Weight Loss Ideas for a Breastfeeding Mom

Updated on September 07, 2006
C.H. asks from Riverton, UT
10 answers

I am breastfeeding my 6 month old. She is exclusively breastfeed (no formula) and I plan to continue until she is at least 1 year old. Problem is, I cannot lose weight no matter how hard I try - breastfeeding has not helped. I eat healthy, and try not to splurge. I also exercise as much as possible, but between my family, household responsibilities, and my job I don't have time to exercise every day. In fact, I usually go after my kids are in bed, and most days I'm ready to sleep myself by then. And I pump on my lunch break at work, so going to the gym then isn't even an option.

Anyway - I need some ideas on how to lose. TIA!

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

Christie,

Weight Watchers has a program for breastfeeding moms. It worked well for me. But keep in mind that some women can't lose weight without compromising their milk supply so you may have to choose between losing weight and breastfeeding. I didn't start WW until my son was over a year old (I bf him to 23 months) so I wasn't so concerned about losing my milk supply. They are tiny for such a short amount of time. It was worth it to me to be "chunky". LOL

1 mom found this helpful

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P.P.

answers from Las Vegas on

I'm no pro when it comes to giving advice about losing weight, however, I can refer you to a pro. Dr. Michael Norwood is a friend of mine that just opened a personal training studio. Maybe you can go and get a consultation from him and he can give you some pointers on where to start or at least tell you what you're doing wrong and where you can make some changes. He's not like regular medical doctors, he has his PhD in Performance Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology and Exercise Physiology. Nevermind the big title, because he's really just Mike and he's really, really laid back and cool (yet still professional & respectful). Give him a call and/or visit his website (www.lasvegaspersonaltraining.com) and tell him P. sent you.

Hope this helped. Good Luck on accomplishing your goals!

P.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.

answers from Anchorage on

Can't sing the praises of weight watchers enough. Their nursing program works!

2 moms found this helpful
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P.

answers from Boise on

Relax!! Enjoy your new baby. Deal with the few extra pounds for a while. Don't wear yourself out, it's not worth it. Life is too short and your baby will grow up much too fast. Truly, enjoy it while it lasts, in a blink they're all grown up. If you're tired, then go to sleep, not the gym. If you are watching what you eat, not splurging as you said, then it will come off. Give it time. Meanwhile, enjoy your new life. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

I don't have any answers, but find that I don't loose my baby fat until I am finished nursing. I think my body remains in a "pregnant" state until I am completely finished. Sorry, good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

You will hear it over and over as a mom, everyone is different. I nursed my little girl until she was 12 months, and I couldn't loose weight until about 9 months. Then all of a sudden I dropped 15 pounds almost overnight. Sometimes your body just holds onto the weight to keep your milk. I have had friends that tried to loose the weight and in the process lost their milk. So I decided that nursing my little girl was more important than looking good in a pair of jeans. It was only when she started eating more solid food that breastmilk that I lost the weight. Just realize that your body is different than any other woman and it may take more time to loose the weight. In the meantime just enjoy that time with your baby. =)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.

answers from Billings on

try sparkpeople.com it's free and I've lost 16 pounds over the last 2 months just using their free tools. If it's not a medical or hormonal problem this will work!!
Goodluck!!!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

1 mom found this helpful
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A.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi C.,
First kudos to you for still breastfeeding!!! I nursed my last baby for 18 months and hope to do the same with this one. From what I have heard, many people keep an extra 10-15 lbs while nursing. This is to keep your body supplied with the nutrients you need to sustain lactation. I think it all depends on someones body, maybe no matter how much you exercise, eat, etc. you will keep on those extra lbs. Just remind yourself that you are doing for the health of your sweet baby! ALso think about the type of exercise you are doing, mostly cardiovascular (kickboxing, step, running, etc) will help with weight loss. Any thing that has to do with weight-lifting will actually just build muscle reather than burn fat. That is another point, you are probably getting some strong biceps from holding your baby and muscle weights more than fat so that could be some of the extra weight, as well as the weight of bigger breasts. The types of food you eat will also make a difference. Of course fruit and veggies and some protein (don't forget calcium) are the best things. Try to avoid fried, processed, and high sugar foods. You probably already know this but your baby needs you to eat enough calories so that she (?) can get what she needs. This isn't a time to diet!
Anyway, I hope this is helpful. I apologize if you already knew all of this! Best of luck! -A.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.N.

answers from Portland on

You might want to head for an endocrinologist and get your thyroid checked. You could be suffering from a thyroid condition that happens after birth and usually levels off about the 9th month, but might be worth checking in to.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi
I lost my baby weight from both my kids during breastfeeding through Weight Watchers they have a program for breast feeding mom's it's their basic points system but you get to add I think it's 10 points if you are breastfeeding. It takes some work but it you are committed it really works. and I was never hungry that's for sure. good luck
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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