I have a two month old and nursed exclusively for the first month and had to start supplementing with formula due to low milk supply. Still have 13 lbs to go to prepregnancy weight but to be truthful I'd like to lose more. (140 is my goal weight so I can go back to wearing my old clothes!). How much weight is a safe amount to lose while nursing?
Usually a lb a week is still as safe as the standard 2 per week for non nursing moms.
a lot depends on your milk supply, cutting too low can cut your milk supply further. Also a pound a week is the golden standard based on release of toxins that may be stored in your fat. Some other theories are its ok to go a little above 1/week if you are 20 or more above prepreg weight , but that once you get back to prepregnancy weight you should then stick to 1/week max (on average) or less.
Speaking of weight loss (as opposed to baby food)
How many calories are you guys eating? I am a calorie counter and sometimes feel silly talking about how much I eat because it is so much more than everyone else (and still a struggle sometimes!) I am very active and aim for 2000-2100 most days, but actually average about 2200-2300 over the long haul.
a lot depends on your milk supply, cutting too low can cut your milk supply further. Also a pound a week is the golden standard based on release of toxins that may be stored in your fat. Some other theories are its ok to go a little above 1/week if you are 20 or more above prepreg weight , but that once you get back to prepregnancy weight you should then stick to 1/week max (on average) or less.
I am very active and aim for 2000-2100 most days, but actually average about 2200-2300 over the long haul.
The myth is that we need to ingest more calories to sustain milk production and it isn't the case. In fact many women end up overweight because of this.
And losing weight doesn't affect milk supply. We store enough fat in our bodies to sustain the suuply. The first things affected are our own selves, health wise, production is quite honestly not affected much even proven in
3rd world countries that they make enough milk on a cup of rice a day.
I've researched this for years...studied it and taught it.
I'm beyond tired...woke up around 2:30am to nurse...stayed awake...very busy at work right now...
I'm not following any diet plan right now...or even watching calories...I'm just getting back on track.
I have a question though.......(not really...just being silly).....I am about 15 pds. under my pregnancy beginning weight...date of delivery I'm about 24 or so...basically I didn't gain any with this pregnancy....but I still am carrying the the 30 I gained with my first....plus another 30! Plus about another 30! Is it ok if I lose 2lbs. or more a week?
I am going to focus on eathing more fruits and veggies and not junk, drinking water and exercising 3x a week.
My milk supply seems fine?, I guess. So far I haven't had to supplement....and I only pump once a day during work....although today I didn't at all...I just pumped while I nursed....then pumped about an ounce from the side he ate off of.
Better get going....I have tons of computer reports/paperwork to have ready by 9:30 am....plus progress reports for Thursday and I can't remember where I put my grade sheet!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The myth is that we need to ingest more calories to sustain milk production and it isn't the case. In fact many women end up overweight because of this.
And losing weight doesn't affect milk supply. We store enough fat in our bodies to sustain the suuply. The first things affected are our own selves, health wise, production is quite honestly not affected much even proven in
3rd world countries that they make enough milk on a cup of rice a day.
I've researched this for years...studied it and taught it.
LOL - it does for me. I produce a TON of milk. So much so that both my kids were not easily getting enough hindmilk during the first 4-6 weeks. My son was lazy. He would stop nursing as soon as the milk became more "work" and wait 20 minutes until I had more. Most kids HATE OALD, he loved it. Just would sit there and let it pour into his mouth and refuse to SUCK.
The quickest way for me to cut production to retrain him was to drop calories for a week (and yes I tried all the other techniques first). Not drastically, but significantly lower than what I was eating. Especially fat
After that, no it doesnt make much of an effect once my milk was well established and stabilized.
Yes, eventually, as in africa, the baby will control the supply and the milk will catch up. But you will get an initial change. In a 3rd world country they will just demand feed until the milk supply increases. It isnt unusual for a baby to nurse 20 times a day there to keep supply up. They also do a lot more of milk producing activity like skin to skin contact 24/7. In the US people freak out at the slightest drop in milk supply and before you get a chance to let nature heal it, pediatricians tell you you dont have enough milk.
We've seen it often in our nursing groups here, not with women eating to being overweight, but with women eating WAY too little. Usually women who are already thin with low body fat reserves and who are in that early cant sleep, cant shower, cant find time to eat stage who inadvertently have cut their calories way too low. They have slower production and the babies want to eat all the time which then compounds the issue. We have had a lot of success with making sure they get enough calories to quickly bring up supply.
Even now, if I drop too low in fat for several days in a row, my son nurses more frequently.
Deb - It isnt recommended to drop more than 1 per week because of toxins in the fat. LLL recommends not less than 1800-2000 calories a day, I would start there and see what happens. Adding in exercise is a great way to go.
I lost more than 1/week for awhile, but it is slower now. But I was never aiming for more. I just ate my 2200 calories and did my workouts and some weeks were better than others
edit - I just looked it up. From December 5th to now I averaged 2234 calories and lost an average of 1.5 lbs/week. I wouldnt go drastically low to try and lose faster, but I also ...well 2200 is A LOT of calories, I couldnt see adding 250 per day to try to slow it down either. I think my body knew what it needed
by the way...why is benjamin worthy of rolling on the floor laughing? was he a surprise?
I'm not following any diet plan right now...or even watching calories...I'm just getting back on track....I am going to focus on eathing more fruits and veggies
this is me too. I've tried to get back into the groove several times after I had Nate and each time I started self-sabotaging myself and would eat and eat and eat. I was trying to stay around 2300-2500 calories. I just kept feeling like I was giving up so much or something. This time I'm working to replace my unhealthy meals with healthy ones. That's not to mean I'm not still overeating. I was eating out for every breakfast and lunch and then going back for 2nds and sometimes 3rds at dinner. Now I'm having oatmeal or an omelet for breakfast, taking the time for a healthy morning snack and am bringing my lunch to work. Today I'm having grilled chicken breast, a baked potato, and steamed broccoli. I also have some cottage cheese and an apple on standby if I'm still hungry.
It isnt unusual for a baby to nurse 20 times a day there to keep supply up. They also do a lot more of milk producing activity like skin to skin contact 24/7. In the US people freak out at the slightest drop in milk supply and before you get a chance to let nature heal it, pediatricians tell you you dont have enough milk.
This is true from what I have seen as well.
My DDs have definitely all done the constant nursing thing. It's something very rarely talked about, and I think it kills more than one nursing relationship. Women expect to have a huge supply immediately, and when they encounter that 'round-the-clock behavior, they think they don't have enough milk to sustain their baby & the downward spiral of supplementing begins. (Which isn't to say that some women don't need to supplement, just that probably not as many as are coerced into doing it.)
You girls are JUST what I have been looking for! I am currently nursing my 8.5 month old son Logan. I have pretty much hoovered around the same weight since his birth no matter what I do, but I haven't tried dieting at all since he started solids, so I am taking the plunge again now.
I have about 40lbs to lose total, and thanks to a kidney infection I lost about 10, but gained back 5 right away (probably water weight since I was probably pretty dehydrated). My short term goal is 12lbs by June 1st. I am going to really watch my supply and try to catch any issues right away, but I don't forsee any. As long as I pump every other day or more my supply is usually in full force.
Yes, I am one of those weird women whose bodies respond better to the pump than baby, so if I cut out that one pumping session each morning my supply dips. Needless to say I have a lot of milk in the freezer since he only gets about 1 bottle a week.
welcome mommacat! Depending on how you have that frozen milk stored there are milk banks that accept donations for ill babes who would greatly benefit from momsmilk. Because of the screening they only accept 100 oz or more I think. They dont pay you, but I believe it is tax deductible.
anyway something to think about if you dont think you can use it up.
exercise seems to have more of an impact on my weightloss than when I am not nursing. My own personal theory is the "starvation threshold" (often talked about as 1200cals/day) is significantly jacked up when nursing and I have to exercise so I can eat more and reassure my metabolism that I have an abundance of food available
Hi everyone! I guess I should start posting here. I have a 2 week old son who arrived a bit earlier than anticipated (34 weeks). So far, nursing is going well and he's gaining weight. The only issue so far is latching on - he has such a small mouth that it's hard to get him on all the way so we have to be careful. I'm a little sore, but at least there's no cracking.
I'm waiting for the weather to warm up. I can't wait to start walking outside again. We don't have a double stroller yet, but DS is so little, I'll just wear him in a sling and push DD. I won't be cutting calories, but rather focus on exercise to lose weight. I'll probably count calories once he is ready to start solids.
I got confused while reading the posts......(easy to do these days )....I haven't counted my calories in a LONG time...but maybe I should.
I don't really see a dip in my milk supply.....I went back to work full time when baby was 6 weeks...I manage to pump one time from 7:30-4:30. I then nurse on depand when I'm home. I do pump before I leave. I have recently begun pumping at least two times at night.....sometimes when baby nurses...I made my own hands-free bra!
I do notice that when I drink LOTS of water I tend to get more milk...but I don't know if that's because I hadn't pumped all day either.
I pumped about 6 oz. at work around 1pm. I then came home, Ben nursed for like 5 min. He fell asleep (sucked, I know)...then I just pumped...6 0z. I'm sure he'll wake in a bit...nurse....pump before heading to bed.
I do have milk frozen...not a ton, but some. I freeze whatever milk is left in fridge on Fridays....since I'm home all weekend...and I added a pumping session on Sat. and Sunday.
What was my point? I dunno now! lol
I guess I noticed that so far I have enough milk for my little guy...he's gaining weight...thriving...
Weight loss....I'm trying not to over indugle in cakes, cookies etc. I like a high protein breakfast....lunches kinda suck...school lunches...and dinners aren't that high in fat...except when fast food or pizza! LOL
Gotta run...took a break from inputting grades and progress reports!
Deb
Nursing preemies is a pain. I have photos of me nursing Linda when she was first born (at 35w4d; I don't even know why she was considered a preemie, I guess anything before 36w is) and she's smaller than my boob! Thankfully aside from a bitty baby with a bitty mouth--which I was actually used to, considering that my first was a small 'un too--our only real issue was that she was a lazy nurser. She was easily distracted too; we'd have to swaddle her before feedings!
Oh, & I got my acceptance letter for nursing school yesterday. I'll be starting in August.
I'm following WW, though I am doing it all on my own (no meetings or online). WW gives nursing moms an extra 10 points per day and I usually have trouble eating all of those points!
I haven't noticed a huge dip in my supply - a few times I noticed a dip, but it was usually around AF. When that happens I kick up the water intake and I add in some oatmeal to my day.
Donna—Glad to hear things are going well. Nate wasn't a preemie but he was a lazy nurser too. For the first couple of months I pumped and fed it to him. I would still offer the breast and then finish a session with 2-4 oz. of milk afterward. I would then gradually offer less after each feeding until he didn't take any more after a nursing session.
Deb—I'm not really counting calories right now. I found it messed me up too much and I would feel like I was too low and then pack on calories at the end of the day.
Sabra—Congratulations on being accepted to nursing school.
We are doing well. We did a small walk last night. I had a cold the week before and I'm still getting winded a bit easier. Nate's at work with me today so I won't have to mess with the pump YAY!!!!!!
(as opposed to baby food)
)....I haven't counted my calories in a LONG time...but maybe I should.
Thankfully aside from a bitty baby with a bitty mouth--which I was actually used to, considering that my first was a small 'un too--our only real issue was that she was a lazy nurser. She was easily distracted too; we'd have to swaddle her before feedings!
I'll be starting in August.
