losing weight while breastfeeding

[melissarana]

I’m hoping for some suggestions. I’m currently tandem nursing an 11-week-old and 26-month-old. I’ve been breastfeeding for over two years now, since I nursed my son throughout my pregnancy with my daughter. Even still, I gained a lot (50+ lbs) of weight while I was expecting.

I’m still about 20 lbs (or so) above my pre-pregnancy weight – but – my pre-pregnancy weight was about 10 lbs over my ideal weight. SO, I have 30 lbs to loose. And, here’s my problem: I am SO hungry. All the time. I attribute it, of course, to the nutritional demands of tandem nursing, but my weight doesn’t seem to be budging. So, should I cut back my calories? Or, should I listen to my body? How many calories should I be eating per day?

I’d really appreciate any feedback/advice. Thanks so much!

[crazychick]

on that one I am not really sure except they say that a bf mom should comsume around 200-300 calories above 2,000. hope that part helps and sorry it wasnt much

[Inspired007]

It's not unusual for your body to hold off on weight loss while you're breastfeeding. Everyone's body is different and although some women lose quite a bit of weight while nursing, some women's bodies do the exact opposite and allow very litte excess weight to be shed.

Are you exercising at all? Maybe that will help some, if not. With regards to your diet, I would focus on eating nutrient dense meals, often, like 3-5 small meals a day to keep your metabolism up.

FWIW, I never had much luck losing weight with bf'ing except in the first 3 months postpartum. After that, my body put me on lockdown with regards to shedding weight until I weaned. Hopefully this time around, I can make the most of the early weight loss and get down to where I want to be too!

[Mary-Beth]

I've lost about 30lbs in a year while bf (just one, not two babies)
I've recently hit a wall and cannot seem to loose the last 10lbs...but I'll keep plugging along.

I started exercising when my baby was about 4.5 months old. I found a small gym with a child watch room and I have older kids who could tell me everything/come get me. I would say you want to do this in a way that supports and builds your health so be patient, exercise 3-4x a week, eat first thing to start your metabolism, eat small healthy mini-meals throughout the day, eat if your hungry and don't try to limit calories, and drink plenty of water. The weight will come off.

[Rockies5]

5x over I've lost between 60-90lbs durring 4m-1.5 years postpartum. My body does not allow me to lose anything at all unless I am watching what I eat, excercising intensely and also happen to be breastfeeding. Can't lose anything at all in the beginning. I once delivered a 9lb baby and "only" lost 4lbs that day. rotfl.

But I also normally am not more then a few pounds overweight, do BF while pregnant (have gotten pg between 9-12months pp each time while nursing around the clock) and gain around 70lbs average per pregnancy.

it is slower to lose when you are older too, due to muscle loss (which is natural, but preventable). I know my after 30-pregnancies were different then me ones in my early 20's

and calories are going to be different for each person due to how efficient her metabolism is, and what her baby is taking. But, when all is said and doen being consistent about whatever it is you are doing to meet your goal is key.

For instance, with one baby I lost 98lbs in 1.5 years and was eating close to 3,000 calories, and with another (6 years later) it took me two years and my diet was around only 1300 calories.

If you eat a good mix of foods and vitimins, are active, track for a few weeks as see what happens. If you don't get reasonable results, you make healthy changes.

also remember that breasts can cause about a 5lb variance daily so mirrors and tape measures are better tools then the scale postpartum.

[nmelanson]

I definitely gained 20lbs over two years while I was nursing, even though I don't think I was eating too much and I was SO HUNGRY all the time. I felt so betrayed! I have heard that some women's bodies go into conservation mode while nursing... must be genetic - BUT OH SO FRUSTRATING!

[BlackSheepPDX]

I'm closing in on 2 1/2 years postpartum, and only in the last few months have I gotten back to pre-preg weight (gained 35 during pregnancy, and held on to a lot of it for a good year plus, despite being a competitive athlete). I believe the best thing you can do for your body is to listen to it. If you're hungry, eat. You're sustaining TWO other people right now, and you need to respect that. You have an 11 week old. Don't worry about your weight right now. If you are living a healthy lifestyle with good diet and exercise, it will come back down over time. As others have said, eat small meals often, exercise when you can, and keep your metabolism happy. An effort to drop weight fast generally puts your body even further into conservation mode, and thwarts your efforts, not to mention setting you up for a yo-yo. It's hard to be compassionate with yourself about weight, but it's healthiest, for you, and for your kids.

[paulamc]

If you feel hungry, one thing to consider is the possibility that you aren't getting enough calories. Your metabolism may be shutting down to conserve bodyfat, as it would do in a famine situation. You could try eating more (more frequently, as the pps suggested) and see if that helps. Worth a try, perhaps.