5:2 after birth

[Haitch30]

Hi,

I'm just wondering how long any if you waited after giving birth to start 5:2? I was doing it pre pregnancy and was doing well on it and would like to get back on it when baby is born but I know dieting straight away is inadvisable.
Thanks in advance for help and sorry if this has been answered before

Suppose it depends on if you are bfing or not.

Some do it within a few weeks of giving birth but I can't imagine even getting started on the challenge of fasting while completely exhausted! Plus you need to let your body recover...

Why not just try and eat healthily for a while - breastfeeding uses up a huge amount of calories anyway (if you're doing that). Come and lurk on the main threads and jump in when it feels right. Certainly BFeeders have fasted but usually with older babies (say 6 months or so) and have found no issues with supply, though I think allowing around 1000 calories is sensible.

But take time to enjoy your baby and congratulations :)

Hi - I started 5:2 when my baby was 8 weeks. She is now 11 weeks and I have lost 5lbs. I am breastfeeding and have not noticed any decrease in supply. I don't see how short fasts would have any effect unless you already had supply/feeding issues. Your body will prioritise milk production over everything else. Otherwise over a week you are only reducing your calorie consumption enough to lose a pound or two, it is not really that radical a diet.

On my fasting days I have about 700 cals though to make up for the milk production. If my baby stopped gaining I would stop of course. I would not recommend it though if you have any worries or insecurities about bfing or milk supply since it may make you feel very anxious. This is my second baby and she is a good sleeper so I am not exhausted.

I had already tried to lose the baby weight just by eating less and walking and exercising but after 8 weeks hadn't lost anything (apart from the initial immediate loss)and so was feeling quite desperate. Now I feel as though I am on track to being able to fit into my old clothes which is very encouraging.

DD will be 5 months on Friday and I'm starting back with 5:2 this week. I'm going to stick to 1000 cals though.

I had great success on 5:2 before getting pregnant. I was lucky enough to lose my baby weight just with breastfeeding (although I've put on a few pounds over Christmas) so I was in no real hurry. I feel so much better when I'm doing the 5:2 though. And DH is doing it with me this time so it will be good to have the support.