Is there any point trying to lose weight whilst breastfeeding?

[JimHalpertsPA]

My DD is 14mo and usually doesn't feed a ton, but when teething or ill she will feed like a newborn! Naturally I get very hungry when I BF and so my diet really fluctuates depending on how interested she is in BFing. I'd like to lose about 6kg to get to my pre baby weight but not sure if there's a point trying now because of the random bursts of crazy feeding. Honestly speaking, a lot of my weight loss failure is also largely down to lack of will power. I eat when I'm stressed and I've found life with a toddler ... extremely stressful :)

Anyone been in a similar boat? Any tips appreciated x

I think life happens, there will always be stressful times, busy times, illness, breastfeeding and other lifestyle changes that impact appetite and weight.

The way to get through it is to develop tools and a mindset to navigate it.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to focus on healthy foods, portion control, movement etc until they become second nature

Yes I lost 3 stone. I followed slimming world so I was still allowed to eat snacks I just had to choose different ones

Yes you can definitely lose weight while breastfeeding. I fed unfil my first was 2.5 years and had lost all the baby weight by the time he was 1. I did it by walking everywhere and cutting down on the snack/cake habit I’d developed during his first year.

I'm with you OP - exactly 6kg off pre pregnancy weight and it's like the scale is stuck. I'm exercising plenty but I find it hard to use up headspace thinking about my diet when I'm stressed.

The weight just came off with my first though and I BF him for 2 years, so it might not be hormonal... or it might... either way I figure I've got enough to worry about these days...

I lost weight because of breastfeeding.

I couldn't lose a pound while breastfeeding. The second I stopped I lost 10lbs in 2 weeks. Seems like my body was clinging onto all the extra fat for a famine or something.

I was extremely put out since I'd been told over and over again that the weight just falls off if you breastfeed .

I can’t help op but currently pregnant feeling huge and I was hoping breastfeeding would help me lose the weight after baby.. seems perhaps not!! Interesting as I’d always thought it was good for losing that baby weight x

I lost loads of weight because of breastfeeding. It just fell off. But everyone is different. If it's something you really want then I would do it as there's always seems like a better time. Do look after yourself though while she's going through a mega feeding stage. I have a 14 month old DD too who feeds like a newborn. You need treats! But maybe you can find a way to switch these treats into something less calorific or non food related.

I’m doing SlimmingWorld, breastfeeding and loosing weight.

I'd use the breastfeeding while you can. A small change in diet for you will mean it will fall off because of her with little effort on your part. You're better off doing it now rather than waiting for her to drop feeding and then you're left still eating the same amount so gaining weight.

I couldn’t lose weight while breastfeeding. Something to do with the hormones. I literally starved myself but it just made me tired, the weight wouldn’t come off. I’m sad to say I stopped breastfeeding because I was unhappy about being fat. As soon as I stopped 2st dropped off me within a couple of months.

I lost a stone without too much trouble. I used My Fitness Pal, and set the calories to maintain weight. Then the extra calorie burn from feeding did the rest.