Exercising and breastfeeding/pumping

cherylnicole

soo I go see my doc next week and hopefully he gives me the okay to go back to my normal running routine..question though-does it affect your supply if you begin working out?  How much exercise is okay before the supply drops?  I'm afraid of going back to my old routine and it affecting my supply!  I normally ran 4 miles 6 days a week before getting pregnant..

 

ncbelle

I never had any problems.  BUT if you didn't work out at all while pregnant, you've got to take it slow - both because you are out of the habit and because too much too soon can easily hurt your supply.

I ran through about 31 weeks and walked a ton and used the elliptical until I delivered.   I started walking pretty much right away, elliptical very slowly around 3 weeks (you should back off if your bleeding increases after exercise), and ran around 6 weeks - but I slowly built my mileage back up.

Make sure to take it easy, listen to your body, eat plenty, and drink a ton of water - you should be fine.

cherylnicole

Thanks so much-I can't wait to start running again!

PlainandTall

I sure hope it goes well for you!  What a treat it will be if you can get back to your old routine!

I think different women respond in different ways- so you will just have to be alert to how you feel and how it affects your supply. 

StephE623

Just make sure that you are taking in lots of fluids and your supply should be ok.

ella.mabel

I read somewhere that heavy exercise can introduce lactic acid into your milk giving it a funny taste.  I don't know if it's true or not, but something to keep in mind if your LO seems "turned off" by your milk after running.