Breastfeeding and weight loss

[Reelaa]

I'm 7 weeks post partum and have 12 pounds to lose to get back to pre baby weight, (maybe add a couple of pounds for the boobs). Not a lot I know but I'm feeling flabby and clothes are too tight and I'm ready to get my body back, but I'm conscious of eating enough to keep my milk supply going. I had a big salad for lunch today which had olives, feta, tuna and avacado in it, but since then have eaten leftover roast chicken, a nakd bar, an apple, some nacho crisps and I'm desperate for dinner which is salmon, brown rice and veg, but I'm already thinking of dessert! Not sure how to do this - any tips? I used to be very healthy before pregnancy but I don't think I can eat like that now and have enough calories to keep baby fed!

[Reelaa]

Oh and a chocolate orange rice cake. I'm longing for more chocolate too 🙈

[WhatWillSantaBring]

I was like you after DD1 - didn't put on that much, and was reasonably healthy pre-pregnancy, but I COULD NOT lose weight while BF. (And oh my god, i have never actually known hunger like it). Some women swear that they shed weight while BF, but I think quite a few don't and can't. It's ok. Just try to eat reasonably well and not put on weight, then start properly when you've weaned. Otherwise you'll make yourself miserable in the process.

[Reelaa]

Well I've lost nothing since this post, but I've just started dairy free as a trial for baby but it seems to be helping me eat less as I just can't eat half the stuff I would normally so we shall see what happens!

[Mediumred]

Aww, a friend told me it was ‘nine months on, nine months off’ and it kind of was, but I had a lot more to lose than you. Hopefully it won’t be too long but don’t beat yourself up too much, you did an amazing thing growing your baby, now feeding them, and giving up dairy in their interests so cut yourself a little slack.

Also , purely anecdotal and no way scientific, friends who were breastfeeding big hungry boys seemed to lose it quicker than those of us with little picky girls !