Weight Gain After Breastfeeding?

Lord I hope you gain some weight back! You're essentially my size pre-baby. I just lost 12 pounds after a tonsillectomy and got down to 116. I looked like death warmed over! So you're at what, like 107?? I honestly cannot believe you are still producing any milk. Or at least any milk with any fat in it. You're baby is gaining weight and everything? After my 3rd, I lost all the weight very quickly, but I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem when she was about 6 months old. She had gone from a chubby 50th percentile baby to a scrawney 3rd percentile baby from her 4 to 6 month well visit. I had been exclusively BFing until then, but right away I started her on some solids and changed my diet entirely. I added in a TON of good fats, started doing protein shakes every day, and found recipes to increase fat in my milk. Worked like a charm. Of course, I also gained about 5 pounds back.
Here's my point: I've breastfed 3 kids successfully for over a year each. And I have NEVER lost the kind of weight you are talking about (nor have I known any of my friends to experience this). In fact, I usually hold on to a few pounds of the post baby weight and then drop it as soon as I have weaned. If you are eating correctly, I don't see how losing 45 pounds is possible. Now, I know every "body" is different, but it sounds like you are not doing this very heathily and it could have devastating effects on your body long term (ie, bone loss, hormone regulation). Oh yeah, forgot to mention I'm a registered nurse and a fitness instructor.
My guess is that, yes, once you wean your baby you will definitely put weight back on...and that is a GOOD thing!

You burn about 600 calories daily while breastfeeding. I dropped all of my baby weight plus some while nursing but gained back those additional pounds I lost after I stopped nursing and have seen others gain weight as well. I worked out before during and after my pregnancies so I personally believe incorporating a fitness regimine is a must in maintaining you weight.

For my last child, my appetite dropped the day I weaned him. If you've lost that much weight, you aren't eating enough calories to make the milk, hence your body is using your own fat to make the milk. So, I don't think you'll gain weight once you wean him. You won't eat as much, so you'll probably just stay where you are. It sounds like you're on the border of being underweight anyway, so I wouldn't worry.

You will need to eat healthy and exercise just like anyone else. If you were prone to gaining weight previously, then you will want to watch it - particularly if you ate more than usual while BFing. I felt that was the hardest thing, I ate a lot (and not the greatest) while BFing, and its hard to cut back on that "habit" after you have stopped. From the amount you lost while BFing, I'm thinking you didn't eat a lot, or it was extremely healthy.

I did the same with both my kiddos, serious weight drop while BF. With #1 I didn't gain any of it back, with #2 I gained about 10 back. But for your health, good food choices and actvity should help keep weight in check. I love the post that you'll be busy chasing toddler - so true!
Congrats.

I didn't gain a single pound after 18 months of breastfeeding. I think it just depends on your body. After breastfeeding you are busy chasing around a toddler which is a great calorie burner! Don't sweat it, enjoy your baby and be healthy!

It sounds more like your metabolism is over acting. When I weened my son I only gained about 5 lbs. I am over weight and working to get it off. If you eat sensibly it should be okay.

I didn't read all your responses, but I'll give you my experience. First of all, WOW to losing that much weight! I lost all my pregnancy weight, plus about 5 pounds breastfeeding my boys. I BF them both a year. I am similar build to you (5'7" and 135lbs). With both my boys I gained the 5 lbs back slowly after weaning. So starting to watch your food intake and maybe some exercise would probably be a good habit to begin now.

Keep a careful eye on your thryoid. I had a similar exp. after weaning my daughter. I only breastfed for 3 mo. but I lost the 30 lbs I'd gained plus an additional 10. At the time I was delighted but 2 monthes later I'd gained 15 lbs and had a pretty serious case of mommy blues. I battled for 6 weeks and finally my husband urged me to go to the doctor because he thought I was suffering from depresion. The first thing my doc. said was let's test your thyroid and I had Hypothryoidism. Sometimes it's temporary from the hormone swings from childbirth and breastfeeding but in my case it was perm. and I've been on meds ever since. I check it twice a year and I'm fine. I know... a lot of info. but if you exp. any of the above I'd check your thyroid.
Take Care!
C.

It's been a year since I weaned the 6th child I have breastfed. And I have not gained weight. You will have to cut back on your intake to mantain your weight. I have been working out regularly at the gym since my last baby was 6 months old. You don't spend that many calories in a workout. If I do the elliptical for 30 minutes I only burn like 380 calories. I do lift weights too. I am 5'3 120-125lbs. You'll probably have to cut about 500 calories. If you increase your current activity, then probably less. I was hungry the first 2 weeks but then I was fine. I always monitor my weight to make sure I don't go over the 125lbs mark. When I get to 125 I make sure to have lighter dinners and cut back on my snacking which is where my weight gain probably comes from... (too many cookies! :-)) Congrats on your breastfeeding and weight loss!!! Best wishes and God bless!

I lost all my pregnancy weight when breastfeeding and then gained about 10 lbs right after I weaned - still cannot shed them.
I was really conscious of what I ate when pregnant and nursing and got sucked back into my bad junk food habits afterward - that plus lack of exercise...
If you keep up healthy food habits and maybe incorporate some exercise you will probably be fine.
Good luck!

I lost all my baby weight and then some while I was BF. After I stopped I did gain some weight back. I wish I could go back now and start working out or something. Good luck.

As you can see, breastfeeding is the fastest and best way to lose weight after pregnancy. But, after you wean, your body will not need as much calories and your metabolism will slightly change. The best way to maintain your weight (if you're happy where you are right now), is to start pumping iron! It takes more calories to maintain muscle mass than fat, so you can keep your metabolism up by gaining more muscle. You may see a tip in the scales about 5 lbs or so, but it will be muscle, not fat. Your clothes will still fit right. I go to Slo-fit in Plano. They are great and I feel strong, my bones are stronger than when I was 18 and I have so much energy. http://www.slo-fit.com/

yes, you will need to start watching what you eat and probably exercising. Once baby starts to eat solids and is not eating as much from you, I would start the exercising. Good luck.

i lost considerable weight after birth of my daughter and some more during breast feeding. I gained just a couple of pounds after i stopped. my advice u dont need to do heavy workout, have regular walks and eat moderately, it helps...:)