[Pudgebrownie]

I had my first child back in September. Prior to pregnancy I had lost 30lbs, then gained 30lbs during pregnancy but was fortunate to lose it all in a matter of weeks with help of strictly breastfeeding. Now I'm pre-pregnancy weight, and ready to lose 10lbs more at a minimum, and 20lbs more ideally. I'm about 125lbs currently. But now that my daughter is 10 months old, my husband and I are ready to consider having another child. I hope my body will bounce back like it did the last go around but you just never know. Pregnancy certainly doesn't get any kinder as we age, and I'm getting closer to 30 than I am to 20. :P And after the second baby, we'll possibly consider a third and last one. So that'll be 3 pregnancies in a nearby row.


For those of you that are STILL adding bundles of joy to your clan, what is your overall motto and thought process regarding weight, when in and out of pregnancy?

[1yr2mkovr]

Hey!

Can't say that I'm "still" having babies, because I don't have any yet, but one of the reasons that I'm losiing weight is because my husband and I want to start working on a family in about a year! (Super exciting! Can't wait!!!)

My plan (as unexperienced as I am) is to eat all natural, real, food during pregnancy, and I think that will be a safe bet. Babies need a lot of nutrients and the more I read about it the more I am convinced that eating a super healthy diet and staying active (by simply walking or taking a workout class for expectant mothers) is very important for how the baby develops. I keep reading research that how a mother eats during pregnancy may have a dierect effect on determining this fututre person's development and skills for the rest of thier life (including adulthood). So I'm definitely planing on eating well

I think that 30 lbs gain during pregnancy is within the normal range, and most of that (usually when it's "healthy" weight gain) does seem to melt at you breast feed. So considering that you had such a good exprience the first time around (with the weight gain and loss), I think you're probably on the right track for the second baby too.

We are also hoping to have three kids, and since I want to be done with the pregrs stuff by 35, it will mean a baby about every 2 years... hopefully

[Pudgebrownie]

1yr2mkovr, I certainly wish you the very best with your prep towards motherhood! Once you guys conceive, I'd recommend checking out Baby Center, and finding a "birthclub" that has literally thousands of expecting mothers worldwide. I learned a lot on there about pregnancy and post pregnancy :]


Well, I knew I'd gain weight during my pregnancy. In general, I was told that if you are at a healthy weight pre-pregnancy, expect to gain quite a bit of weight. If you are overweight pre-pregnancy, expect to gain little if any weight. Sounds a bit nutty but it makes sense if you think about it. I attest that breastfeeding works - it did for me - and I'd recommend it to anyone that is wiling to give it a try. I breastfed up until 3 months and then started incorporating formula because milk supply was not up to par - boo! It's just a reminder that our bodies all work and function differently.

[basquegirl]

I don't have any advice but I'm glad you wrote this because I'm in the same boat as 1yr2mkover. My husband and I are planing on starting to have kids here in the next year or so. We have been long having a conversation about breastfeeding. I was not breastfed and he was. Both of us are over weight and working on losing... but he really wants me to breastfed and I have always been turned off by the idea. I don't know why but I find it to be a shameful thing. My mom did not do it and neither did my sister who has 3 kids. I don't want ANYONE to know that I am doing it including my family who will for sure be in the hospital and around for the first few weeks constantly. He says I can pump and not need to actually breastfed but I just have a total complex about it. I know that it is natural and should not be shameful but that is just my feeling. I know it will help me lose the weight I put on after the fact but I just can't get over my other feelings. Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I just do it because it is best for the kid and just get over my complex with it? If I do it how can I bring it up to my family (who I don't think will support me)?

[Pudgebrownie]

Originally Posted by basquegirl

I don't have any advice but I'm glad you wrote this because I'm in the same boat as 1yr2mkover. My husband and I are planing on starting to have kids here in the next year or so. We have been long having a conversation about breastfeeding. I was not breastfed and he was. Both of us are over weight and working on losing... but he really wants me to breastfed and I have always been turned off by the idea. I don't know why but I find it to be a shameful thing. My mom did not do it and neither did my sister who has 3 kids. I don't want ANYONE to know that I am doing it including my family who will for sure be in the hospital and around for the first few weeks constantly. He says I can pump and not need to actually breastfed but I just have a total complex about it. I know that it is natural and should not be shameful but that is just my feeling. I know it will help me lose the weight I put on after the fact but I just can't get over my other feelings. Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I just do it because it is best for the kid and just get over my complex with it? If I do it how can I bring it up to my family (who I don't think will support me)?

This is my opinion.


You do what you feel is best for you and the baby. The best way to become comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding is education - get educated on what breastfeeding is and does for your body and for your child. Breastfeeding is a personal decision, and should not be decided based on what friends or family feel. I breastfeed NOT for weight loss but because I knew that it was the ideal choice for my baby and her health - tough titties for everyone else that felt otherwise :] Like I said, read up on it, take a class, learn what breastfeeding is and does - know your options!

[1yr2mkovr]

Hi basquegirl!

I'm so glad you wrote! I am a big proponent of breast feeding and am DEFINITELY planning to do it! I'm not a "hater" of thse who don't but I think that there is sooooo much information that clearly indicated how important it is for a child from health to future potential... Obviously kids who don't get breast fed aren't doomed, but I just don't think that they get the same leg up in the world as they could have and since most parents want the best for thier kids I think that this is a small sacrifice for some incredible potential!

Having said that I do squirm when people talk about a new mother's breasts and I don't like the idea of being a "cow" for my child, but I just know that I will have to get over it! I know people who watch other people breast feed and think it's beautiful -- well, I don't. And when family of ours started having kids, I told my family (and my husband) that when it's my turn, they can forget about watching me (I'll be doing it in private) and I don't want to hear them talk about my breasts! I told everyone that after I have babies, my breasts will not become some public domain. So I set the ground rules already, and I think you can do the same in your family too. Tell them that you don't want to hear their oppinions on the matter. That's it, case closed.

And maybe pumping will be the best solution for you? Why not? Your baby still gets all the benefits, plus your husband will get to do some of the work

One thing that you can do, since you're like me and it's a little ways away, you can immerse yourself in reading about it and watching video's and looking at diagrams -- just really looking at ALL material related to breast feeding -- NOT for educational purposes, but simply to try and desensitize yourself from the complex that you have. It may be super grose at first for you, but then over time (especially if you have a year) you'll get used to the idea.

Anyway, I'm really glad that you posted!!!

[basquegirl]

Thank you both for your advice! I will have to get some books and research more on the internet. Luckily I have some time I really appreciate the advice and your point of view. I don't know what I will decide but for now I will start educating myself on the matter more.

Thanks again