Breastfeeding with Low Calorie Diet

Hi S., Your milk supply will be entirely dependent on how well and how frequently the milk is removed from the breast. If your baby is nursing often and removing milk well from the breasts, your body will make exactly as much milk as your baby needs. Milk production abides by the laws of supply and demand. Go to www.llli.org and search the FAQ's on this topic. There you will find the most accurate and up-to-date information on this subject. A reduced calorie diet has an impact on your body, not your milk supply. What will have a long term impact on your health is the quality of foods you eat. Foods that are nutritionally dense and low calorically generally are foods closest to their natural state, ie. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, roots, leafy greens, berries, beans, lelgumes, fresh good quality fish, chicken, pork, meats, etc. Processed, boxed, preserved foods are not. Nursing your baby will also have a tremendous beneficial effect on your physical health. Your will loose more weight, easily. The longer you nurse, the longer you will benefit. Many moms find that they feel much healthier and return to better shape than they were before their pregnancy while nursing their babies. At the same website, look at the listed benefits to mom. The list is long!!!. Good luck on this wonderful journey. Remember, before and/or after the birth of your baby, you can seek help from your local LLL Leader or a IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) which you can locate through ILCA.org.

All the best,

C. Clark, LLLL, IBCLC
Teaneck, NJ 07666
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1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,

Good for you thinking about keeping yourself healthy. =)

Because you are/have been aware of your nutritional situation, you are ahead of the game. My question here is: Why are you so concerned about restricting calories? My understanding of GD is only an issue when you are pregnant, so it won't be an issue when you are breastfeeding (obviously, no longer pregnant). Another understanding I have is: the main issue with GD (and diabetes in general) has to do with the type of sugars ingested not the calorie count.

Since you are clearly wanting to make sure you are creating enough milk, be sure to drink a TON of water. Some other new moms I know haven't been drinking enough water so their milk supply is really really really low! Obviously, limiting or keeping off caffeine, sodas, and refined sugars will help increase milk supply too. Other nursing moms say that feeding every hour or 2 for the first month helps increase the supply (more demand causes more supply). I don't know for sure and everyone's body is different, so that's a thought. We had to formula feed, so I don't know personally.

If the calorie control is a weight issue, another thought is possibly going to a WeightWatchers meeting. They have special help for nursing moms and lots of Mommy and Me meetings. By combining what you have learned from the nutritionist and other specialists with the WeightWatchers plan, you should be able to get to what you feel is more "normal-sized" quicker.

Good luck to you!
A.

If you are eating the right foods calories shouldn't matter. If you eat a low-glycemic diet you don't need to "count calories" and this will help control your diabetes. I have seen people on insulin be able to control it so they no longer had to use it.

There is a great program out there called the Transitions Lifestyle. It is a program put together by Dr. Shari Lieberman and colleagues to help people maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar and lower cholesterol.

Also - make sure you are taking supplements. You need at least a good multi-vitamin, a B-complex that has folic acid in it if you are breast feeding, calcium and maybe an antioxidant. I use Isotonix Brand. I have had great results. It is not a tablet - it's a powder you dissolve in water. It makes it so that you get a lot better aborption from your vitamin. If you're interested I have a friend that lives near you who sells Isotonix. I could give you their contact information.

Hi,

I normally eat about that and never had a problem with breastfeeding unless I did not drink at least 64 oz. of water. I also needed to rest in the afternoon in order to produce milk for the evening feeding.

A diet that focuses on fresh vegetables and lean proteins, whole grains, and good fats such as olive oil, oily fish, seeds, and nuts should help you feel very satisfied. When I added a handful of seeds and nuts to my diet and cut out the processed grains such as bread and pasta, I found myself eating more calories and still losing the pregnancy weight.

Good luck,

Ana M.

Hello,
I am a first time mom of a 3 month old daughter. I don't have any experience with GD but I know your body produces what you need for the baby. Because bfeeding is so time consuming in the beginning, I found it hard to even be able to eat! My baby did just fine and my milk production was fine. I think when they say diet I think they mean extreme dieting. As long as you're getting the right amount of calories and drinking lots of water, you'll be fine. You probably be so busy with the baby that you won't even realize you're eating less! Congrats and good luck!

I also follow the diabetic guidelines for my nutritional needs (ditch the word diet!) and have had no problems with my milk supply. I am not diabetic, nor did i have GD, but chose to eat healthier before i got pregnant so that I could have a super healthy pregnancy.

As far as I know, as long as your fluid intake is ample, you should be able to produce enough milk. I am two weeks post-partem and have had almost no appetite, but i am dying of thirst all the time! When i pump, i have been producing about 2 oz from each breast--4oz total...which i think is pretty good for a 2 week old baby! I snack on and off all day on things like fruit, nuts, dried fruit, slices of whole grain bread with nut spread, juiced veggies & fruits (apple, carrot,& ginger is my favorite)and have a nice green salad for lunch. I would guess that my caloric intake is hovering right around 1800-1900?

(i am 5'3" and was 180 lbs before i got pregnant...i gained 25 lbs using the diabetic nutritional guidelines and weighed 185 after giving birth and now am down to 170--my baby was 8lbs 6oz at birth and is now 9lbs 5 oz...so obviously she is getting enough milk! But we are feeding on demand which sometimes is NON-STOP for a whole day when she is increasing my supply)

Keep in touch with your lactation consultant (put her on speed dail!) and your nutritionist and join a La Leche League in your area if there is one...and let your baby nurse as much as s/he wants to so that your body will know to make enough milk.

Good luck!

Hi S.,
Like you, I also had gestational diabetes that I controlled with a pretty strict diet (and no insulin). In addition to the diet the gave me I also had to stay away from grains, rice, potatoes, etc. I was testing my blood sugar 7 times a day and was able to keep it in check. My Dr. didn't really focus on the calorie amount but told me to eat until satisfied but not overeat.
After I gave birth to my daughter I went off the diet only because I was sick to death of all the restrictions. A month or so later I went back to it to help me get rid of some of the weight. I still continue a modified form of the diet to this day and weigh less that I did before I got prego.
I feel lucky because breastfeeding came naturally and I never had a problem with my milk supply. In the beginning I breastfed often, stayed well rested and hydrated.
Don't stress yourself out about it too much. Your body is made to do this!
I am still breastfeeding my daughter and everythings great!
Good luck!

Have you looked into weight watchers? They have a points system for nursing mothers. I don't know if you've ever tried the program but I love it. It's worked for me in the past, and I'm gonna start it again after my 2nd is born which is in roughly 6 weeks. (I'm due on May 10th) I also plan to breastfeed with this one, which I did not do with my daughter. She was a very lazy little newborn and did not want to latch on b/c it seemed like too much work! :) But it is a great program. It allows you to eat whatever you want as long as you eat it within reason. You're never deprived so there is less of a chance to binge on something. Good luck with everything and let me know if you have any questions!

I was told by my OBGYN that the only safe diet while breastfeeding was Weight Watchers. So that is what I went on, following the birth of my son. I breastfed through out and did not have any problems with my milk production at all. Some resources indicate that the child might be turned off by the taste of your milk if you are working out a lot, but I did not find that to be an issue either. I had a pretty heavy sweat session 5 days a week starting only a couple of months after giving birth. I think, as long as you get the approval from your doc, starting a diet and exercise routine following your babies birth can only be a good thing. Best of luck to you! :)

I do not have diabetes, but I can empathize with you.

I come from a family of naturally thin people, but unfortunately did not get that gene. My natural body -not pregnant or breastfeeding- requires about 1,500 calories in order to maintain my healthy weight. Anything more than that, and I can put on pounds very quickly.

I am pregnant with baby #3 and have breastfed both of my daughters for a combined time of 27 months. While pregnant, I increase my caloric intake 300 calories like recommended, so I am eating 1,800 calories per day. While I breastfeed, I eat between 1,800 and 2,000 calories a day depending on my appetite. My pregnancies have been very healthy, and my milk supply has been abundant with both of my children; as long as they demanded, my body supplied.

Have you spoken to your doctor about your post-pregnancy/ breastfeeding diet? I wonder if they will increase your caloric intake to 2,000 calories. While you are pregnant it is recommended you increase your intake by 300 calories, and while breastfeeding 500 calories.

It is most important with a lower calorie diet, that the majority of -if not all of the calories you consume come from healthy food sources. Avoid empty calories like candy and soda. Not only will it positively effect your/ you baby's health, it will make you crave those sweets even less. Your body starts to crave an apple vs. a bag of gummi bears.

For your future concerns about developing GD in a second pregnancy, I would say you are absolutely on the right track already. Being aware is the first step. You have taken action by changing your diet, which is the second step. As long as you keep up your good work, and continue with a healthy diet post-pregnancy, I would think everything will be okay.

Keep in mind that even woman who are not over weight can develop GD. If you are following your regimine, and develop GD in your next pregnancy, do not blame yourself. Some woman are more suseptable to developing it during pregnancy.

Good luck and congratulations on your soon-to-be motherhood!

Hi S., I am a RN and an IBCLC-lactation consultant. I would be more than happy to speak to you off line. Please call me at ###-###-#### or ____@____.com.
I can give you some tips.
Looking forward, C.

First of all it is "an old husbands tale" that your milk can dry up. If you are living in a western culture and have a decent diet your mild wont "dry up" People are impatient with their babies and some babies nurse longer than others. ou have pregnancy related diabetes if it was diagnosed as such and yeah it should go away after you give birth. Keep away from all refined sugar and dont drinl too much juice. Get in touch with a breast feeding support group in your area or LaLeche League and they will help you. You child will be healther for it.

An 1800 calorie diet will NOT make your milk dry up. You need to consume an extra 500 calories to breastfeed. However, if you do not, its like you eating a 1300 calorie diet. You'll lose faster, but let me tell you that your baby will get all the nutrients first. So if you arent getting enough calcium, for instance, the baby will draw from your stores, so now you will be lacking. Make sure to take a GOOD muti-vitamin...preferably one that comes from whole foods instead of synthetic vitamins, which doesnt absorb well. You'll do just fine nursing. Make sure your calories are used wisely, eating nutrient rich foods. Dont waste them on soda, juice, or other empty calories. Drink plenty of water...you WILL make enough milk and your baby will thrive! Good luck!

As long as you are getting plenty of water every day your milk will not dry up. Breastfeeding is a great way to lose weight after birth especially when combined with a daily long walk. Remember women in Africa who live the Kahlahari region subsist on many fewer calories than we do and they nurse their babies into toddler-hood.

I had GD as well and increased my calories once my son was born to 2500 per day at least. you need to eat very healthy while you are nursing. You can continue to use the "diet" if you like but you dont have to follow it to a "T" like you do now. The GD has nothing to do with your diet, it just happens. I never ever ate sweets in my life and had GD so bad I was on 6 insulin shots a day and a very very strict diet. Now I just eat what I want, the weight will come off when nursing, dont worry about that. I still have weight to lose and my son is 9 months, takes a year to drop your weight i hear. First and foremost, DONT STRESS over it! Just relax and welcome that little baby into your life and shower your child with LOVE!! Good luck!

its wonderful that you are able to control it with diet. take this time to really start a healthy lifestyle that will help you and your baby, and maybe help avoid health problems in your later life. as much as you are worried about how much to eat, make sure every one of those 1800 calories are healthy ones. eat lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, ect. your body will make the milk(think about people in ethipia with no food, they still bf). but i will say you need to drink LOTS of water, that is a must. also, if you are commited to breastfeeding, make sure to feed your baby! that is what will affect your milk. feed the baby on demand or every time you feel your breasts full in those first weeks. dont use pacifiers, and dont pump or use a bottle for awhile. i have to warn you, its a lot of work, and there may be a time in the first weeks where the baby may sleep past their feeding. you will be tired and want to enjoy the extra free time. but if you are concerned about your milk, make sure you wake them up and feed them. until your body is established with bfing, dont let yourself find ways of delaying or skipping a feeding. the only way your body will make enough, is if you are feeding the baby. you will be fine!!!
my daughter ate once in the first 24 hours, then the next 24 hours she would cry unless she was sucking on me(for the whole 24 hours). my husband was home with our toddler, and i was afraid i would drop her off the bed so i was up the entire night. i was so sore i wondered if i would be able to keep it up. and now, even though its alot of work, i cant imagine not nursing. you will do great.

I too was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and was put on a special diet also...but as soon as I had my daughter, I was allowed to eat anything I wanted, so I never had to worry about my supply. Just make sure that you keep having your sugar checked, as gestational diabetes can mean that you will develop type II diabetes in the future.

i too had gd (from stress) and empathize, it's not easy to be pregnant and not eat whatever you want like they do on tv!!

i wasn't on a restricted diet after my daughter was born, but i didn't eat a lot because i was a single mom and it was so hard to take care of a baby and myself. yes the weight came off but i know i should have done better nutritionally because i was nursing but at the time i was just trying to get through the day. i never had a problem with breastfeeding and or with my milk supply being low (i attribute that to never pumping or supplementing with a bottle). i do believe the most important thing is eating lots of good food (and continuing with vitamins). believe me, you haven't experienced hunger like you do when you are nursing so if you're trying to restrict calories, make what you do eat count (like whole grains and lowfat dairy products--making sure you get enough calcium and iron is essential when nursing). the only two ways fat cells are removed from our bodies is from lyposuction and nursing so you can definitely take advantage of breastfeeding to lose wight, just make sure you're eating healthy-for you and the babe!!!

S.,

I also had GD. I was on a special diet, but not low calorie and eventually had to take insulin. I'm sure you know that breastfeeding increases your metabolism and burns an extra 500 to 600 calories a day. While I'm no dietician or doctor, it seems to me that you add some calories to your 1800 calorie diet and still lose weight post partum. I lost my pregnancy weight quickly and I think it's because of breastfeeding. My GD went away post partum.

Now, here's some very important info about GD and breastfeeding. Wish I'd known this before. I had a delay in my milk coming in and had to work with a lactation consultant. She told me that very recent research shows that GD can cause a milk delay and there's a very new recommendation that women with GD begin pumping at 37 weeks. Because of the delay, my baby lost weight and we did a lot of work to get the supply up. So, you may want to check with your medical team and even reach out to a lactation consultant now.