Breastfeeding like Crazy Without Weight Loss

Hi V.,

Since you're a SAH mommy, you might be interested in an exercise class you can take with your baby. I go to Baby Boot Camp. I started going in August, when my daughter was almost 8 months old, and I've really enjoyed it. We meet outside (right now in North Bend, but the instructor has talked about moving closer to Bellevue this spring). The babies ride in strollers while the mommies exercise. The workout has cardio and strength training segments.

I've never been good about exercising on my own, so this has helped to put things back where they belong on my lower half!

http://www.babybootcamp.com/

Hi V.,
I was one of those people who didn't lose any weight while breastfeeding. I think I only lost 11 pounds after giving birth and the weight stayed with me the whole time I breast fed. I have read that this is actually not uncommon - that a lot of people hold on to their weight while breastfeeding. However, after I stopped I still didn't lose the weight. I did discover that I'm hypothyroid, which probably isn't your case, but in the end I started doing weight watchers online and lost about 23 pounds over three months. I also went to the gym as often as possible, which obviously helped. You can do weight watchers while breast feeding. They have guidelines for nursing moms, so that's one option. Anyway, I found it a very nutritious, safe and easy way to drop weight. Good luck!

5 months is really early to expect to lose it all. I remember, particularly with my first, hitting plateaus like that. First lost 17 pounds then it seemed to take forever to lose the next chunk. I'm sure it was close to a year before I got all the baby weight off. My sister has had the same experience.

With my 2nd, I started Weight Watchers when he was about 6 or 7 months old. It worked like a charm. Since I was breastfeeding, I got to eat much more than I otherwise would. I easily dropped 2 pounds a week and not only lost all the baby weight, but an extra 20. However, I noticed my milk production was significantly lower the last many months with the my 2nd child. I'm pretty convinced it was because I was actively losing weight and then had lost so much weight. Fortunately, I always produced way more than needed so this wasn't much of an issue, but you should think about that. You don't want to jeopardize your child's milk supply.

Another thought - and this is strictly my anecdotal observation. All the people I know who've had a lot of trouble losing all the baby weight are people who were pretty skinny to begin with. The people I see who lost it more consistently started out at a more average to above average weight. I have read this - you need some fat to generate breastmilk. I think if you are thin to start with, retaining some of the weight is your body's natural way to help you keep producing the milk.

Last thought... I was always hungry when I was breastfeeding (a year at least with both) and I realized that I was eating a lot as a result. This made it harder to take the weight off. So pay attention to your diet and make sure you are eating plenty of healthy foods.

I know it is really frustrating! I felt the same way. But with time and some work, the weight will come off.

Good luck!
C.

-- You've being awfully hard on yourself, V.-- my grandmother ( who had 4 children between 1917 and 1930) said '''it takes 9 months to make the baby- and nine months to get back to where you were'''' - and that's optimistic--- you need time- and yes, some sort of exersize regime would be helpful- your muscles HAD to loosen up to allow the baby's growth and birth- so they need some help to tighten up again- it will happen- and the weight will come off -- bit by bit.

Blessings,
J.

Sleep. Are you getting enough? Sleep is KEY to your body regenerating. Are you napping with your baby? I found that when I finally started sleeping and resting with the baby, I lost thirty pounds in four months and then some that I gained before getting pregnant! Hope that helps.
C. M. in Snohomish
PS "they" say that it's nine months on, nine months off. Good luck!

Hi V.,

there is a babybootcamp in Edmonds. http://babybootcamp.com/pages/class_location.aspx?i=600 Sissel also teaches a mommy to be class that I did when I was pregnant. I haven't gone to the babybootcamp yet but keep thinking I should. I too have 10 pounds to go. My daughter is 8 months old today. Don't be too hard on yourself. Moving isn't exactly easy to do or kind on eating habits. I have been able to lose a few pounds in the last few weeks since I have started walking again and watching how much I am eating. I am a 32 year old, SAHM in Edmonds if you ever want to meet up for a walk or try babybootcamp together.

Have your thyroid checked...and make sure they check all three levels!! Very important because they only checked my tsh which was fine so I went undiagnosed for a year. Good luck!

I am still bf'ing at almost 16 months and still have 3 lbs to go!! I initially had a huge loss of 31 lbs in the first five weeks of my son's life, but the rest (12 lbs) has been a bit harder to deal with, especially with most of my time taken up by him! ;)

I have read that sometimes the last bit is actually harder BECAUSE of bf'ing, that it's sort of like insurance for your baby or something.

I've just been trying to take it one day at a time, eat as healthy as possible and exercise in some form most days. Now that it's hopefully getting nicer outside, and lighter longer (yay!) you could put your daughter in her stroller or carrier and go for a walk or hike with her. The extra weight holding or pushing will help burn more calories! And, at least for us, my son really enjoys being outside too (or falls asleep ;)), so it's double duty!

I swear by doing weights as well as cardio too. Several years ago I lost 55 lbs in 9 months following weight watchers and am a runner, but I am convinced I lost it so quickly because of adding the weights.

GL and welcome to the NW!!

Also, keep in mind that breastfeeding helps your uterus tone back up--which makes your stomach flatten back down. That might not be the same as "losing the baby weight" Your daughter is only 5 months old, most women are happy if they're back to pre-pregnancy weight by 9 months to a year!

Make sure you are eating regularly all-day, small high-protein lower-carb (non-processed) meals every 2.5 - 3 hours or so.

I've had lots of friends rave about Pilates helping them get back in shape.