BF'ers, how do you eat enough?

Miss.Modular · January 2009

this is a big issue for me. I am drinking enough-- i have a huge bottle of water i down constantly, but food is another story. i feel like i am not that hungry , and don't get a full 'meal' into until dinner time. i try to snack during the day and eat healthy things, but it's hard. and when it comes to choosing between food or sleep, i often choose the latter. any tips?

love.love · January 2009

keep snacks on your bedside table! I used to eat when baby was BFing to make sure I had some nourishment and to keep me awake. lol

edit: that is if you BF in bed.. if not keep snacks around wherever you primarily BF.

Mrs.Hizzo · January 2009

So are you worried about your caloric intake? Just up the calorie content of what you're eating during the day. I keep a bunch of Luna bars in the night table by the glider, too, so that I can grab one and eat it while DS nurses.

ohwhattheheck · January 2009

you probably won't have much appetite for another couple weeks. I had NO appetite at all for quite a while. I'm sure you're doing just fine. Keep up with the water and continue taking your prenatals. I don't blame you for choosing sleep!

LucyGoosey81 · January 2009

I suck at it too, but it does get easier. I try to choose foods that will keep me fuller longer, like oatmeal in the am when I can get it in (also good for your supply). Do you have a sling you can nurse him in while you eat?

violetvirgo · January 2009

i try to always have healthy snacks handy and eat a small snack and drink a big glass of water every time I sit down to BF. That helps. on days that DH is home he always cooks and make sure i eat.

i wish i didn't feel hungry...i have the opposite problem. i'm STARVING all the time!!!

sunnygyrl · January 2009

My weight is a constant struggle, so I am on WW (B/F you get to add 10 extra points, so it is all good). I get light headed when I don't eat enough. DH makes me a sandwich when he makes his lunch (for work), so that is that meal. I am cutting up food and keeping it in my fridge, so I have nutritious food to snack on ... fruit, veggies, protein. Now that I am on WW, I am constantly thinking about eating enough to meet my points. It really helps too that I talk to the others in WW on here daily. We hold each other accountable, which I find to be quite nice.

cchrisler · January 2009

I started stashing food near my pumping equipment. Granola bars, juice boxes etc. Or I make a plate of peanut butter/celery sticks or something and bring up with me to eat while I'm pumping. I HATED pumping at first but now I get a great magazine from the store when I'm out and pumping is "me time". I shut the door and enjoy the silence. I'm sure 2 weeks pp thats hard for you since you are busy busy!

Remember you are healing too!

Peanut's_Mommy · January 2009

When dd was that young, I would keep snacks all over the house. I would just eat when I could. Once your dc gets a little older, it's a lot easier (at least for me) to find time to eat. Now, I can't stop eating. BF'ing makes me so freakin' hungry.

MaybeABaby? · January 2009

My mom came over when ds was 2 weeks old and helped me make a bunch of freezer meals. It is so easy to heat and eat and there are plenty of leftovers to eat for lunch or snacks. I also eat a lot of sandwiches, cheese, apples, peanut butter crackers- easy to throw together in a pinch.

My appetite didn't come back until about 2.5 weeks PP, though.

candreco · January 2009

I felt like that the first few weeks- no appetite and no energy to make myself eat, especially after DH went back to work and wasn't there to go get food for me. You will actually start to feel hungry again, and have time to eat too. It does get better!

In the meantime, keep a box of granola bars by your bed, get pre-sliced apples and other individually wrapped snacks so you don't have to deal with prepping anything, even keep a cooler of snacks near wherever you nurse so it's convenient.

iris427 · January 2009

In the first weeks I was more tired than hungry. Now I am hungry ALL THE TIME. Listen to your body and you will be fine.

Marie Tourville · January 2009

It takes 500 more calories each day to feed a baby then it did to grow a baby. So up your calories by 500.

Peanut butter sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and cheese cubes are all good things to keep on hand. Anything that can be "hand" food.

And milk. Drink milk. Eat cereal if you can. Add in dried fruit. It all will help.

And have a midnight snack set out. I made sure to eat something when I woke up in the middle of the night and most nights I acutally woke up because I was starving. Having it set out made things a lot easier.

LynnInLove1007 · January 2009

I was the same way when Max was first born. I just wasn't hungry. When you do eat just make sure it's nutritious.

102503Natalie · January 2009

In the beginning I wasn't as hungry. I remember reading posts on here about how hungry BFing girls were, and I would think to myself, "Wow, I'm not hungry at all!" Then, one day, it all kicked in and I couldn't stop eating. My appetite has been great ever since. I think your body knows when it needs more fuel, so you will probably get into ravenous mode very soon.

I'm starting to wean and have noticed that my appetite is starting to stabalize again. I only ate lunch today and a little bit of Taco Bell for dinner and I still feel full.

lucyjeanne · January 2009

I use to feel hungry all the time and I thought it was the mini pill, which I quit because of this. Hopefully it isn't my supply draining, because I am no longer hungry all the time. I eat regular healthy meals and snacks in between. Dd always acts full or content and she has reflux so I do see it come out. Hmm.. Now I'm super curious.

divakotka · January 2009

I am in the same boat. I still have very little appetite at this point (and not to mention very little time).

But the first two weeks, I pretty much drank Carnation breakfast drinks all the time, especially every time I got up at night as well as first thing in the morning. It does have quite a bit of sugar but on the other hand, it has vitamins, minerals, and protein as well.

When my appetite is low, I usually feel unable to eat something "real" so I try to get by with nutritional drinks, smoothies, etc.

For snacks, I have pre-cut veggies (with ranch dip for extra calories), full-fat cheeses, whole wheat triscuit, and regular greek yogurt with honey. The more calories the better but I think I am still below my daily minimum. Thankfully it hasn't affected my supply.

tifvolley · January 2009

I had absolutely no appetite the first two months pp. I kept waiting to get really hungry since everyone said that's what happens when your BF. It got to the point where I had to force myself to eat. I still haven't hit the starving BF phase.

Keeping up with the water is a great thing. Try keeping snacks scattered throughout the house to remind you to eat. Your appetite will come back at some point.

craziheazo · January 2009

Like a PP, I second the Luna Bars. They are actually pretty filling and they have 10 grams of protein, so they'll help with your supply too.

I just started getting my appetite back. The first month or so I probably averaged one real meal and a few snacks a day. You'll get into a better routine and find time to eat.

Trust your body. If your body tells you to sleep, then grab something on the way back to bed!

kertybird · January 2009

I can be held over with a pretty big breakfast. I never really eat much for lunch and I have a pretty light dinner. DH has been making waffles, pancackes, bacon, and eggs. With #1 I never had enough milk, but with #2 I have a ton. I think it is because I am eating a lot more. Try to eat as often as you can!!

Solelle · January 2009

My apetite is out of control with breastfeeding. I could graze all day i given the chance. I eat while I bf, usually healthy things like nuts or yogurt. I tend to pig out at dinner...dont really do lunch and breakfast is usually cereal or something small like a bagel.

astara · January 2009

i try to keep trail mix around - whole foods has the most delicious cranberry nut mix

angelaa73 · January 2009

I bought a shizzleload of pretzels,apples and babybel cheeses. I would just pop those in my mouth while he nursed. It's not great, but at least I wasn't starving

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