Trying to lose weight and breastfeeding

IBackBevo · May 2014

I have a 2.5 week old and so far breastfeeding is going relatively well. I tried with my first ds, who is now 20 months, and it didn't end up working out for a variety of reasons. He couldn't latch and I EP for awhile, but between mpi and horrible supply and other issues, I stopped about 2 months.

This time it is going so much better and I don't want to do anything to mess it up or compromise supply. However, I also would like to start trying to lose some weight. I have plenty of fat stores. If you were able to successfully lose weight while breastfeeding, how did you do it? When did you start? What did you do?

I was thinking about waiting until about 6 weeks to start so as to make sure supply was established.

memcgee1 · May 2014

Honestly, for me, the baby weight literally fell off over a period of about 4-6 months with EBF and minimal exercise. I think the current recommendation is to wait until your 6 week pp visit with your OB before starting any exercise program anyway. Once you do start up with exercise again, just make sure you're drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated, and you shouldn't see any issues with your supply.

vvvvvfee · May 2014

memcgee1 said:

Honestly, for me, the baby weight literally fell off over a period of about 4-6 months with EBF and minimal exercise.

this. if you're willing to wait a while, it'll just come off with BFing. i did not get in a lot of exercise in DS's first year, and i still lost all the pregnancy weight plus a few pounds extra.

here's some good info on weight loss and BFing, though: https://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-weightloss/

NatesCupcake47 · May 2014

Nearly all of my weight came off the first 8 weeks. I've had a few pounds lingering and now that I'm running again they're slowly coming off. DD is 8.5 months.

babym6705 · May 2014

I'm at 6.5 wks and have been using My Fitness Pal to track calories since 3 wks. I have not had any supply issues and have lost 6 pounds already. I gained 50lbs during pregnancy.

Myaflowers · May 2014

I am 16 months PP and still have 15 lbs to lose before I get to prepregnancy weight. I feel like BF makes me hold onto the extra weight. I eat exactly the same as I did prepregnancy (when I was thin) but am still carrying around the extra weight. I don't really have room to cut calories, so I'm increasing my exercise to see if that helps. I really think I won't lose weight until I wean, though. Everyone is different. Some people lose weight easily while BF, and some of us don't. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones!

Myaflowers · May 2014

Just to update what I said above, I've been eating healthy and exercising more, and I weighed this morning and gained a pound. I. Give. Up.

Myaflowers · May 2014

@Casey78, I did just start back exercising over the past 2 weeks or so. Someone at work told me I look smaller, so maybe you're right (I hope!). I'm going to take my measurements tonight and go by that instead of the scale. Thanks for giving me a little hope!

IBackBevo · May 2014

Myaflowers said:
@Casey78, I did just start back exercising over the past 2 weeks or so. Someone at work told me I look smaller, so maybe you're right (I hope!). I'm going to take my measurements tonight and go by that instead of the scale. Thanks for giving me a little hope!

If you are still sore, it may be water weight. Sore muscles retain water.

Myaflowers · May 2014

I definitely am sore! Congrats again on your LO!

Myaflowers · May 2014

theresat858 said:

Myaflowers said:

Just to update what I said above, I've been eating healthy and exercising more, and I weighed this morning and gained a pound. I. Give. Up.

Weight fluctuates by 3-5 lbs over the course of a day and can easily flucuate by a pound or two from one day to the next even if you are weighing yourself under the same circumstances (i.e. in the morning after peeing, or whatever). I wouldn't worry about 1 lb.

I don't weigh myself daily for that reason. This was my first weigh in since the beginning of the month, which is why I was disappointed that I haven't lost any weight. I also weighed at the same time of day and on the same scale as last time.

Want a personalized experience?

Trying to lose weight and breastfeeding

Re: Trying to lose weight and breastfeeding

Choose Another Board

Search Boards