A.M. asks from Overland Park, KS on September 27, 2008
Needing to Gain Weight
Hey Ladies,
I am needing a little help to see if anyone else has had this problem. Throughout my pregnancy I only gained 11 lbs. due to a stomach condition I have. We had our little girl last week and she came out healthy and happy as a lark. My only problem now is with getting into the routine of being mommy, I forget to eat while trying to care for her and sleep at the same time. I came home at my normal weight, but then dropped about 6 lbs in one week. I have meds to take when I eat for the stomach issue, but I need to know what are good ways to gain weight? Like quick ideas. I would appreciate any help. I have talked to dieticians too and they did not help. They just shoved protein drinks in my face and I would get sick, everytime. Again, any help is appreciated at this time.
Thanks - A
So What Happened?™
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I have some ideas now and this does not seem as overwhelming as what I thought initially. I had my mom go and get me a lot of celery and carrots, and from my nesting I have enough frozen foods/meals to last a while :) I can not wait to have my weight back. haha!
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C.B. answers from Kansas City on September 27, 2008
i would normally be the last one to say "take a pill", BUT i had a similar problem when i was first at home with my son - not that i worried about gaining weight mind you, but i was so stressed out about taking care of my son, every time he cried or i thought about eating, i got nauseus. not exactly the same, but after a few days of eating NOTHING, i call the dr. and she did give me a scrip (she called it into the pharmacy so i didn't have to go to her office) to bring my appetite back. worth a shot?? good luck and congrats!
2 moms found this helpful
L.C. answers from Kansas City on September 28, 2008
What about scheduling a time for you to eat something healthy yes, but also maybe high in the protein or carbs, since we schedule everything else, this could be one way for you to make it important in the day and not forget.
Also when you pack the diaper bag for an outing or errands, the same way you would pack snack in there for the kids, get some snack bars or something for you and put it in the bag as well, right next to her milk.
I haven't had this problem, mine runds more along the opposite, but these are tirck I hope would help on both sides, it just depends on what you put in there. I hope it helps.
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B.S. answers from Kansas City on September 27, 2008
I had the same thing! I came home at my pre-pregnancy weight and then lost 15 on top of it. I had bloodwork done and everything came back fine so they weren't too worried. I was on the smaller side then 114lbs and I'm 5'8". Too bad that didn't happen after my second. Haha! Just make sure you're getting protein (even if it's a microwaved hotdog) so you can keep up your energy to take care of the little one. You'll get the hang of it and unfortunately, you're appetite will come back! ;) (I technically gained 15 my first pregancy- lost 15 then gained it back (so now at my original pre-preg weight) and then 15 more and they weren't worried!)
2 moms found this helpful
C.B. answers from Kansas City on September 27, 2008
i would normally be the last one to say "take a pill", BUT i had a similar problem when i was first at home with my son - not that i worried about gaining weight mind you, but i was so stressed out about taking care of my son, every time he cried or i thought about eating, i got nauseus. not exactly the same, but after a few days of eating NOTHING, i call the dr. and she did give me a scrip (she called it into the pharmacy so i didn't have to go to her office) to bring my appetite back. worth a shot?? good luck and congrats!
2 moms found this helpful
S.B. answers from Kansas City on September 28, 2008
You might try Carnation Instant Breakfast. I don't know that it will fatten you up, but it will provide nutrition. It comes in many different flavors. It's quick and easy to make. Before my elderly mother passed, she basically stopped eating all solid foods. I swear the CIB kept her alive for at least 6 months. It was the only form of nutrition I could get in her other than ice cream. (And I occasionally put it in her icecream, also). Another little trick I learned was to keep a few boiled eggs in the fridge. Eggs are a great source of protein. Again, I don't know that it will fatten you up, but it will provide you with nutrition and the energy to keep going. Boiled eggs also travel well and they're not too difficult or messy to eat while traveling (of course it helps if you peel the egg before you leave). Finally, V-8 Fusion. Being a new Mom, I just didn't have time to always prepare the healthy meals I should have. One 8 ounce glass of V-8 Fusion contains a full serving of fruit and a full serving of vegetables. It tastes great (I love fruit) and again, it provides nutrition.
Hope you find some of these ideas helpful.
2 moms found this helpful
A.H. answers from St. Joseph on September 27, 2008
It's actually normal to drop some weight after coming home from the hospital (at least in my experience), but I agree that 6 lbs. in a week is too much, too fast, especially since you didn't gain much in the first place.
You might try eating whenever you feed your daughter--just a little "snack-sized" meal at each feeding, like a handful of nuts, a few cheese cubes, those little 100-calorie snack packs, or whatever. This way, your blood sugar is more stable, which means you're less likely to feel nauseated after eating, and you're getting more calories throughout the day. It's easier to remember to feed yourself if you connect that idea to feeding your daughter, too.
If you can't do that for some reason, or still forget, try putting out bowls of snacks within sight and easy reach, and grab one as you're walking by.
If you're already drinking plenty of water, replace a few glasses with whole milk and fruit or vegetable juice during the day (if you aren't getting enough to drink, then sip something with your snacks).
Are you still taking your vitamins? If you can keep them down (try taking them before bed or with a meal), it is a good idea so that you are at least getting the vitamins and minerals you need.
Carbohydrates are good for gaining weight, but be careful that you don't sacrifice nutrition for calories, or you could end up replacing one problem with a whole 'nother set of problems. ;-)
If you can get someone to help you with the baby sometimes (a mom, sister, friend...), then you can take a little time to cook something that's appealing to you. If friends are willing to bring a meal to share when they come to see the baby ("Hey, could you grab a pizza on your way over and we can split the cost?"), then you might be more likely to eat.
Above all, sleep when she sleeps if at all possible. It's hard to remember to eat--or do anything--if you're completely exhausted! The housework can wait. ;-)
Good luck and congrats on the new addition to the family!
--A.
2 moms found this helpful
B.M. answers from Wichita on September 28, 2008
One way you might try getting some extra calories, is to add carnation instant breakfast to your milk everyday... it has extra vitamins for you and tastes good too!
Hope this helps! Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
S.D. answers from Topeka on September 27, 2008
Needing to gain weight well for me being pregnant my 3rd time I haven't gain much so for me I plan to bulk up on Avocado's they are high in the good fat you can make a quick and easy dip or wash them and slice them shake a lil salt and enjoy.I was told to eat alot of protein as well from peanutbutter eggs meat etc but that makes me sick so I tried chocolate milk and it works to get my dairy in to.
1 mom found this helpful
C.M. answers from Kansas City on September 28, 2008
If your are tring to put on weight, protein is not going to do it for you. The body uses what protein it needs and then gets rid of the rest. That is one reason why the protein diets are so popular to LOOSE weight. What you need is more fats and carbs. That doesn't mean you should eat junk food but there are simple things that you can do to add fats and carbs to all the things you normally eat. Drink whole milk instead of skim! Add butter to veggies. Put cream cheese on a bagel (fast and yummy). Eat lots of pasta. You didn't say what stomach issues you have. Depending on the problem, some ideas might not be a good thing for you. Ask the doctor that has treated your stomach condition what they think. Most importantly, EAT!!!! DO NOT skip meals! I know that it is so easy to forget about yourself when you are taking care of a newborn but for you and the baby, you HAVE TO take care of yourself first. Put yourself on a schedule and set an alarm clock for meal times if you have to go that far. Stock your frig with things that you can warm up quick and easy so you don't have to take a lot of time to cook each meal. I found a new respect for leftovers with my first one. It will get easier as the baby gets bigger to just eat when she does but in the mean time, make yourself eat at least three meals a day. If it is easier, eat something small when she eats and then have a bigger meal with your hubby every night. Do whatever works. If you are nursing, there is a good chance that it will be harder to keep weight on in general even without any extra problems.
C.G. answers from Columbia on September 28, 2008
Although Im not sure it would make you put on weight, extra-virgin olive oil with whole grain bread for dipping is a great source of the healthy fat that most people don't get enough of. Avocado's are also a great source of the healthy fat. You can slice them on salads or make quacamole with them (you can leave out the spicy ingredients if you are breast feeding).
I eat olive oil all the time and have not noticed a weight gain from it, but it is an essential fat that your body needs anyway and it couldn't hurt in your situation.
Best wishes!
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