Breast Feeding and Weight Loss

V.,
I guess more than anything I just have sympathy because I too am in the same boat - baby is 6.5 months old, and I still have 10 pounds hanging on. I can't seem to get to work out regularly, but eat healthy... meanwhile my friend weighed less coming out of the hospital than going in. I blame it on the fact that I am forty. I do have a friend though who told me she did hold the last few pounds until after she was done breastfeeding.
We are hoping to try for another too - hoping as soon as possible, but I don't want to keep the weight from one to the other!!
Stay healthy, and good luck!

While I was breast feeding my youngest I did the LA weight loss diet which is all about portion control. I ate I think like 1500 cals a day and the weight just dropped off. My baby was getting more than enough from me he was always in the 98% so me cutting back didn't effect me. I lost so much weight that I was the smallest I had been in years just 6 months after having him. Good luck!!

Take your weight x 8 add 300 calories, and that's what you should be eating to lose weight while breast feeding. You don't want to eat less or your body goes into "starvation mode". You can check out this great website too: www.slimbodycoach.com. Best wishes!

I gained 50 pounds when I was pregnant and only started to really lose more than the initial birth weight after about 6 months of breastfeeding. I have now dropped about 15 pounds below my prepregnacy weight, and I just weaned. Now I am afraid of gaining it all back!
Some lose, some don't, but I was ready to give my body to my child from pregnancy through breastfeeding. That mindset helped me to eat healthy for him, and not think about the weight. I think that not thinking about it is what did it for me, because I had tried to lose before without success. Don't stress about it, and just enjoy your son!

Start walking. I didn't lose any weight from breastfeeding itself that I know of but I was also walking an hour a day after I had my first one & working out 45 mins/day after my 2nd one. Put baby in the stroller & go walking for an hour-you'll be surprised how fast the weight falls off!

there is a very good book out there called "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding"

Weight Watchers has an excellent program just for nursing moms. It ensures that you are still getting enough nutrition to make milk for your baby and still lose weight. I lost about 40 pounds on it after my second baby was born, unfortunatly I slacked off and gained half of it back! Now I am pregnant with my third and I am planning to go back on WW after the new baby is born. Good luck and congrats on breastfeeding, it is such a wonderful experience and so good for your baby!

V.,

I had the same problem you are having. I have four children (ages 6,4,2, and 11 months) and my first three kids were bottle fed (or breastfed for less than 6 weeks). With all three of them I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a few months after they were born. My fourth baby did really well with nursing, so I breastfed her until she was around five months old. I used the same eating and exercising plan after her birth that I did after all my other kids, but I did not lose any weight at all until after she was weaned. It was really frustrating hearing about all the women who lose weight so quickly while they are breast feeding, when I wasn't one of them. After asking around, however, I did find a few other women who had the same problem of holding on to their weight, or actually gaining a little until they were done nursing. My youngest daughter is 11 months now, and we are done having kids. I am still about 8 pounds heavier than my pre pregnancy weight, but it is coming off much easier since I stopped nursing. Don't let yourself get discouraged! It will come off eventually. I always remind myself that I would rather be pudgy with beautiful children than skinny with none!!!

yes, some women hold on to the weight while breastfeeding. i have been breastfeeding my son for just over a year now, and i am finally within 3 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight, but still not all the way there yet. be patient with yourself, and don't beat yourself up about it. :)

nursing should definitely help, and while you work out you may retain or even gain weight as you build muscle. Don't stress too much, you will have plenty of time to figure that out, just keep active and focus on your energy.

The Herbalife weight loss programs are safe and a healthy way to lose weight but still get good nutrition. Here's a website to check out www.loseweightnow.com/O.

Keep in mind that you only need an addition 300 calories per day when you breast feed and what you eat makes a big difference. I would keep strict about what you put in your body - no fried, fast food, or desert, stick to basic food groups and lots of water. I have found that if I eat a smaller amount every 2 hours rather than big meals I lose a lot faster. Good luck! Babies are totally worth the screwed up body. =)

I don't have any experience about breast feeding, but I wanted to just add encouragement to you. I am not sure what the recommended calorie intake is for breast feeding, but I would suggest keeping track of what you eat and how much. I know some of my friends fell into the trap of "needing" more calories and then overate. There is a great website called dailyplate. com that is wonderful for this. Also just a thought, it could be lack of sleep with a new baby or the new stress of having a little one that is adding to the lack of weight loss. I know my body shuts down when I am not getting enough sleep. Just remember to be kind to yourself and its 9 months on 9 months off. ( still could be a year really) Good luck and don't give up.

I have gained almost 60 lbs with all of my pregnancies, I have been able to get it all off by following the advice in the book: "Hello Baby, Goodbye baby fat". I nurse and keep under 2000 calories a day, eat lots of whole grains, don't eat after 8:00...
It has worked every time. Like has been said, you really do have to watch your calories for it to come off and I have not had a problem still nursing while doing so. My last baby I nursed until 18 months.
Good luck!

I feel your pain! I breastfeed my daughter until she was 10 months, I definitely gained weight while nursing. But when I tried to eat low cal foods and limit portions I had a hard time keeping my milk supply up. All my weight was in my chest and stomach. As soon as I stopped nursing the weight just melted away and I didn't need to eat so many calories anymore. Shirts finally fit me and I looked normal, instead of having a giant chest. But if you are planning on getting pregnant in January are you going to still nurse at that time? Many women do it that way but personally for your own sake I would let your body recover from nursing and being pregnant before you do it all over again. So if that is still your plan I would just eat 3 balanced meals a day and exercise and stay ACTIVE!

Breast feeding burns 700 calories per day. While I did not see the pounds fall off my body in 6 months, by the time I stopped breast feeding, at one and a half years, I was down to the weight I held when I was married (totally unexpected and wonderful!). My point is that it took time for me. I enjoyed breast feeding so it didn't bother me to keep going for a year and a half. It wasn't until about a year that I started to see much weight loss at all.
Hope this helps and keep it up!

I have 4 kids and have fortunatley lost the weight each time in between pregnancies. Make sure you are mixing up your workouts. Don't do the same thing every day or your body is more likely to plateau. Even though breast feeding helps with weight loss, I can really get back to my pre-baby size (the last 5-10 lbs.) after stopping breast feeding. Some moms make the mistake of really loading up on the calories while breastfeeding too, which only makes moms maintain weight. I really think that a well-balanced eating plan is best for mom and baby. Don't skimp, but don't overload as well. Best of luck!

Sweetheart, why do you want to put that much stress onto your body? Ideally, your body doesn't go through a pregnancy closer than 24 months at a time. (not MY ideal) That just barely brings you over a year of breastfeeding--one year, three months. Even the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) says babies should get a full 12 months of breast milk at LEAST and ideally two years. You can breastfeed while you are pregnant, but that puts a lot of stress on your body for which you'll have to be extremely diligent in your nutrition, many more calories, much more protein, a significant increase in fluids, and that also includes more rest which may not be so easy with progressing toddler but can be done for the diligent.

Two is the natural spacing the average woman's body prefers, if she is healthy and is also breastfeeding.

As far as the weight loss, you will hold on to 10-15 pounds for fat stores that you need as a milk producing mama...part of that weight is the the milk itself. So, if you're generally fitting your clothes, you're just fine. You just need to remember that you are weighing the amount of fluids and fat stores that you're carrying for your baby--tell yourself those pounds don't count, because really they don't, they belong to your wee one.

Good luck to ya!

Hi V.-

Give yourself a break--your body is in go mode right now. Your body knows it needs to provide you and your baby with enough nutrients for both of you, so it may be conserving your weight for a bit. With my daughter, I gained a lot & it took me a year to lose--you will lose it! You just have to be patient, eat well--lots of fruits and vegetables, beans and lean meats. I walked at least 2x a day with my daughter and kept as active as possible. But mentally, you have to give yourself a break. Hang in there--it will come off and you are doing a great job!

You've gotten so many great responses - just wanted to let you know I had the same problem. Everyone said the weight would melt off with nursing, but it didn't budge! Kind of frustrating. But once I weaned, it came off pretty easily. I didn't have to do anything drastic, just the usual stuff - mostly walking up to an hour a day with baby in the stroller, and the weight slid off without too much trouble. But when to wean is a very personal question, and I know you'll find the right solution for you and your baby and your family!

V.,

As long as you breastfeed, you continue to produce some prostaglandins, which cause your joints to loosen up a bit. I would really recommend stopping bfing for a few months before getting pregnant again to get those out of your system. Doing so will help things tighten up again before getting pregnant. I just had my second, and had a really rough pregnancy--with lots of joint and rib issues--I think because I was still nursing my first when I got pregnant. And I do think it is really important to bf for at least a year--so maybe you want to make things a little easier on yourself, and start trying in the spring or even next summer. Just a thought...

I never lost weight while nursing. I think it happens for most women, but not all. I just worked really hard after, unless like you, we were trying again. Hang in there, though. It will happen at some point, just maybe not now.

Hi V., I was unable to loose any weight while breastfeeding either. I got a book called "Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding" It says in part of it that while breastfeeding helps most women lose weight, some will hang onto it even with a healthy diet and exercise due to hormones. Then once they stop breastfeeding it the weight starts to fall off. I didn't get to see if it worked or not because I got pregnant before I stopped nursing my son, but I just wanted to say that it is pretty normal to keep the weight on too. Anyway if you want to check out the book I got it from amazon. GL!

Keep exercisings. Drink lots of water. Snack on all the fresh produce out there right now....And try not to worry about it. I noticed if I weigh myself daily and only cut back on days that I have a jump up in weight then I start losing. I didn't lose with my son until I had been nursing around 7 months. Meanwhile keep in mind that your horomones could be out of wack, I didn't lose the last of the baby weight with my daughter until I got off the pill then it came right off. Get your thyroid and adrenals checked and just take really good care of yourself it will work out!

R.

V., I am a LE, and this is very common. Some woman's bodies are very fine on the line of self preservation. The body knows it needs to support you and your milk supply so it just starts hording. A big problem, under eating. I knopw everyone if spouting "don't over eat" but make sure you are eating enough, of the right stuff, to support yourself and your milk supply. between 1500-1800 calories a day if you aren't very active. This will help, then add in exercise. Also, be patient, some bodies will take longer to relax and let go of the weight. Just remember, your body is running on different hormones than it was before you got pregnant, so be patient and allow your body due time to adjust.
hope this helps

Dear V.,
Great responses & I appreciate that everyone has been so truthful. From my 1st baby to now everyone always assumed the weight would just FALL-0FF. Heck no!!! Between hypothroidism, being busy, life it takes me at least 18 mo. to return to my PP weight. So do not fret...

My words of advice is keep up your calories 2,000-2,300 a day, to keep a good milk supply. Then when you decide to wean drop your calories to around 1,500. Keep exercising & the weight will come off. The gal who gave you the equation was correct. I lost about 3 lbs. a week on a 1,200 calorie diet. But if you eat to few calories your body thinks your starving & HOLDS onto the weight. I used the Arbonne Figure 8 shakes (made them into protein bars, much more affordable than buying protein bars) and their on-the-go chews, www.naturallylovely.myarbonne.com & www.gofigure8.com along with lots of lean meat & veges. I lost 12 lbs in 5 weeks because I had a few "cheat" days in there. I'm down to 129 lbs now & LOVE IT ;0) you can do it, just take the time & enjoy breastfeeding your baby. It only happens once. Take care, G

Hiya V.!
I was told all during my pregnancy that the weight would fall off while nursing. I think it is true of some women but not for all unfortunately. I have an 18 month old, after he was born I lost about 20 lbs of water weight within the 1st 5 months. I am still trying to get the rest off (I gained 50). I eat well and exercise and still not much. It seems to go in spurts of losing here and there but nothing major. DO NOT CUT CALS! Its better for your baby to be healthy and happy. Find more fulfulling ways of eating healthy while nursing. I cant tell you how many of my friends went on diets then had to stop nursing because they stopped producing and their babies LOST weight. You may want to check your adrenals and thyroid, those can be strained after pregnancy and also stress! Keep doing what you are doing, it will eventually come off. One question though, did you have to have steroids or were you on bed rest at all? That I have noticed in my group of friends that that seems to be a factor in not losing weighgt after pregnancy. GOOD LUCK, and Many Blessings to you and your family.

Breast feeding (producing the milk) takes about 500 calories a day. So if you use that in figuring your maintenance calories, then drop 100-200 calories a day (which could be as easy as cutting your portion size to 3/4 of normal in one or two meals, or dropping a soda or something every day) you should start to loose weight. Weight gain/loss is a law of thermodynamics, take in more calories (enery) than you use, its going to be stored by your body, take in less and you body will have to use those stores.

There are usually some good resources on the internet for figuring calorie needs. Try webMD or a google search and don't go with anything that is also promoting any weight loss products :)

Didn't read all the responses, so hopefully I'm not repeating. I remenber how disappointed I was at hanging on to pounds while I was nursing, because everyone told me that nursing was the best way to lose your pregnancy weight. I then found out that while this is true for some, it is not across the board and that some of us hang on to a few extra until we're done! The most important thing right now is to eat enough to produce milk and not drain your reserves. It does come off easier when you're done nursing. If you plan to nurse for a year, that won't really leave you time before trying for your next pregnancy according to your timeline! I'm not saying you won't be able to lose any between now and then but just that it will be extra challenging. But even if you don't get where you want to be weight-wise before getting pregnant again, just remember this is a season in your life where your body is kind of less 'your own' for a while. Do what is realistic for you in your life right now, and focus most on being healthy and taking care of your baby. Eventually, you'll be done with pregnancy and nursing and you can really focus on getting back in shape. It can be done after babies! Good luck, and enjoy your little one!

Hi V. - breastfeeding really isnt a magic diet pill. It's all about calories in and calories burned. It's impossible to lose weight without a calorie deficit. My metabolism went crazy when I was breastfeeding but so did my appetite so I actually put on a few pounds.

Perhaps log your eating for a week or so - it will probably help you identify some foods that you can cut out that wont affect your nutrition for nursing. It could be as easy as cutting the sports drinks, desserts, or a starch serving a day. Dont forget that you need extra calcium right now as well as additional protein!

best of all things to you!

While nursing my baby, I managed to drop my pp weight with the help of mummy magic weight loss tea.