Anyone else PUT ON weight while breastfeeding?

[soph1976]

Everyone talks about how breastfeeding shifts all your baby weight, but am I the only person who finds exactly the opposite? After DS was born 2.5 yrs ago I put on 20 pounds in 4 months BF. Have new baby now and seem to be going same way. I walked out of hospital weighing exactly what I did before conceiving, in my old pre-pregnancy clothes 6 weeks ago, but already seem to be piling it on. Partly due to feeling so hungry all the time. What can I do? Am trying not to eat loads of biscuits, but I feel so hungry all the time that I'm just eating much more than I normally would at meal times. Am already half a stone up and really don't want to end up looking like a big lump again. All I read about tells me how BF really helps you burn the excess pounds off, so am I some freak of nature or has anyone else had the same experience?

hi soph, many mnetters have had the same prob as you (me included) i am trying to diet but it is made much more difficult while b/f cos like you say feeling hungry all the time.

also if you are thinking of dieting then check out the mumsnet mamas, they are doing brilliant. demented does a fantastic job with putting the losses together. I WILL join them soon.

although i never put on weight, i did have a huuuge appetite, especially for sweet things. i found this made baby windy, so was a good incentive for eating healthy!
sorry not much help.

i dont know if this is of any use to you...its a hread on dieting and breastfeeding...i havent read it so apologise if no use.

thread on dieting & BF

I was like you Soph, after giving birth was straight down to pre-preg weight (pity body shape didn't follow) but then I ballooned. In my case it was feeling I was literally eating for two combined with sitting around feeding for hours on end having previously done a very active & physically demanding job.

No solutions for you but try snacking regularly on healthy stuff so you don't feel so starving by mealtimes. Fruit, veg sticks, rice cakes, Snack-a-Jacks, Thai bites etc are all pretty good.

Just don't do what I did and think, hey pram walk = cream cake or 4.... It just = lard

Good luck, and follow champs advice

Message withdrawn

I thought I was the only one!! With DS1 I didn't lose any of the 4 stone I managed to add during pregnancy. With DS2 I lost 1 1/2 stone (like you yorkiegirl), but managed to put back a stone of it. DS2 is 11 months, and down to 2 feeds a day, but I find if I cut out too much he wakes in the night hungry. It's not fair !!

yes, me too. stayed the same with dd1, put on 1 stone with dd2, and so far dd3 is 8 weeks old and I've put on a few pounds. I hate it. but I did lose all the extra weight in between each baby when I stopped fully breastfeeding - it depends how patient you want to be. it's so irritating isn't it?