suspect you will be fine. In any case, more recent studies suggest that lactic acid doesn't really present itself in breastmilk. Anyway, who says that babies don't like the taste of breastmilk with lactic acid in?

Seriously though, as a runner who ran after each of my four children, watch that pelvic floor more importantly as the pressure on it before it has returned to its pre-pregnancy state can cause irreparable harm. Consider things like speed walking, cycling and swimming with more focus on core work in the early months and then ease back into running.

I've started doing EA sports on the Wii and am going to start the couch to 5k thingy tonight so am taking it pretty easy (bit depressing too but I'm sure I'll get fit again eventually).

re my pelvic floor - I have had no problems with it at any point - would running make things worse, or as I have no issues should I be fine?

I think running can affect it adversely so it is worth doing extra pelvic floor work if you are going to start running.

Well, I went for my first run/walk yesterday and all seems fine. I would have thought the act of running itself would strengthen your pelvic floor?

how is it going so far?
dd is six months now and I started running again when she was 4 months old. I aim to run twice a week in the evening when dh can entertain the kids. I only started at 4 months because my pelvic floor only then did not feel funny anymore.
Ooh, I enjoy the half hour just for myself