nursing and weight loss

trudibell · August 2013

So, the word on the street was that breast feeding was a way to lose baby weight! Obviously that's not the main reason I wanted to breast feed, but it was a perk.

Because of a breast reduction I had as a teenager I have a low supply, so I am supplementing. I am following Weight Watcher's and eating the points for moms who nurse and supplement. I nurse my son 3-5x a day for 10-20 minutes at a time, and then pump 4-6x a day for 20 minutes at each time. On top of whatever he gets from nursing, I'm able to provide about 20-25% of his food from pumped milk. I eat healthfully and have been active and amped up my exercise as soon as I got the green light from my doctor.

But I haven't lost any weight - I initially dropped 23 of the 37 pounds I gained while pregnant, but the weight has stuck. I've been watching what I eat, eating mostly "clean," walking daily, and the past two weeks have added in abdominal exercises and running and the scale won't budge. I'm worried that if I restrict my calories anymore the little supply that I have will dry up, however I have to go back to work in a week and none of my old clothes fit and it's doing a number on my self-esteem. I feel selfish when I think if I just quit with breast milk I could lose more weight - what should I do?

vlagrl29 · August 2013

I never breast fed so take what I say with a grain of salt. Every one told me the best way to loose all the baby weight was to BF. I have my reasons for not BF'ing, 1 being I really wanted my body to be my own again because I had an extremely rough pregnancy. 2 being I wanted to cut calories and loose the shit ton of weight I gained. Come to find out the few mom's I knew that did BF hung on to the weight until they stopped BF'ing. I think your body just needs those few extra pounds. Do what feels right to you. There is no right or wrong way.

ariellynn21 · August 2013

You may be gaining muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. I know for me I lost a ton of muscle while pregnant. After the pregnancy I initially lost at least half the weight then was even, then even gained a little. What happened was my body was gaining muscle faster than losing fat. It will balance out eventually if you stick to what ever your work out routine is that works for you! Good Luck!

Luv2Run1st · August 2013

You might be cutting too many calories to lose weight. Everyone is different obviously. Ive heard weight watchers is really good but no experience with it postpartum. With my first, I ate to hunger and I was very hungry but I also breastfed a lot...12+ times per day and then when I went back to work, baby reversed cycled and fed all night and I pumped 3 times per day leading to significant weight loss.

I was also running 5-6 days per week.

The greatest weight loss seemed to be in the fourth month so hang in there. You might also end up losing a bunch in the first few weeks you go back to work.

thegirljack · August 2013

You theoretically use 500 extra calories a day when bf. 1000 calories burned is roughly equal to 1pound. I think in general you lose weight when bf over the long term just by sheer calorie expenditure being more all other things equal.
However if you do not eat enough your body may try to reduce your metabolism and hold onto weight though honestly I hate when people use that reason for not losing weight. It is simply a numbers game, more used then consumed equals weight loss.

Calculate BMR based off ideal weight and current weight add 300-500 cal for bf then decrease by about 500-1000 calories a week to get a steady weight loss of about .5 to 1pound a week until you reach ideal BMR. And by ideal i mean for your height and body type. Don't forget to account for calories expended to do exercise.

I think fitness pal does a nice job tracking all this but I don't know if they account for bf?

Sorry. That got long.

carlab44 · August 2013

Just to correct the PP, a pound is 3500 calories not 1000. So you'd need a deficit of 500 calories a DAY to lose 1 pound a week.

But regardless, many people hang on to that last 10 pounds until they wean. Happened to me and happened to many moms I know. Once I weaned I lost that last 10 pounds plus another 15 due to tracking my calories and regular exercise.

Frustrating I know, but in all likelihood you will lose those last pounds eventually .

mrs.mastro · August 2013

I think some women might hold extra weight while breastfeeding, but I know quite a few, myself included, who actually get below pre-preg weight while BFing. I definitely try to eat extra healthy but don't count calories or restrict, and I do occasionally indulge. I also run every other day.

I agree with the previous poster that you really will notice the extra calorie burn starting around 4 months. I am starting to get extra hungry and having to eat all the time now. I remember with DS#1 being able to eat a ton between 3 & 9 months and never gaining weight (I was also running then).

I wouldn't be afraid to up your exercise intensity. Unless you are training for an endurance sport, you probably will not affect your supply. I basically just run as fast as I can for 45 min or however long I can squeeze it in, and I'm totally exhausted, but never have supply problems. Just stay hydrated.

care99 · August 2013

Everyone's different. I held on to 10 lbs while BF'ing and when I weaned, it dropped off in a week. I ran a lot while nursing, and did a couple of half marathons but it still didn't help. I've learned that's just how my body works.

mb314 · August 2013

I hate that they tell women that they'll lose the baby weight breastfeeding. It works for some women, but not for everyone. I still have 15 pounds to lose at a year pp. Breastfeeding makes me super hungry and I just can't eat less than I do. For some women, they hold on to the extra weight.

That said, I have some success with Weight Watchers. They have a program for breastfeeding moms. But once I went back to work, I didn't stick with it, and I gained a few pounds back.

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