Breastfeeding and Weightloss

[Wholemom]

With DD1 I did absolutely nothing and I went back to my pre-pregnancy weight at about 4 months postpartum.This time around however I would.like to help things along as I do not have many clothes that fit well or room in the budget to purchase any. Right now I am not fiitting my prepregnancy jeans and my maternity jeans are way too big. I wanted to know if anyone has dieted or done intense working out while ebf. I don't plan to introduce solids for another 4-5 months (DD2 is 2 months old).

[kocho]

I don't recommend dieting while breastfeeding. Making milk burns an extra 500 calories a day. If you don't eat enough, your body will take the nutrients to make the milk robbing your body of what it may need. Not getting enough to eat may even impact your supply.

What you could do instead of actually eating less is just making more healthy choices in what you eat.

[colin-mylilguy]

That was about how long it took for me to get back to pre-pregnancy weight, too. But I remember my doctor telling me that it took 9 months to put on the weight so I should allow my body 9 months to lose it. I'd say you are one of the lucky ones who loses weight easily and quickly while breastfeeding.

If your LO is 2 months old, then you are half way there, already! I'd just be patient. I know it's annoying not to have your clothes fitting the way you want but two months isn't that long. On the flip side, like kocho said, if you diet or do lots of exercise, you will probably negatively affect your milk supply and then you might be forced to supplement with formula, which isn't cheap and it's definitely not a cute new outfit.

I understand the frustration. Hang in there. You'll fit back in some clothes you like, soon.

[Jatango]

Exercise is much less likely to encourage weight loss "quickly" than diet modification. Try grain free, white sugar free, high protein, high fat. DH and I both lost 50+ lbs this way with minimal exercise routine change and NO calorie restriction before pregnancy. The plus side is you naturally cut out gluten, most dairy, corn and soy this way without feeling like you're doing that restrictively. Try www.marksdailyapple.com

High exercise increases the load of cortisol in the body which can decrease milk production. High insulin (lots of sugar or starving yourself) does this too. Stressing the body is bad news for BF!

Sent from my iPhone, auto-correct be darned!

[kej]

When I tried dieting while nursing, the pediatrician told me that I was likely producing skim milk instead of whole milk for my baby, and she needed whole milk. Also, the weight just didn't want to come off for me, no matter how hard I tried.

It's frustrating, but just keep eating well and being active. It's only for the short term that you'll be heavier, but the long-term benefits for you lo can help you get over the frustration. Good luck and hang in there.

[Greenebean214]

Ditto PP, give it more time and try to eat healthier. I don't think exercising is a bad idea, as long as you aren't going nuts with it. If you do decide to up the sweat factor, increase fluids and calories to replace what you burn.

I was back to PrePreg weight within 4 months and an additional 10 pounds now at 10 months PP. I lost the ten extra pounds by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, not snacking after dinner, and increasing water intake. Nothing intentional, honestly! The most exercise I do is walk, which I try to do everyday for at least 30 mins.

Good luck!

[jackyl08]

I am the odd one out, but I am doing the Weight Watchers Points Plus plan. They have you add extra points to account for nursing. They only want you losing 1lb a week, which so far I have stuck to. My little one is 7mths old, 21lbs and I have plenty of milk. I am 12lbs below my pre-pregnancy.

[tibeca]

Expecting and planning on losing 1 lb per week is safe. Expecting to drop weight due to exercise and dieting any more quickly than that can influence supply.

[songbird516]

Originally Posted by Jatango Exercise is much less likely to encourage weight loss "quickly" than diet modification. Try grain free, white sugar free, high protein, high fat. DH and I both lost 50+ lbs this way with minimal exercise routine change and NO calorie restriction before pregnancy. The plus side is you naturally cut out gluten, most dairy, corn and soy this way without feeling like you're doing that restrictively. Try www.marksdailyapple.com High exercise increases the load of cortisol in the body which can decrease milk production. High insulin (lots of sugar or starving yourself) does this too. Stressing the body is bad news for BF! Sent from my iPhone, auto-correct be darned!

totally agree with this! Cutting out white flour, sugar, and adding in healthy fat keeps up nutrients without making you feel hungry or like you're dieting.
Also, shopping at Goodwill or other consignment stores can help you to buy a few clothing items that will fit in the interim if you really can't find anything to wear. I dropped 30 pounds really quickly because of postpartum thyroid issues and had to shop at Goodwill because I was changing sizes quickly and had no money for new clothes.

[colin-mylilguy]

Originally Posted by jackyl08 I am the odd one out, but I am doing the Weight Watchers Points Plus plan. They have you add extra points to account for nursing. They only want you losing 1lb a week, which so far I have stuck to. My little one is 7mths old, 21lbs and I have plenty of milk. I am 12lbs below my pre-pregnancy.

I have heard good things about WWPP; that many people have success with this system and it is supportive of BF. Good for you! I don't think there is anything wrong with being health-conscious and trying to lose some weight after baby is born. That program is a healthy guide for losing weight.

I think as long as you are not expecting radical results over-night, and you go about it in a healthy way, you can lose weight while successfully breastfeeding. It sounds like you (OP) had success with this with your first baby so maybe do what you did then, and focus on healthy food choices and going on walks/etc. and you should be good.