Anyone trying to lose weight whilst breastfeeding?

[Newsenmum]

Ive not been great this time and I always stay big when breastfeeding. Child number 2
is even more obsessed with milk and Im currently around 76kg, 5ft 5.

Anyone else on a similar journey and got some tips? I get so hungry and exhausted. It’s also a big emotional thing with me. I need something to replace food with.

Not sure what I do differently but any leftover pregnancy weight just melts away when I’m breastfeeding. DC is now 5 months old and I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight and clothes. I eat a lot more than usual but stick to healthy balanced meals and usually two-three snacks a day. I also walk daily and got back to exercising quite quickly after DC was born, first with gentle post-partum workouts slowly increasing the intensity and difficulty as I started getting back in shape. I track calories but I don’t stick to any rigid limit.

Back in 1990 when I was breastfeeding I went to weight watchers as they had a breastfeeding diet. At the time my allowance was almost double what my non breastfeeding friend was allowed. I lost weight really well and it never affected my milk supply.

This sounds very reasonable. I looked at my tracking app and on average I eat about 2500 kcal a day and I still lost weight.

Hi @Newsenmum
My baby is 14 months and still breastfeeds, although much less now, for comfort mainly.

I had a huge appetite all winter long (to the point of making snacks at 3 in the morning) and barely enough me-time for exercising, that led to a few unwanted kilos.

A few months ago he started eating much more solid food, and needed less milk, so I could lower my food intake gradually and also exercise as he didn't need to be on the boob all the time. I am following a mediterranean lifestyle with loads of fresh fruit and veg, (and all the protein sources: meat, fish, eggs etc), no tracking, no diet, no rigidity.

I am now at my pre-pregnancy weight, and normal bmi.

Don't stress too much about it, your body is doing what is best to protect itself while feeding your baby.

@Angelyoga

I eat similarly (“Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly plants” as Michael Pollan says in his book) but for me the weaning stage was much harder work. We did BLW with the other DC and I was like a vulture around any leftovers 😅. I think it must be evolutionary to some extent because I don’t have any emotional issues around wasting food, but I would just automatically eat after the little ones without even registering what I did. I had to be really mindful about what I ate and I expect it will be similar with DC3 when we start BLW (soon).

I prioritise exercise whenever possible. DH takes the baby so I have time for myself. Also walking outside is what I try to do daily, even if very tired. Staying active protects from PND and paradoxically gives you more energy. I’m a “geriatric mother” (this is a medical term btw) and I have much more energy and stamina with my little one now at 47 when I prioritise my exercise routine than with my older DC.

Hey @CortieTat !
Great work!
I am, by no means, an expert or a role model and had similar path. DS only really started eating meals at 11-12 months old. Up until that point I would eat double portions!

I am approaching 35 soon, so geriatrics is gonna be the new me! I am looking forward to becoming a mom again.
I suppose it is the knowledge and confidence of the previous DC.

I ate 1800 calories a day (600 a meal), and walked an hour every day with my baby in the pushchair. I managed to lose 9.5kg this way over 7 months. I concentrated a lot on drinking 3L a day too, and it helped.

However, this went out of the window as soon as my baby’s sleep started getting worse (teething / hot weather), and I ended up being too tired to get out (I put 3kg back on). So, in my opinion it really is just about how much you can do and how exhausted you are mentally. I find it impossible to reduce my intake if I am awake at silly times and breastfeeding (at 11pm-12pm I am starving!), but easier if I can have an early night and sleep well.

…Also, I forgot to mention I had to be careful to eat well. Especially if limiting the calories.

So scary to think that if you lack vitamins for breastfeeding, it can weaken bones/teeth and make you anaemic.

I tried to whilst breastfeeding my 3rd and it effected my milk supply so much I had to switch to formula. I feel incredibly guilty about that. She lost loads of weight too.. so be really careful!! It's not medically advised to eat in a calorie deficit when breastfeeding as it is possible it effects your milk supply.

I reduced the calories only once my baby was 6 months old and was eating solid food - sorry I should have said this earlier, and she was eating really well. I was not worried about her weight.

I was following advice from from La Leche -

https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/weight-loss-mothers/#:~:text=It's%20usually%20recommended%20that%20you,not%20disappear%20very%20quickly%2C%20either!