Hi all!
I lurk here pretty regularly I've posted only once or twice... but have a question for anyone who is BF'ing and trying to get back into a regular diet and exercise program.
What/how are you doing this? I still have about 11 weeks left in this pregnancy, but I want a plan in place for myself as soon as I have her. I understand I'll have to wait until I'm cleared for exercise (and that most often, that's about 6 weeks time). I guess I'm more concerned with the diet end of it.
Has anyone found any good resources/websites for how to eat healthfully enough and keep calories low enough to lose the baby weight while still eating ENOUGH to maintain supply?
Re: Caloric Needs & Exercise while BF'ing?
weight watchers has a program for nursing moms. i know a few moms using it, but BFing didn't work out for me, so no first hand experience.
most (not all) moms say that they lose weight b/c of the BFing, so focus on eating healthy, going for just walks at first, then adjusting from there.
I'm a group fitness instructor and went back to teaching (6-10 classes per week) right at the 6 week mark and had no problem maintaining supply.
Keep hydrated and eat. . . and if you notice supply issues just eat some more.
With my DD, the weight dropped off right away and I was actually below my prepregnancy weight.
With DS, I held on to a few pounds above my prepregnancy weight and then lost them (about 8 lbs.) right after he weaned, so experiences can be very different.
I am now 11 weeks pp and have only lost 10 of my 30 lbs of baby weight. I'm EBF and thought that nursing would help shed some of the weight. I also still look like I'm about 5 months pg, and I'm normally a pretty slender person. I'm telling you this because I was really surprised that I'm about to go back to work and barely fit in any clothes. I should have gotten my butt off the couch a lot sooner!
Are you familiar with kellymom.com? This is an awesome website with lots of info about BF, not just weight/exercise. I have found a lot of great info here. I'm now starting some exercise videos and am not seeing any dip in supply. I try to drink a lot of water and eat lots of fruits. Good luck!
TTC#1 for 19 months with PCOS and MFI IUI#3 + injectables = BFP!!!! Beta#1-134(13dpiui) Beta #2-392(15dpiui)
#1 born December 2011
TTC#2 - Beta #1 -51@10dpo Beta#2 -1353 @16dpo
#2 born May 2013
TTC # 3 June 2014 BFP 12-1-14
#3 born August 2015
#4!!!!!!! due June 2017
Thanks so much ladies!! I've done clean eating in the past, so I can definitely go back to that once she's here to help the weight come off... I was worried that BF-ing wouldn't be a magical solution, so even though I plan to BF, I don't want to depend on that.
Ill definitely check out that website too!! Thank you for the resource.
I am the same way! I exercised up until the day I delivered. My Dr. even cleared me at 1 week pp to start running again. I have been running/exercising every day since then. I only gained 30lbs while I was pregnant and thought it would fall off since I worked so hard. Not the case. BF makes me hungry!!!! I am not even eating dairy and I haven't lost a single lb in weeks! ugh......at least my baby is happy and healthy:)