Running While Breastfeeding?

I have no idea about the breastfeeding issue...but.. WOW! More power to you running 3miles and you have a 8wk old daughter!! I'm impressed!!

Besides the extra support you're already giving yourself the only other thing to keep in mind is to not nurse your daughter just after a run...there is an increased amount of lactic acid in your milk at the time:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/running.html

hey I just started running too. my baby was 4 months old when I decided to give it a go and WOW I have never done anything so hard in my life. I have always been in shape and to not be able to run a mile was killing me. I have been trainnig for a half marathon for about 2 months now and I am starting to feel really great! It hasn't effected my milk at all and I was sure it would. I am just STARVING all the time. Hang in there it will get easier. I do the double sports bra thing too. I don't mind it anymore, but also my milk has regulated a lot so I am not so busting full in the morning.
good luck!

I was in the sme boat. Marathon runner that found it difficult to get back in the swing of things after my first child. Did you exercise through your pregnancy? I was nervous about that part but with my second was running up until like 6 months.
What worked for me after my first was to take it slow and steady and eventually I was able to work myself back up to where I wanted to be. Remember, your body has just been through a wonderful but traumatic experience!
As far as breastfeeding goes...I nursed both my girls until they were 1 and ran with both of them. Just pay attention to your body, eat healthy and drink plenty of water and you should be just fine!

Be REALLY patient! Your body worked very hard to make and deliver a baby and is now is burning a lot of energy to make milk for your baby. I was running up until 7 months pregnant, but then didn't get back to my normal running schedule or distance until after I stopped nursing my daughter (she decided to stop at 11 months). Until then I mostly walked, with some slow runs. But after that, my body quickly got back to "normal". I was 41 at the time. I would drink A LOT of water and fluids, and eat! It is amazing how much water and food your body needs to keep milk production up.

Support is very important as you don't want any tissue tears. Also, make sure you are eating a LOT! Breastfeeding uses lots of calories and running will as well. You need to keep up your caloric intake and remember that even if you get back down to pre-preg size, you should still be about 10 pounds over pre-preg weight to allow for ample milk production and of course the playboy bunny breasts and extra fat stores needed for milk production. Good luck and enjoy the solitude of running now that the rest of your life has been turned upside down (in a good way)!

Hi Sara,
I too am a brand new 30 year old mom to Max who was born in February. I was very active before and during pregnancy and I actually started running again when Max was just 4 weeks old. It felt great to get back out there, but it took me a while to get back up to normal. I started out at about 2 miles and now am back up to my 5 miles a day.
There is nothing wrong with exercising while breastfeeding, in fact, moderate exercise will help keep up or can even increase your milk supply. The catch to breastfeeding and exercise is that while exercising your body builds up lactic acid. This does transfer into the breastmilk. The babies can sometimes taste the lactic acid in the milk and it makes them not want to drink it and sometimes would turn them off nursing. As far as I have been told by the lactation specialist, the lactic acid does not hurt them in anyway, it just makes your milk taste funny.
So what you should do is, time your runs so that you can breastfeed immediately before you go, or pump immediately before you go...then you should have 60-90 minutes after you get back before you have to breastfeed again. That time allows the lactic acid levels in your milk to go back down to normal and won't affect your milk. Also, you probably already do this when you are done running, but stretching after your workout, will help the lactic acid levels to go back down...so get a good stretch in when you are done.
Also, sweat will make your nipples salty tasting and Sebryna probably won't like it, so a shower in between is a must.
It is great to exercise while breastfeeding, so get back out there and enjoy your time running, when you can get some clarity and some alone time!!!!!

S.,

First - Congrats on your new baby Sebryna!

You didn't say if you were nursing or not. To be expidiant, I am going to assume you are.

Whenever I started training again I consulted a nutrionist. The necessary daily caloric intake needed for both breastfeeding and training is staggering. I needed over 3600 kcal/day to make it all happen (I am tall).

Boob wise if you haven't been fitted for a bra now is the time! Don't just go in - call ahead and say you are nuring and want an appiontment with a fitter.

A final note - remember to check your posture. With the extra boobage, it is easy to slouch or round your shoulders forward thus putting extra weight/pressure on your core. You might want to throw in a routine to strengthen your shoulders & upper back.

Oh yes - go get re-fitted for shoes if you haven't already. Sometimes women's feet flatten during pregnancy requiring extra arch support post-delivery.

Good luck and happy training!

T.

Good for you! Keep it up! Remember that 3 miles is A LOT after a pregnancy. You should feel proud. You'll slowly get farther, but give yourself time. Be sensitive to your body. A great bra is all you need. Also, breast milk can taste a little "sour" to your baby if you nurse right after running. I would nurse before if you could, or give it a little time. Be sure to drink a TON of water and eat a few extra calories to keep up your milk supply!

You are already doubling up on the bras, that should help alot with movement. I also try to nurse or pump before running so I'm as empty as possible. Take your bras off pretty much as soon as you get home. You can run the risk of getting plugged ducts because of how tight the bras are (and believe me, they are no fun).

As for your endurance - be patient. Your body is still getting back to its normal shape, muscle tone and physiology. You might look 'normal' but there is still a lot going on under your skin! I would also add some light 'core' exercises to start strengthening those muscles back up since they were the most stretched out - but again don't push it.

And on a related topic - if you haven't already - invest in a good jogging stroller. (Mine is from Dreamer Design and is the only one we own and we LOVE it). Your daughter will love going on runs with you - but it is more work to push a stroller and run!

Congrats on your new baby and on the work of getting back to the things you love!

I, too, was a marathon runner before my first child. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to come back. Everything "down there" felt like it was going to fall out for a while. Be patient, even though it's frustrating. I heard, while I was pregnant, about these marathon runners running marathons right after having the baby. I ran a half-marathon when my first was 9 weeks old, and I decided at mile 6, I had no business doing it!! I made it through at about double my normal pace, and made a decision to heal first. It probably took 6 months before I felt "normal" running again.

BTW, I breastfed as well, and didn't have any issues with it. Good luck!

S., I am a breastfeeding marathon running mommy too! When I first got back to running after my csection I had less energy too. Don't get discouraged, our bodies are doing a lot more than normal. Make sure to be eating enough and drinking enough! It will get easier!
angie

Good for you for gettting back into running and doing something for yourself. The best thing to do is feed or pump before you work out. It releives the fullness factor and some doctors believe when you over heat your body the milk already made in the milk ducts can sour. Also there are some great websites where you can track your progress and set goals for youself and they will make out a workout schedule. I can't think of the one I used that was free but if I find it I will send it to you. Good luck and be patient.

I don't see a reason why you can't/shouldn't. I exersized like crazy after my 1st, and plan to again after my 2nd.

Prepare yourself for some possible leakage, but..."healthy mom equals healthy baby". :) Enjoy the run.

How about ya walk, and not try so hard at 8 weeks! You body is still healing and trying to provide food for your baby-and really, what is the hurry? And instead of saying "I can barely do 3 miles" how about "I can do 3 miles!!"

What is more important right now? Running, or growing your baby? :)

I was a runner before I got pregnant and when I went to my 6 wk check up I asked my midwife about training for a race and she informed me that by 12 weeks postpartum that you are only 80% healed "down there" and that by pushing too hard you run the risk of incontinence later in life. So make sure you are doing your kegals and listen to your body while running. Take it easy for a while :) I know its hard though - walking to me isn't enough of a workout :)

Hi S.!

I am a jogger and have three kids. 4, 2 1/2 and 5 months. Here's what works for me....

I'm large chested anyway and bought a really good sports bra. I think a Nike one for $30. I ran after I fed Luke so I was emptied out. The sports bra was really tight and squishy. I started jogging really slowly because I hadn't run for a while. This worked well and my milk production didn't suffer.

I had to stop BF'd our last baby due to a hospital stay and lots of meds. I miss it. Enjoy your time with baby as then get big fast. Noah is really close to crawling. YIKES!!

Please let me know if you'd like more information.

Best of luck