I have a five month old son named Sage who I breastfeed. I gained 40lbs with the pregnancy and I only lost 20 which was right after he was born. I thought that with breastfeeding you would lose the weight quicker? For the last 4 months I havent lost anything and am getting a little depressed about it. I eat very healthy and I work full time as a massage therapist so I dont use my time when Im not working to go to the gym because I'd rather be with my son. But I do work out at home when I can. I have heard that some women dont lose the weight while they breastfeed but when they stop they lose it has that happened for anyone?? Im under alot of pressure to lose the weight from the people I work with which makes it even more frustrating. Anyone else ever had this problem??
I breastfed both my kids, one for 6 months, the other for 1 year. Breastfeeding did not help me with the weight loss at all, I did not loose a pound, and even after I stopped breastfeeding, nothing happened...
A few thoughts... (and why the heck are your *co-workers* pressuring you about your weight! how unprofessional!)
1. Weight loss, in my experience, goes in fits and starts. I "stalled" around 3-4 months when I was still +15 lbs, but then randomly and without thinking about it my pants started feeling too big again and my weight had dropped. I was back to within 5 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight at around 6 months postpartum. It *does* take a while. I agree though, it can be frustrating.
2. Yes, some moms that I know were not able to lose those last 10 lbs until they stopped breastfeeding. That was not my experience, but I've heard it from enough people that I think it's true for many. Don't forget if you're breastfeeding a 5-month old, probably at least 2-3 lbs of that extra weight are your breasts :)
3. You frequently do lose the weight quicker (figure breastmilk has about 20 calories/oz, so if your kid eats 25 oz/day that's an extra 500 calories you can either eat or lose). The problem is that you're also REALLY hungry and thirsty when you're breastfeeding. It's more important to eat healthy food when you're hungry than to diet. That said, if you drink more water before and between meals, you may feel less hungry.
Don't let your co-workers get you down. Keep reminding them (and yourself) that it took 9 months to put the weight on, and it will likely take 9 months to take it off again too. Congrats on your baby!
It took nine monthe to put it on, it usually takes ateast twice as long to take it off. As for the pressure from people you work with, have they had kids? If so, they would know its not that easy. With me first son, I dropped a few pounds from nursing. I currently have a 7 month old I'm nursing, and haven't lost any weight. Don't stop nursing just to lose weight. The benefits for your baby are way more important than droppping a few pounds. I'm praying for ya..
I agree with the others that said it is horrible for your co-workers to pressure you to lose, what, 20 lbs? Shame on them.
With my last pregnancy, I lost all the weight I gained during the pregnancy by my 6 week check-up, but I was severely overweight to begin with. I lost an additional 30 lbs by following Weight Watchers, which has a "nursing points" program. I nursed my daughter until she was almost a year old. I found that the less I nursed her, the less extra calories I needed to produce milk.
So, although you are eating healthy, currently you are eating to maintain your weight. If you want to lose weight, I would suggest you check your portion sizes (to make sure you are only eating 1 portion of anything at your meals) and to incorporate 30 minutes of walking every day. Keeping a food journal too is a good idea.
Some women never breastfeed and lose the baby weight after month or two. I think it all depends on the person--their genetic make-up and whether they exercise at all. I don't think breastfeeding is a natural weight loss remedy for everyone. Don't beat yourself up over it and good luck! Besides, why are people you work with putting pressure on you to lose weight anyhow? Tell 'em to mind their own business.
I know they SAY that breastfeeding helps you lose weight...and it does cause it burns calories. BUT the hormone that stimulates milk production also is an appetite stimulant so it is kind of like fighting a losing battle. I nursed my son for 29 months and all the weight I lost was within the first few months. I lost 30 of the 60 I gained. I tried going on WW which I had been successful with before getting pregnant but I was so ravenously hungry (even with the added calories for nursing) that I couldn't keep it up. They do have a few books out there about it, I haven't tried all those...I wasn't the healthiest eating though either cause I just grabbed what I could when I could being a new mom.
First off, I find it really poor that people at work are pressuring you to lose weight. Really horrible. Secondly, it all depends on individual. I gained 70lbs with my twin pregnancy. I dropped 25-30 right after/month after. When I was nursing, I had to eat constantly and didn't drop an ounce. I worried too because people said... Oh, you lose it when you nurse. Not true for everyone. I lost it (with the help of Weight Watchers (highly recommend)) after I stopped nursing and it came off fairly easily and I am not one to lose weight fast. Good luck. Chin up. You are still a new mom and getting adjusted. Tell everyone to back off. Just watch what you eat if you can so as not to add more weight.
I agree with Brandi & Regina! I BF'd for 11 months & didn't loose the baby weight like I thought I would. I agree that it takes 9months to gain the weight, & at least 2-3x longer than that to lose it. Sometimes diet & exercize just isn't enough for some, everyone is different. Don't beat yourself up about it, & definatly ignore what others have to say about it. None of their concern anyway.
Hi N.,
I just wanted to say that I am in the same boat as you. I also gained 40# and have lost about 20. I exercise 3-4 times a week and eat very well and still I cannot seem to loose the weight. I plan on breastfeeding my son for at least another year so I have a feeling that this is just how it is going to be! I have recently begun to feel comfortable in this skin - now that I am a Mom it just does not bother me as much. I was really skinny before and now I am just a little more average. Good luck with your weight loss and I wish you the best!
T.
Hi, N.. I agree, people at work should not be commenting on your weight. I would talk to your supervisor about this. It's completely inappropriate and unprofessional.
However, if you want to lose weight for yourself, check out weight watchers. They have a plan for breastfeeding moms.
Good luck!
A.
I totally understand your frustration!! I also had trouble losing weight while nursing. I nursed until my baby was 8 months old and nursing did not help me lose weight. It was especially frustrating because my friends who had babies around the same time as me were nursing and losing their baby weight like crazy. But I met other moms who were like me and they didn't lose weight until they stopped nursing. I guess women are just different and how they react to nursing. But don't stop nursing like the other mom said. When I stopped, I thought I would start losing weight automatically and I didn't. I had to work at it- work out and watch what I eat.
I still am =). I would just continue to exercise reasonably (not so much it affects your milk supply) and eat healthily. Your babies health is the most important... I really wished I was able to nurse until he was a year.
