BreastFeeding Mama's

I remember feeling this way both times I breastfed my sons. It was around 6 months when they were getting almost all of their calories from me. I felt so grimy from all the calories I consumed. I went back to sane eating habits quickly after weening them both at a year.

Well, breastmilk does get 50% of it's calories from fat, so he is sucking the fat right out of you. Good for you for breast feeding, keep it up. I went to 15 months, wish I could have make it to 18 months. Why not take advantage of this and see if you could do some modeling? You have the body for it.

You're not the only one, lol. I know having to eat so much is annoying... but at least enjoy the nice body :)

First of all, thank your lucky stars that you are not battling extra weight. I lost with my first one but did not with the next two so weight loss is not a given. If your doctor has run all the appropriate tests and you are healthy just relax and enjoy breastfeeding your healthy little son. It does look like your nutrition could use a tune up though. Might try working with a nutritionist and also contact the La Leche League and see if they can't provide you with some information.

Hi A.,

I initially lost weight while BF, but I did develop hypothyroidism, so it quickly tapered off. Make sure your doctor measured thyroid antibodies (few do). If you have antibodies, you can be going towards hyper and still have normal tests. Pregnancy and childbirth can trigger this.

That all said, I'll a few comments on your diet - it does not seem nutrient dense overall and you don't seem to be eating too much protein, nor do I see healthy fats. Mother nature makes sure that the breastmilk gets all the nutrients the baby needs and will "steal" from the mother, so to speak, if the daily diet isn't providing everything.

I would ditch the chips - there's virtually no nutritional value to them. Also, the breakfast cereal is the same. I can't even remember what a nutty buddy is, but again, it doesn't sound like it provides too many nutrients that you or your baby need. I do recommend this mini-meal model, but you need protein with every meal - either healthy meats, eggs, nuts or bean/seeds. Also, having a smoothie everyday with protein powder (I like pea, rice or hempseed) and alot of fruit will give you some condensed nutrients. Also, add some healthy oils to your diet - olive oil, fish oil, and something like flax seed oil. And, if you can tolerate butter, it is very healthy. Folks are afraid of fat, but eating the healthy fats is a necessity - you just want to make sure to balance the fats in things like your chips (Omega 6s) with the other oils (Omega 3s and 9s). Your consumption of these is also very important for your baby's health - the 3s are very important for brain development and are not made by the human body. It's the transfats and the fats in commercial/non-grassfed meats that you want to avoid. The fats in grassfed and free range meats are different and far healthier. Eggs also are an excellent source of nutrition.

Also, what size are your water bottles? Even if they are 16 oz., that's really likely not enough to compensate for both your body's daily needs and that needed to provide the breastmilk. Your weightloss may be around 10 lbs of water in my experience - I was on an antihistamine for allergies and I lost 15 lbs in 3 months one time.

Although this did NOT happen to me (I didn't lose a pound until I stopped breastfeeding, then when I stopped, the weight magically melted away with very little effort on my part. But, this exact thing happened to a friend of mine. She breastfed her child exclusively (no table foods even) for more than a year and lost huge a lot of pounds, becoming underweight as a result. She & the baby are fine now, though. I think some it can just be hard for some women's bodies to supply all the necessary calories for so long.

Congratulations on your son!! I'm glad you are breast feeding! I think you are doing a marvelous job. I agree with another poster about some of the foods you eat though. There is nothing of nutritional value in the cereal, chips, or snacky type foods you are eating so it isn't helping your body replace any fat or calories. Although you do a great job of incorporating in fruits and veggies I would try to replace your crunchy foods with almonds and kick up your protein intake. Cheese, eggs, fish, beans. Otherwise keep up the great job!

this happened to me too, and it also happened to my dog when she had puppies. It's normal and you will be OK, and so will your son since it sounds like you're eating and not starving yourself. Really - don't worry about it, you'll probably gain back to a "normal" weight once he weans. Keep up your water intake and a healthy amount of calories. It's all good. :)

Everyone should be so lucky to lose weight like you did. However, I do not see any meat, vitamins (B) or brewers yeast, dairy and whole grains. You are still eating for two but in a different way now. As one poster mentioned your body will take from your reserves to produce what is needed for the child at your expense and health down the line. How much water do you drink? Do you drink a bottle as you nurse your child or do you just drink when you are thirsty? If you drink when thirsty you are not drinking enough. You say that your doctor says you are fine, check with a nutritionist for help. The brewer's yeast can come from a bottle of beer a day. I know a lot of you don't drink and I don't like beer but I drank a bottle a day while I nursed my daughter in the rocking chair. We were in Canada at the time and I would get a case a month. When I finished nursing no more beer and whatever weight was left came off. Baby was born in March and I wore a bikini in July my other clothes fit but different from having the baby. Good luck to you. The other S.

The same thing happened to me. When my dd was 6 months old, I weighed less then than I did before I was pregnant, by 15 pounds. I continued to lose weight until she was completely weaned at 12 months. I ate a ton, too. My daughter was a very good eater! My doc was never concerned about it. I gained back about 10 pounds after she was weaned. Since you've had all those tests, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Good luck.

Lots of breastfeeding moms don't lose baby weight at all so it's not a sure thing! Maybe concentrate on lots of protein (I ate cottage cheese when I was pregnant b/c I had a hard time gaining weight) and complex carbs (whole grain bagels/bread, oatmeal)?

Also check out kellymom.com I beleive she has some info on there about mom's weight and apparently studies have shown that baby's ounce intake levels off around 6 months - it's not like he's taking in twice the ounces that he was when he was 4 months. The composition of your breastmilk changes though to be what he needs.

I say this with love...I HATE YOU. :) I agree with you that it makes sense, if you think about it. And now I am craving a nutty buddy!

Personally, I dont think that it is breastfeeding that is causing your massive weight loss. I am a mother of three children that were exclusively breastfed. I breastfed my son until he was 14 monhts (he is now 7), I breastfed my first daughter until she was 10 months old (she is now 3 and I only stopped because I got pregnant again so be careful - just because you dont get a period while breastfeeding, doesnt mean you cant get pregnant!) and I am still currently breastfeeding my youngest daughter (20 monhts old). Throughout all of the breastfeeding with all three of my children, I never lost any weight. If anything I gained weight because I would crave sweets and carbs. Sounds to me like you are just keeping your metabolism running, but your weightloss could be a sign of something more serious. So I think you are on the right track having the doctor check you out. If it were me, I wouldnt stop breastfeeding until I knew for sure that it was harmful.

I have a friend that has your problem, she eats all the time (all the things that I would love to eat) and she is so thin, so I understand your frustration. Hope it all works out for you and for now I would say just eat all the things that I would love to eat.....cakes, ice cream....mmmmmmmmmm - ice cream!

yea for you! yep I lost weight big time while breast feeding my youngest, but alas, it doesn't last afterward! Eat while you can girl! I nursed both my boys for 19 months then I decided I wanted to quit and never regreted it. Good luck!

Perfectly normal. It takes between 800 & 1000 calories a day to breast a baby. Do the math. Say you eat 2000 calories a day and use half of that to feed your baby. You are gonna lose weight.

Assuming that your thyroid and pituitary gland are all in order, All I can say is focus more on fats (good fats - olive oil, nuts, wheat germ).. What to Eat when you're Expecting has a lot of "calorie dense" high nutrient foods listed.

A. - I think you are fine. If you go below the lowest weight you have ever been, that's when you need to worry. I am only breastfeeding my son 70% of the time and I'm still losing weight. I weigh less than pre-pregnancy, but not less than my lowest weight. Keep in mind that the calories that you are burning are much more than you ever had burned pre-pregnancy! And also be VERY aware when you wean that you can't eat the same!!! Also you might want to figure out when a max time you would breast feed. Some kids will continue to breastfeed until they are 5 or 6 if you let them! My friend breastfed her boy until he was 3 which I personally think is too long, but that's a personal decision.

My third baby is almost 13month and we are still breast feeding. I am 5'7", I weighed 126 when I got pregnant and gained 44 pounds - I am now 114. I am pretty certain it is contributed to the breast feeding. I platoed a few months ago. I wouldn't worry about it until you are done nursing - you will likely gain back some weight when you are done - I did with my other 2.

A.,

The same thing happened to me with each baby and I breast fed each of my girls until they were between 18 and 24 months old. The nursing brought the weight off and I was worried I was getting too thin. However, after I stopped nursing each one I slowly gained back my weight and went back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I ate and still eat lots of small meals. I suppose once I got into the habit while pregnant I just kept doing it. Hang in there. As long as the doctor has checked everything out and you have no problems, just ride it out. This too will pass. God bless you and nurse that baby as long as you can, I enjoyed every moment of it.

You need a lot of fat and meat. My child is now suffering ill health from the lack of enough of both in my diet. My research has led me here:

http://www.westonaprice.org/children/dietformothers.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/dietguidelines...
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/dietdangers.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/pcnutrition.html

Your story sounds so much like mine. The only thing that I found that helped was to eat a lot more meat (it takes longer to digest) and nuts (good fats). Also, I started buying Chocolate Boost from Sam's by the case. Each one has like 300 or 400 calories. The one negative I did find that by around 9 months or so I started getting sick all of the time and I think it was because I didn't have enough fat. I weaned at 1 year due to my poor health and the lack of energy that I had. Even several months later my blood work is still kind of out of whack. It's all in the normal range, but very low in the range. My daughter is almost 21 months old and I still can't gain any weight back. I've started working out more just to try and put on some more muscle. It seems like my metabolism is still in overdrive and I still eat quite a bit more than I did before I was pregnant and still am under my pre-pregnancy weight by 10lbs. Good luck, it's really hard to get sympathy from other moms who are still struggling to get rid of those last few pounds but it's really hard trying to go the other way too. So I feel for you and you aren't alone. Good luck!

sounds like a thyroid problem to me. If they haven't run a thyroid panel have them do so immediately - also run the thyroid antibodies that sometimes shows a problem when the normal T3/T4 or TSH don't.

Good luck!

I breastfed both my kids and am planning on doing it again here soon to my soon to be new baby. The main thing to remember is that Breastfeeding alone costs your body 1500 calories, so you need to add that amount into your diet just to keep from losing weight. You seem to be eating pretty healthy, which is good, but it sounds like you are not taking in as many calories as you are burning, thus weight loss. I hope this helps, and I wish I had your "problem" with the weight and milk production. Since I work full time and have to pump, my milk usually starts to deplete around 6-9 months, but I keep it up until a year. Good luck.

I hoped this would happen to me when I breastfed...no such luck! Here I am almost three years later and I still have weight to lose!

All I know is, if the doc could figure out what's causing the weight loss and bottle it up for distribution, you'd be a very rich woman!! I'd definitely by bottles of that stuff!!! :)

get a second or third medical opinion.

Unless you're falling into an unhealthy weight, then my advice...don't complain! I breastfed for a year, but only lost 1/2 the baby weight in the first few weeks. After that, I couldn't lose any more, even though I ate healthy and excersized. As long as your doctors not concerned, then I would be happy with your clothes being too big! I wish the weight had melted off of me, but I wasn't that lucky!

Given the amount and fat content of what you say you're eating, I don't think this is a breastfeeding issue. Breastfeeding only burns about 500 calories a day (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13554430/ - see third Q&A from bottom) and you have to burn 3500 calories to lose a SINGLE pound! If the # of calories consumed is right for a non-breastfeeding woman of your weight/muscle mass, you'd only lose 1 pound a week by breastfeeding. To determine your calorie requirements, visit this site.

http://www.thelifestylecompany.com/wloss/dcr.asp

you're not alone! i'm the same way & i try to eat plenty of avocados and almonds to keep my caloric intake high despite my natural leaning toward beans & brown rice and my aversion to dairy.

good mama for providing your little one with the best & no need to stop at 1...the world health org recommends to 2! ;D

Wow!! I breastfed all my kids - my last for over 2 years - initially I lost a lot of weight (within 2 weeks all the baby weight gone!) - then I started gaining it back despite watching my diet and bf - discovered a thyroid problem.

I would agree with the person about some of the non-nutrient rich food in your diet - but seems like you burn calories like crazy!

as long as your bloodwork is normal and you don't have a tapeworm (kidding!) - I wouldn't worry about it - enjoy!!!!

I completely understand! I b/f for a year and while I am 5'3" and usually weigh about 100-105 lbs, I got down to 92! I felt disgusting like I looked like a little kid! I was already feeling weird about my body b/c of childbirth and leaky breast (lol), but I looked like a little boy and people just couldn't resist but to ask me about it day and night. It was furiating! I eat nonstop too! The doc had to put me on antidepressants after I quit breastfeeding, and I am back up to 99.5. Only 6.5 more pounds to gain!
It does get better after you stop breastfeeding, but I would just keep doing what you're doing, and know that even though you might be disappearing, your baby certainly isnt, and it's totally worth it for now!

I totally admire Mary B's information. She is right about ditching the chips and the cereal. My mother was a nutritional guru and whenever we'd hold out a box of sugary cereal that we wanted her to put in our grocery cart - she'd always say, "You might as well eat the cardboard box it comes in. That's how much nutrients you'll be getting."

You can eliminate many "empty" calories by avoiding things that have bleached white flour or sugar as their #1 ingredient on the label. So, when you make that PB and banana sandwich, use whole grain bread. Ezekiel's sprouted grain bread is really nice. It is made using the Bible's recipe for bread. Find it frozen at Sprout's, Whole Foods, and Central Market.

Oh, keep Ezekiel's bread in the fridge. You can't leave it sitting out on the counter for days - - bread mold will attack it quickly. Makes me wonder about all other breads - - if MOLD won't even eat it, why should we?

Dear A., how great that you are choosing to breastfeed your baby until he is done - don't be surprised if he goes longer than what you expect right now :). I can relate to what you are describing, although I did not lose as much as you have. I, too, have always had a good metabolism. I reached my pre-pregnancy weight within a week of giving birth, and I ate like a horse (and always have, throughout the entire time I was nursing). I am 5'5 and weigh 110lbs., and I am not trying. I am feeling fabulous, always have. If your doctor has ruled out any issues and you feel well, I wouldn't be concerned. As long as you eat well and drink plenty of water (and it sounds like you do), just enjoy that you won't have to fight the post-baby fat and enjoy your family! Good luck to you!
M.

A.,

I was the same way. After giving birth the most expensive part was buying new clothes every week because I was loosing so much weight! My son weened himself at 11.5 months and and a few months later my weight leveled off. I still remain weighing less than I did before I was pregnant, but it was still a healthy weight for me. Weight training helped me gain about 5 lbs and some really lean muscle. I usually eat every four hours because my metabolism demands it! I'm 9 weeks pregnant again and I haven't gained but a pound, but my eating habits have been increased to at least every 2-3 hours or I get woozy. Consider it a blessing, but normal for our metabolism. God Bless!

Are your thyroid levels normal? I've heard they can get out of whack after giving birth.

This is just where I"m coming from because I've had hyperthyroidism in the past, before pregnancy and was told by my doc to have it monitored after pregnancy.

All i can say is you lucky little stinker...LOL...I wish i could eat like this and get skinny. UGH :-). I am gonna try going on the A. C diet....Teasing..congrats on the new little one. Take care and God Bless.

Wow, you could be writing my story!! Only difference is my baby boy is only 3 weeks old! I am eating ALL the time and probably drinking 8-10 bottles of water each day. I am already down within 10 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight--and with breasts this large, I am guessing that is where the ten pounds are. I am in my pre-pregnant jeans and desperately trying to hold on to the weight i have. I guess if you figure out a different way to keep the weight on than eating enough food for three adults, let me know. Until then, I just wanted you to know someone else out there was dropping pounds like you. I dropped a lot of weight a few years ago, while not pregnant and had lots of tests done, too....Doc got pretty concerned, but we never found anything wrong and eventually decided it was just stress. After lots of soul searching conversations with my husband, I got back to a healthy weight and got more help from him, thus relieving most of my stress. Lots of luck!!

After my first son was born I too, lost more than I weighed pre-pregnancy. It wasn't much--maybe 5 lbs less. Then I had my second son and lost maybe closer to 10 lbs less than that pre-pregnancy weight (making me underweight). I didn't change any eating habits except that I was breastfeeding and taking in more calories than when I didn't breastfeed. So, it sounds pretty similar to your situation. I too eat lots of fruits and veggies (I'm vegetarian but I do eat dairy). I stay away from treats during the week and am active. The doctor didn't think I had a problem--just an active metabolism. I haven't breastfed for 4 years years and I'm steady at 115-118lbs at 5'8". Still underweight. So, I just try to eat healthy and not stress about it. I'm not going to go out of my way to gain weight if I feel healthy. So, this probably doesn't give you any answers--just know you're not the only one!

This happend to me with the first child that I breastfeed. I lot 3lbs a week for as long as I was nursing. I haven't been so lucky with the last 2.

i was an exclusive nursing mom to all 3 of my kidos. As your baby grows, so does his need for more food. You must increase your calorie intake to keep up or your body will find it! i nursed for a little over 2 years with all and by the end i was eating 4-5 MEALS a day and the skinniest of my life. On average, i was told for the first year i must eat 3000 calories a day (la leche legue)...that is a lot! You may need to find higher caloric foods...i was a big avacodo eater...i also used much rice in my diet (higher in protien than pastas). If your baby can tolerate dairy (mine could not) i would be eating lots of yogurt...and no low fat stuff either! Good luck...