5:2 and breast feeding

[NachoAddict]

I have had a look on the 5:2 website, it says not to do it if your breastfeeding.

my ds is 16 months and my milk is not his main source of nutrition, we feed after work, before bed, 10pm once or twice in the night and about 6am so still quite a lot but they are usually short feeds.

in this case would I be ok to start 5:2? I thought by breastfeeding mothers they probably meant those feeding a young baby?

Maybe consider feeding formula milk as well, and if you want to carry on with the breast feeding, use this as only a comfort thing, as I imagine it might mess up your milk supply. I'm no expert..I can't even remember what age formula-fed babies move onto cows milk! You must be knackered, though, still getting up to breast feed twice in the night!

My instinct would be to say yes, it's ok, but on the understanding that you know it might affect supply. I have in the past changed my eating habits (not following a strict diet per se) whilst breastfeeding but only once the baby is over a year old and more dependant on other foods and milk for nutrition, with the breast milk being mainly for comfort and a bit of added extra nutrition. Not very scientific, just instinct-based

We've had a number of breastfeeders on the main thread who've had absolutely no problem combining it with 5:2 - I they tend to up fast day calories a bit (maybe 600 to 800). I think the consensus was to wait until dc is a few months old.

You shouldn't have any problems with your 16mo and 5:2 at all and others haven't found any issues with their milk supply.

Quote here from one the earlier threads (now on the tips and links thread from a BF 5:2er literarygeek:

I am BF an almost 6 month old, who is very bonny and fat and happy. I have enough milk to feed the whole street. I have to express on order to sleep comfortably/ exercise comfortably.

There's also been a lot of research on women who have fasted for religious reasons - Ramadan and Yom Kippur- and there were no ill effects to either bubbas or mamas. And near in mind- those fasts involve no food or water so a much more restrictive scenario. I have posted the links to that research on the most recent 5:2 thread - yesterday I think. If you are interested, I will dig it out.

If you want to give this a go, eat proper food where you can. If you like ready meals, go for it, but do try and include as much veg as possible- it will fill you up. Try innocent veg pots or glorious soups for not many calories/ lots of goodness.

Don't do your 2 days in a row.

Fluids are your friend- particularly water and try herbal teas ( the pukka brand is good). Diet drinks are not your friend and kill your brain cells.

Thanks for all the advice. I thnk I will give it a go, very nervous so will have a read through the main threads.

Thanks again.

Thanks for all the advice.

That is a very good point about women who fast for religious reasons I hadn't even though about it.

Think ai will give it a go.

The female body is amazing - it will always nourish the child before anything else. It's very unlikely to have any effect on your milk production, but keep an eye on yourself and how you are feeling. If you feel dizzy or light headed, don't continue.

How is it going nacho? I'm bf an 18mo and been doing 5:2 for 3 weeks. 3kgs lost and DS and supply Seem fine.
Easiest diet I have done actually,...
Good luck!

Hi Trying

er I've not actually started yet as we were out on Sunday, will do a fast day tomorrow and one on Friday.

What do you eat on your fast days?

Evening!
On my FDs I'm a bit boring but tend to eat the same thing!!
I drink lots of water throughout the day and :
Breakfast: stop by pret a manger on my way to work and grab a spinach & boiled egg pot and a pot of mango (210 calories) and a double espresso.
Lunch - fruit/veg sticks, a banana, black / peppermint/ fruit tea (about 150 cals)
Supper - share a covent garden soup with my husband (about 130 cals)
My husband will consume another 100 cals from milk in his tea and coffee during the day.

So Long as I am busy it works really well.
Good luck!!

I started 5:2 in May when DS (who still feeds loads!) was 14 months old, I've lost a stone and I have never noticed any change in my supply. I'm not very strict on my fast days and probably have 600/700 cals. I save almost all my cals for an evening meal, which is just a small portion of whatever everyone else is having. My weight loss has plateaued for the last few weeks, so I might have to try some exercise as well. I'm well within the healthy BMI range now, but could lose a few more pounds and still not be underweight iyswim? Definitely try it, its really not as bad as you think!

I've been doing 5.2 since my baby was 8m and didn't really eat much. No impact on supply, although I think he was a bit windy after I basically consumed a kilo of kale and little else over 24 hours! I haven't upped fd calories either and try to exercise ever day, either doing a gym class or 4 mile walk with a double buggy.