Come in if you've dieted/exercised to lose weight while breastfeeding...

almostjones

Please share your experience - specifically as it relates to your milk supply.  Was it affected? 

I keep reading that exercising won't affect milk supply but I'm so hesitant!  We are already having to supplement and I'm scared of my supply decreasing even more.  I'm 5 months in and my first nursing goal is 6 months but I'm planning to go longer if my supply will let me & DD is still going strong.

And by diet, I really mean not shove whatever the hell I want (x10!) in my mouth with the glorious excuse of "but I'm breastfeeding!  I need the calories!"  Haha

Thanks in advance for sharing!

charlotteL

I did weight watchers while I was BF my first.  I got something like 35 points a day.  If you have done WW before you know that is a ton of food.  I actually ate more because I was working out everyday too.  Supply was fine.  I BF until he was 12 months. 

cori514

almostjones:

Please share your experience - specifically as it relates to your milk supply.  Was it affected? 

I keep reading that exercising won't affect milk supply but I'm so hesitant!  We are already having to supplement and I'm scared of my supply decreasing even more.  I'm 5 months in and my first nursing goal is 6 months but I'm planning to go longer if my supply will let me & DD is still going strong.

And by diet, I really mean not shove whatever the hell I want (x10!) in my mouth with the glorious excuse of "but I'm breastfeeding!  I need the calories!"  Haha

Thanks in advance for sharing!

I am in the same boat! On the days that I workout, I pump between 2-3oz each time and on the days that I don't workout I get between 3-4oz. Now, I know that is not a huge difference, but when you already have a low supply, 1oz means alot! I am torn because I love to run and I am signed up for 2 half marathons, but I dont want to dry up completely! My goal was to breastfeed for 4 months and now that we are almost there, I would like to try and make it to 6.

kat.in.the.hat

I'm on WW and get 43 (!!!!) points a day (but I'm pretty overweight too.)

I don't pump, but haven't noticed a decrease in my supply at all.  Eliza doesn't act any differently on days I run than when I don't, so I don't think it bothers her.

The only thing is that I try to drink about twice as much water on days that I run versus days that I don't.  I really think that would be your biggest threat to losing your supply, dehydration.

 

almostjones

Thanks everyone!

It's so weird...I consistently pump 11-12 oz throughout the course of a work day (3 sessions) but she takes 20-22 oz during the day...so that's when we supplement.  However, when I'm at home on weekends, I rarely feel the need to supplement unless DH is just wanting to give her a bottle and we don't have any BM in the freezer.

Anyway...I guess I need to get on the exercise wagon then!! 

Kat - thanks for the water reminder!  It really does make a difference and working out will definitely mean I'll need more.

erica_kaspar

It was a big fail for me But I also EP and as I sure you know the pump isn't as effective as a little one.

I still workout but I don't diet working out didn't effect me at all probably because I just stuffed my face afterwards. 

So instead I stuff my face with cookies and keep the fat on. HAHA!

 

kat.in.the.hat

almostjones:

Thanks everyone!

It's so weird...I consistently pump 11-12 oz throughout the course of a work day (3 sessions) but she takes 20-22 oz during the day...so that's when we supplement.  However, when I'm at home on weekends, I rarely feel the need to supplement unless DH is just wanting to give her a bottle and we don't have any BM in the freezer.

Anyway...I guess I need to get on the exercise wagon then!! 

Kat - thanks for the water reminder!  It really does make a difference and working out will definitely mean I'll need more.

Definitely a case of the baby being more effective than the pump!  I would stay away from dieting (unless you do WW) while BFing because I would think that would have a much greater affect on your pumping than just working out would.

cali_girl92504

I didn't diet (but I'm not a dieter in general because I have no will power) but I did work out for a few months when she was 4-6 months old. I never experienced a drop in my supply or anything. I've read that right after working out your milk may taste funny to them but it never seemed to bother DD much.

I was told by the lady who fitted my for a nursing bra at a Woman's Work to not keep the sports bra on for too long as it may affect your production. I wore two sports bras (the girls were big) and again, no drop in production. 

Just make sure to drink lots and lots of water.