Struggling to lose weight breastfeeding

[starlight1011]

Hi ladies,
Looking for some wise words.
I’m really struggling to lose weight 16 months postpartum. I’m still breastfeeding because my ds is a terrible eater so I need him to get some nutrition. Just finding it impossible because I’m starving all the time and crave sugar like nothing on earth lol. Should I try and force myself on to a diet or accept I will be like this for a while. Thanks for any thoughts. Xx

Should I try and force myself on to a diet or accept I will be like this for a while

Is there an in between? Where you are not on a diet, but look at what you are eating and try pack out your food with more protein, fruit and veg.
With a 16mth old you are also probably habitually tired - hence the sugar cravings, so many in the short term, don't try to count or restrict your calories, but just eat more healthy food and maybe a little more often so you are not sugar crashing and reaching for sweet food?

Recognise that your body is still doing additional work!

Hi, thank you for answering. Hope you are doing well. Yes, this sounds very sensible. The tiredness is real haha and so is reaching for the biscuits. 😂

I think some people can lose weight easily breastfeeding, because of the calories you need.

however I think there are others (me!) who find it impossible as their body clings on to every last calorie, and as you say appetite goes through the roof as your body needs more to make milk and sustain itself.

I did find though once I stopped bf the weight came off much more easily. So if you’re struggling I’d aim to maintain while you bf, then worry about losing when you stop.

I've always struggled to lose weight while breastfeeding. My body just seems to hold on to it. I'm hoping that when I wean my youngest I will finally manage to lose some weight...

The struggle is real! Don't force yourself to go on a diet, you'll just be hungry and unhappy..... try small steps instead:
Drink more water
Increase protein and decrease carbs where possible
Have healthier snacks around that still give a sugar hit - grapes, raisins, flapjacks, muffins etc
If possible incorporate more movement into your life - walking with pushchair etc. x

You need to eat nutritional food not stuff packed with sugar, then your body won't be craving nutrition and you will lose weight easily. It makes no sense to say you need to get some nutrition for your baby and then say you crave sugar. Processed sugar isn't nutritious, it's not even necessary. The body needs glucose but it can make that itself from the other (healthy) things you eat.

I breastfed my first and the weight fell off me no problem. But with my second I can't budge a pound, no matter how hard I try. He's 18 months and I'm 1.5 stone heavier than I want to be. Just accepted now that I will enjoy feeding him as he's my last and worry about the weight once he's stopped breastfeeding.

It's just nice to know it is a thing, and I'm not just being greedy and lying about weight gain. I actually have an excuse.

It's just the buying new clothes :( ££££

However, I have been going gym and swimming with friends. And it's so nice to go do exercise for the social and feel good aspect rather than concentrating on the weight loss.

Thanks for the wise words ladies. I did some research and found you can do intermittent fasting when breastfeeding but adjust it to 14 10 instead of 16 8. So stop eating at 7pm and breakfast at 9am. Will give it a go and see how it goes. I’m already hungry… haha 😂

Be kind to yourself - I never lost weight breastfeeding, but I found it came off easily when I finally stopped. I suspect it must be hormonal - your body has done/is doing an amazing job. As previous posters have said, look after your wonderful body, eat healthily, worry about losing weight when you are no longer nursing.