BF and eating enough

Josh-loves-Lolo · August 2009

I just got back from my last birthing/breast feeding class, and am in shock a little. I knew you had to eat a good variety of nutritious foods to keep your milk supply up, but didn't know exactly how much you had to eat.

My BF'ing lady told us we should be eating

Breakfast #1 the first time we get up in the morning to feed, say around 5am, - something like cereal

Breakfast #2 a few hours later - something like whole wheat toast

Snack

Lunch

Snack

Dinner

And then eat a banana or something right before we go to bed.

For someone who has always struggled with her weight and watching what she eats, I'm terrified that I'm not going to eat enough or find it really difficult to retrain my brain into eating several times more a day.

My question is this - do you all eat this often? And if you have struggled with your weight in the past, has it been easy to get your head round eating this much?!

iteachk · August 2009

I am always hungry and eat all the time. I haven't ever had weight issues, but I weigh less now than I did before I was pg.

toni1127 · August 2009

I still eat like I'm pregnant, but not as often as that everyday. I eat three meals and one sometimes two very small snacks.

madhatter2003 · August 2009

Yes, you will eat like this. You will be more hungry than you can imagine while BFing, at least for me. I find myself grazing all day.

I've lost the weight both kids.

mollymurphy · August 2009

You only need 500 extra calories. That's equivalent to a couple of slices of bread and maybe a banana. That's not a lot. I haven't changed anything about my eating habits and my supply's been fine so far (knock on wood.) I eat healthfully but am not deliberately trying to lose weight or restricting calories. The weight's coming off (I was w/i a pound or two of pre-pg weight by 8 wks.)?

?FWIW, I didn't take a BF-ing class and one of the reasons why was so that I wasn't being freaked out by someone telling me how haaaard it was going to be. I read a couple of books and had an LC check LO's latch and give us a couple of pointers on positioning when we were first home from the hospital. I guess this is my mini-vent: it just seems to me that the message that gets across far too often to moms-to-be is that breastfeeding is this impossible journey paved with all sorts of obstacles. I'm afraid it undermines our confidence in our bodies. Yes, it's difficult in the beginning and there's a learning curve, but you can do it. Take advantage of lactation consultants if you have access, ask questions, but don't worry...you'll be fine.?

TheMRS0127 · August 2009

I don't eat that much and I don't have a problem with my supply - I heard that you are supposed to eat like 5-8servings of fruits and veggies, I love them, but I don't know if I could eat that much each day

worleygirl · August 2009

I don't eat even close to that much. I have lost 42 of 44 gained. My supply is pretty good. I had to force myself to eat the first 2 weeks PP, then I was starving all the time for about 2 months, now I'm too busy to eat a whole lot b/c I work full time. Don't stress about it, your body will guide you.

wifeypooh · August 2009

I eat all the time. I notice when I don't, I get dizzy during the day.

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