BFing help, please!

EmmieB · September 2010

I'm going to see a nutrionist (have to see my GP and get the referral, but while I'm waiting, I'm asking here.)

I ebf. Occasionally I pump, but it's rare that does more than provide bunny with something to play with. I do not have supply issues. What I have, instead, is a lack of calories for me. I eat almost constantly - a range of healthful, well-rounded meals and snacks and a lot of crap (halloween candy at costco....evil morsels of tastiness.)

I am down at least 8 pounds from my pre-pg weight. Even if I feel full because i just ate the exact same amount of food as my husband who has a crazy metabolism and cycles 16 miles a day...after one nursing session i feel my blood sugar crash.

So the crazy highs and lows are affecting my moods - it did before I was nursing, but now it takes more than a little snack to get me back to normal and it's quickly unraveled - sometimes as he's nursing. especially if he's fidgety.

So I either need to find a way to get *more* calories, slow down my metabolism, or have some other kind of magic bullet....because I'm wasting away (the pictures from the wedding I was in this weekend are not pretty.)

TIA!

PS: he is only interested in solids as something to play with and nibble on when I'm nowhere to be found. I'd rather not force food on him.

mylo · September 2010

I have no advice but wanted to let you know that I'm wasting away myself. My clothes just hang off of me. I never imagined that BF could burn so many calories...I wish I didn't worry about losing weight after the boy came! I eat a ton and nothing puts weight on. I'm looking forward to any replies!

Harper'smom · September 2010

I've struggled with weight loss due to the combination of not having weight to lose, breastfeeding, and being dairy free due to DD's allergies. At my last physical my doctor wanted me to add 3 additional high protein snacks on top of what I normally eat. I was nursing roughly 6 tmes a day at that time so I assume a 1/2 snack per nursing session is needed. This would have been an easy assingment if cheese was an option. I added things like soy milk, soy yogurt, peanut butter, and frozen home made mini meatballs among other things to what I normally eat. The meatballs are simple to pop in the microwave. I find that peanut butter and a bit of Gatorade help with the blood sugar but the most important thing is to stay on top of your eating and drinking. It is so easy to go much longer than you should without food and drink with a lo around.

If I were you I'd be living it up with a pizza and chocolate milk shake tonight :-). I'm sure you will get much more scientific advice from your nutritionist. GL.

NeenTheBean · September 2010

My sister just went to the Dr. for this but the Dr. gave her pills to increase her hunger and told her to eat at LEAST 2500 calories a day.

mr+ms · September 2010

I have the opposite problem, lol! The more I was BF'ing, the more fiercely my body hung on to weight. As I wean, I lose in spurts.

You could try focusing frequent mini-meals and snacks on foods that hold your blood sugar steady. The Glycemic Index might be a good place to start. glycemicindex.com is one resource. You'll want to make sure you're not having too many foods with a high GI value (which your body burns quickly, causing blood sugar to spike and then crash). Low GI foods tend to be higher in fiber and/or protein and will keep your blood sugar steadier throughout the day. Unfortunately, tasty candies and liquid sugary treats may be high in calories but won't maintain your blood sugar very well.

For weight gain, healthy fats and protein are probably the way to go. Nuts are probably the best convenient snack in this category. Cheese. Eggs. Meats. Avocado. Olive oil. etc.

zeesbride · September 2010

It sort of sounds like more of a hypoglycemic or thyroid situation. For your sake I hope not. I think I would double up on healthy fats like nuts, avocado and of course all kinds of ice cream

GL to you!

EmmieB · September 2010

thanks, guys! Tomorrow I make our menu/shopping list for the next two weeks (actual shopping: friday morning) so I'll do it armed with the glycemic index in addition to our CSA delivery.

yeesh- 2500 calories! That's like a whole pig and a couple of slabs of butter! Maybe I should move to France...

missjade21 · September 2010

Just wanted to second (3rd?) the protein comments. I had issues with this before BFing actually and the doc I saw was HUGE on protein. Up until then I was mainly a chicken girl, but she had me switch my dinners to red meat and just that helped a lot.

EmmieB · September 2010

missjade21:
Just wanted to second (3rd?) the protein comments. I had issues with this before BFing actually and the doc I saw was HUGE on protein. Up until then I was mainly a chicken girl, but she had me switch my dinners to red meat and just that helped a lot.

I feel like we eat a ton of red meat but I could just not be giving myself big enough portions of that (I try to have it as my "side" and have larger veg portions) but I think you're all right - I need more protein. Luckily there's a lot of food options out there!

Angela814 · September 2010

What about peanut butter? That would give you more protein and fat. I always felt like carbs helped my milk production too, so I'd have a whole grain bagel with peanut butter for breakfast.

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