I desperately miss running and feel like I'm ready to start back (really really slowly). Does anyone else have experience with running while nursing?

What I'm worried about is the bra situation. I always had to strap my breasts down with two bras while running, but now they're even huger and full of milk! I'm afraid that strapping them down will affect my milk supply. Anyone know about this?

How many weeks pp are you? I thought I would never be able to move quicker than a fast walk or ever do an aerobics video, but at 3 months pp I have dropped a bra size and cup size. They feel almost...normal! They were gigantic before but now I feel like my supply has regulated (I have problems w/oversupply). Baby is nursing as much as usual and I still have lots of milk but at least they don't feel like they will explode. Is there a running store near you? I have an Enell bra that works really well, and they make custom sizes if you need one. Ok hope that helps a little, I know everyone is different. Do you have a LLL near you? I bet a leader could help w/questions about supply and compression.

Also, I have found that just walking at a fast pace is much more effective for me. I do the Leslie Sansone 3 mile and I am sweating buckets by the end of it--no bouncing or jiggling involved!!! When the baby is fussy I put here in a carrier and do the workout. Man it's tough. I have no problems with my joints so far either--running does a number on me because I am still carrying quite a bit of extra weight.

I'm 8 weeks pp and I probably will start out just walking mostly because I won't be able to run much at this weight and fitness level. But for me it's not about what burns calories anymore, honestly -- I seriously got addicted to running and I miss it intensely. It started out as a way to lose weight but it became much more than that, and walking can't even come close for me. I do have some Leslie Sansone DVDs that I'll probably do until I can get back to a level of running that works, but I seriously can't wait much longer!! I haven't run since December!!

Oh if you are 2 mo. pp then your supply should level out soon! Hang in there. I'm sure you will be able to get back into running soon! I'm jealous that you have found something that you like so much.

I wouldn't think that strapping your breasts down while running will affect your milk supply. Make sure to have plenty of support.

at 2 mos. pp, you should be fine to run....as long as your doc has cleared you to exercise. I'm pregnant right now and run daily, my doc said I should be able to safely run until I'm too big to do so Probably around 8 mos. after that, brisk walking.

At 2 months postpartum, you are just starting to ease into the place where your milk supply levels out, and you don't experience engorgement half the day, etc.

I *believe* if you look online at some of the websites for breastfeeding products, that there are some sportsbras MADE for nursing mothers...

Here's a good one:

Nursing sports bra from La Leche League (scroll down quite a bit...it's down a ways...)

http://www.mommygear.com/nursingbras.htm

I am large busted, and I always had the best luck with nursing bras from La Leche League, Medela, and Bravado. The ones from Motherhood, Target, etc. were never supportive enough for me.

Haha! I wear 2 sports bras too when I do aerobics/tennis. I am 3 1/2 mths post partum. I have had absolutely no problems with this affecting my milk supply. I nurse exclusively. I was worried the exercise would diminish it, but as long as there is sufficient intake of fluids, and baby is nursing regularly, the milk supply seems to do just fine! Good Luck! xoxoxo

My dd is 8 months... and I'm still nursing.

I have to wear 3 bras to avoid hitting myself in the face LOL. I think my gigantic boobs have more to do with being overweight than breastfeeding, though.

I'm sure you'll be fine, just make sure you have some support up there!

zeffryn - I wanted to run while pregnant but I tried early in the pregnancy and had some bleeding after only running an easy 3 miles. It happened twice, and that was enough for me to say forget it.

aphil - Thanks for the link -- I'll check it out!

Ami - Thanks -- it's good to hear from someone who's nursing and working out hard and not experiencing problems! Very encouraging!

Val - my gigantic boobs are definitely from being overweight too! When I was 165, I still wore a D, but it was just a single D! Of course, now they're back to their old huge size! You and I are around the same weight and height and we have a similar goal, by the way!

I went out Friday for a very light jog -- I lasted 10 minutes, which was more than I thought I would. I did the same on Saturday. My legs really hurt still! It's crazy -- a year ago I could run for 2 1/2 hours straight! I'll get back there, though!

I LOVE RUNNING!!

My son is 10 months, still nursing and I run about 40-50 miles a week on a good week.

Got back into running again around when my son was 3 months...needed to recover from popping him out.

I have no problems...apart from eating lots and lots...!!

I didnt run while I was pregnant because i was too sick..instead i got into the habit of walking everyday..not the same but its all i could manage.

I know I'm new here, but seen your post and wanted to answer as I used to be a breastfeeding counselor for our health department..not too long ago

in the "old" days so to speak; binding your breasts did help with drying up your milk supply...

Nowadays; it does but it has to be bound so tightly to affect it and on a constant basis...so wearing a tight fitting bra is not going to affect you especially if you don't wear it all of the time..

a Good nursing athletic bra is what you should use..but please note; NOT one nursing mom should be wearing a bra with an underwire! Those have been proven to give clogged ducts etc..(IN some women; NOT all of course)

if you ever think your milk supply is impacted for any reason; drink more water and nurse more..not pump..nurse...

GL! I think you have been given good advice from the ladies above..have fun running!

Oh wow thanks for posting that advice. I was about to buy the champion bra with underwire but I think I will stick with the one without underwire.