Breast Feeding and Weightloss

THere are two programs that are approved for weight loss during breast feeding... Weight Watchers and Body for Life... I've used Body for Life before, during and after my pregnancy. I'm careful to not lose too much weight while breastfeeding, but I am below my pre-pregnancy weight.

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Losing weight while breastfeeding is certainly not a "myth", as someone else suggested. But clearly we all have different bodies. I had sort of the opposite problem -- I lost a lot of weight when breastfeeding (and I ate a LOT) and then gained back a lot once my daughter's feeding tapered off. Sigh. So at least that won't happen to you! Because let me tell you, it is much harder for me to lose it again now that my daughter is 3 1/2. Just keep eating all the healthful food you need while you're nursing. Do NOT deprive yourself. Your baby will still get the calories he/she needs even if you're not eating as much, but you could develop vitamin deficiencies and have problems with your teeth, fingernails, hair, skin, etc. Find some books on nursing and nutrition to find ideas for which foods pack a lot of nutrition without empty calories. And drink lots of water too because you lose it when nursing.

I remember before I was pregnant that some women on Weight Watchers (I did it online) were going to a website that did a modified version of WW for nursing moms. WW itself does not endorse doing the program while pregnant or breastfeeding, but if you are pretty well-informed about nutrition and mindful that you're getting enough, that could be one option. Just do a search online for Weight Watchers and pregnancy or nursing.

And...if you aren't already doing it, make sure you are exercising regularly. I know it's not easy with a baby and work and most likely a goofy routine, but try to make it part of your daily activities, even if that just means parking the car farther away when you run errands or on your way to work.

Good luck!

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Hi M.,

Everyone told me that I'd lose weight when I breastfed. Alas, I fed her for four years and didn't lose. Even when she eased off on the amount of milk, I still didn't lose. I finally went to Weight Watchers and succeeded. I think breastfeeding makes you hungry, actually; at least it did me. I had to learn how to satisfy that hunger in a healthy way.

V.

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Hi M.!
I feel your pain!! I was ravenous while breast feeding my second baby and when she was 4 months old I had lost a mere 1/2 lb since the day I walked out of the hospital with her! I was making good food choices and going to the gym regularly, but like I said...I was ravenous! I have since started using nutritional supplements by Shaklee and went on the Cinch program they offer- that helped me actually lose weight and my doctor okayed the program as being safe while nursing- it's all based on optimal nutrition intake. I ended up losing 15 lbs over the next 2 months (finally!!)
I also joined Stroller Strides and that's been great for getting in shape and meeting wonderful moms too!
If you'd like to check out the Shaklee nutrition info- it's all derived from organic food sources- go to www.shaklee.net/mclemore
In good health, C.

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Hi M., I had the same problems, and I actually started to gain weight while breastfeeding. When my son was 5 months old I went to get checked and found out that my thyroid level was low. Many women have this problem postpartum and never get checked and don't know that their thyroid is out of whack. Which makes the whole body out of whack. I was put on levothyroid and was told I had to stop breastfeeding and that broke my heart. I talked to the pediatrician and my lactation nurse and they told me it was ok, I breastfed till he was 13 months old and had surgery. It took several months for my body to finally stabilize and find a good level of the medication. Then I found out I had a lot of nodules in my thyroid, thank God they were benign, but I did have surgery to have it removed and the whole process of the medication started all over. I lost a lot of hair!!! Not just postpartum hairloss but from the thyroid medicine. I was probably back at my pre-pregnancy weight by the time he was 18mo's-2yrs old.
I have a friend who also has had trouble losing weight while breastfeeding, and she already had thyroid problems, but her levels were normal. She eats healthy and excercizes and still nothing. So it was just the breastfeeding thing. The doctor told her once she stopped breastfeeding she should be able to lose the weight. Everyone is different and their bodies react differently. It's quite common not to lose weight. Very few women actually lose the weight that quickly. I know it's frustrating, but hang in there. Just in case go see a doctor first and get your thyroid checked, and rule that out. Good luck.

I read in a baby mag a while back that when a woman is pregnant and breastfeeding that they store excess fat around thier mid sections to insure a good supply for the baby. I know that many people say when you breast feed weight comes off quicker, but for me it is the first. I cant get rid of the "baby fat" around my mid section even when I work out, but then when I stop breat feeding it drops fairly quickly. Maybe this is true for you as well. Good luck!!!

People say you lose weight when breastfeeding...But in reality, I've found this to be a "myth." I breastfed both my children, and did not lose weight because of it. Many Moms I know, did not lose weight breastfeeding either. After you wean... you will probably need to just exercise and watch your diet.

I know it is busy with a baby and you're working...Mom's rarely have time for themselves....but perhaps you can get a jogging stroller, and after work or when your schedule permits, go running or brisk walking. Also, adding weight resistance exercises are always great at boosting the metabolism and tones the body.

Take heart, many moms don't lose the "baby weight" afterwards. It's not easy. But, consistent exercising will help. It takes time. Good luck to you and take care. I know how you feel, as this happened to me as well.
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

After reding these responses, all I can say is everyone is different. Don't hold yourself up to anyone else's standards. Most people couldn't make it through 11 months of breastfeeding! Congratulations. I lost all of my weight bf both my kids for 7 months, but I definitely noticed that muffin top fat decreases a little after UI stopped. My husband noticed a huge diiference especially in my tummy.

M.,

Weight watchers has a program for nursing mothers and it worked really well for me. I think some women lose weight while breastfeeding and other hold onto it. Some women lose weight when they wean and other don't. Having a baby seriously changes your body in ways you can't even imagine. Check out the WW program.

:-)T.

Don't feel bad..After each of my three kids, I did not lose the last 20 lbs until about a month or two after breastfeeding. I just was hungrier while breastfeeding and more conscious about eating a lot more (to ensure I had enough milk) than after breastfeeding. It seemed like forever before I lost the weight! After I stopped, I just got really busy taking care of the other kids and started eating less. At the time I was at home full-time, but now that I am working outside the home, I actually eat more! (Luckily I have been running a lot and competing in races that it keeps my weight under control)

I could not kick those last 10 pounds while I was nursing, either. Once I weaned my daughter, I finally started seeing progress. I think its our bodies way of making sure the baby gets what he/she needs and we don't start leaching nutrients from our own bones. Good luck with losing the weight!!

once you stop breastfeeding, you can concentrate more on your nutrition for just yourself. you also have to make sure that you stay active. I've breastfed 3 kids and with every single one, when I stopped breastfeeding is when I gained more weight. remember, with breastfeeding you use up more calories. so if you don't watch your caloric intake as well as how much exercising you're getting, you could gain weight.

congratulations on breastfeeding for 11 months!

I also didn't/couldn't lose weight while breastfeeding because breastfeeding gave me a ravenous appetite, and I reached for the wrong foods for quick fixes (sugary cereals).

If you exercise and eat well, you will lose weight. Breastfeeding helps because you burn calories while doing it, just like you burn calories while running, biking, swimming, etc.. Eat well and eat often and it will come off - breastfeeding or not. I've been nursing or pregnant since 02 and after both kids (while still nursing) was able to get in to tip top shape but I had to do more than breastfeed to get here.
M.

I could not loose weight either. After you finish b-feeding you will do fine, just be patient. At some point, age varies 30-40, women need less calories, and if we don't heed it, we become the statistic of gaining one pound for each year we have been out of high school... (me).

Best, E. H

Both extremes exist: some moms become "rail thin" as a result of breast feeding, some moms (like me!) become ravenously hungry and retain their "baby" weight. I nursed for four and a half years continuously and stayed heavy the entire time. It was THEIR time, not mine and I wanted to focus on them.

NOW I've lost the weight and I'm perfectly happy. My chubby years are but a dim memory! (There is a sad thing I've noticed: moms who stop nursing early in ORDER TO begin losing weight. Goodness! Nursing was a time of such blessing that I can't imagine cutting it short for something which can always be addressed later!)

Be encouraged...you're still beautiful and the weight loss will be easier when you're done nursing.

It is weird how different breastfeeding and weight is for everyone- a friend at work is so much skinnier now that she is breastfeeding and she said she would do it forever if she could- my experience breastfeeding my 3 for about a year apiece was that I was starving and didn't really lose any weight until they were weaned, and weaning was good for a quick 10-15 pound loss. I think it just depends on your body and how it reacts to breastfeeding. It may be that when you finish weaning, you will lose some weight too. Good luck!

Hey,

have you checked to see if there is a Stroller Strides class in your area. It is an awsome workout that you can do with your baby. The instructors are inspiring and its loads of fun. It helped me get in thte best shape of my life.

Hello M.,
I am in the same boat as you. My active daughter is 10 months and I work full time. I stopped pumping when she was 8 months (I think it was a stressful week)because I would pump only 2-3oz total. So at day care she has formula (but only 2 bottles, refuses any more and waits until I pick her up). I have gained weight since delivery and then successfully lost 12 lbs by taking out sugar, some starches and being more mindful of my carb intake. I think I would have lost more if I incorporate exercise, but I haven't found that balance just yet. With the nice weather and daylight saving I plan on walking while strollering at least 3x a week.
My advice is small changes while breastfeeding. Yes, we get hungry and use lots of energy, but we can limit our sugar (not fruits, but ice cream etc..), and carbs and try to be more active.
I read somewhere to stay away from bagels. Bagels have lots of carbs and calories. That was a shock because bagels were my quick and easy food choice. Now I have oatmeal with berries or raisins (no sugar).

I know my comment is not a quick solution or maybe what you were expecting. I am just in support of you and I know with working and trying to manage it all adds stress which for us women impacts our weight management. Keep striving and be encouraged. The weight will come off.

I understand your frustration. You hear everyone talk about how breastfeeding was the reason people got their body back so easy. Not for me either. I think it's because #1..breastfeeding makes you hungry and maybe we tend to eat more than we realize and #2..it's hard to cut back calories because we don't want to lose our supply of milk. After having my 3rd and last child I decided to stop breastfeeding when he was 4 months old because I had gotten so overweight over the course of having 3 kids in 4 years that I had to take losing weight seriously. In 10 months I've lost 55lbs and am still working on losing 50 more. I could not have done it while breastfeeding.

I have had the same problem I actually went and had a blood test and it turned out my thyroid levels were low (thyroid controls you metabolism) Maybe you should look into it?

Aloha M.,

6 months after my daughte was born, I hadn't lost a single pound......not even her 9 pounds from when she was born. I was the same weight as if I was pregnant which totally baffled me. I did two things that made a total difference for me. I followed the weight management program for Shaklee (I had been using other Shaklee products for years already so I figured that being a quality program it would be a good choice.) The other thing I did was set the kitchen timer for 30 minutes and I could not stop moving until it rang. So it didn't matter what movements but as long as I was moving....joggin in place in front of the tv, jumping jacks, having my little ones chase me around the house, "mop-aerobics", etc. By doing those two things together, the weight loss was steady and I went from a size 16 down to a size 7 :O) So, whatever you choose to do, YOU CAN DO IT!

Blessings,
Marie-anne

Everybody has a different metabolism, some do lose weight while breast feeding while others "hold on" to everything they eat. Please try an exercise program, almost all "types" respond well to exercise on a regular basis. I am a Curves trainer and have seen many M.'s lose weight and have fun while doing it.
PS: eat high fiber and low fat foods.....