breastfeeding and exercising - too much on body?

[Anonymous]

I exercised all through my pregnancy and have been exercising postpartum too. But I'm also breastfeeding and feel STARVING all the time. I'm not dieting or anything and definitely eating enough. But I'm annoyed by the constant hunger and feel like it's one more thing I have to manage / a time-suck to do more meal prep than before. I'm wondering if I should stop exercising to get my appetite under control... because it's more intense than it ever was in pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I was also nonstop hungry during breastfeeding -- the baby's getting bigger and breastmilk is a less efficient energy source than blood transfusions, so it makes sense you need more energy too. I would talk to your doctor about whether you're actually eating enough; generally when breastfeeding you need to eat as much or more than you did while pregnant. You could try taking it easy on the exercise front if you want, but I'm not sure it would help. I would also say as someone who exercised through pregnancy and postpartum, the exercise endorphins really helped keep my mood good so if you cut back on exercise and find yourself sadder/more hormonal, be kind to yourself and figure that out too.

Good luck! The amount of energy it takes to sustain a baby is A LOT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I exercised all through my pregnancy and have been exercising postpartum too. But I'm also breastfeeding and feel STARVING all the time. I'm not dieting or anything and definitely eating enough. But I'm annoyed by the constant hunger and feel like it's one more thing I have to manage / a time-suck to do more meal prep than before. I'm wondering if I should stop exercising to get my appetite under control... because it's more intense than it ever was in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding uses a lot of calories so of course you are hungry. I would have to snack constantly and had much more intense cravings while breastfeeding than while pregnant. But exercise is critical for emotional health as well as physical so don't entirely give up on it. Just cut back if you need too.

[Anonymous]

Yeah the hunter is more from breastfeeding that exercise. Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day. It's actually more than in your third trimester.

Unless you're doing a lot of really intense exercise, it's burnjng much less than that.

Snacks and protein.

[Anonymous]

Up your water too. Dehydration sends the same signals as hunger. I have to drink at least 100oz a day while breastfeeding and training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Up your water too. Dehydration sends the same signals as hunger. I have to drink at least 100oz a day while breastfeeding and training.

Oh good point! I drank SO MUCH Gatorade and water while breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

It’s normal, but yes it’s annoying. There is No Hungry Like Breastfeeding Hungry (or thirsty).

[Anonymous]

I lost so much weight breastfeeding I don’t know how I could have exercises. I ate constantly and still lost 17 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight. Three kids and it happened with each of them! I gained it all back though. In my late 40s and I’m now 26 pounds above my breastfeeding weight, despite the diet and exercise. But it was a decade of having to keep pants in several different sizes.

[Anonymous]

Yesssss! I’m 5 weeks postpartum and am starving constantly. I ate a big dinner and then was hungry 2 hours later tonight. I’m so annoyed too because my weight loss has stalled. I just can’t stop thinking about food. I’ve started trying to just ignore the hunger and am hoping that will budge the scale.

[Anonymous]

I've never been more hungry than when I was first breastfeeding, it was almost funny (first breakfast, second breakfast, snack, lunch, post-lunch snack...). I don't know if stopping exercise will help with the hunger. What type of exercise are you doing? If you're doing cardio could you switch to yoga/strength?

Also, you have permission to EAT as much as you need to!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't stop exercising if I were you. For me, it was hard to get back to it once I quit. Drink and eat more. You are asking a lot of your body working out and breastfeeding so it needs fuel. I don't think it's anything to be worried about unless there's more going on than increased hunger, like you're feeling run down.

[Anonymous]

I have to eat 1000-2000 calories more than my maintenance levels to not lose weight while breastfeeding. I’m currently hovering just above the underweight cut off and only not dipping below because I eat three meals, two snacks, and at least 1-2 desserts a day at a year postpartum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to eat 1000-2000 calories more than my maintenance levels to not lose weight while breastfeeding. I’m currently hovering just above the underweight cut off and only not dipping below because I eat three meals, two snacks, and at least 1-2 desserts a day at a year postpartum.

Whoops. Forgot my point. I didn’t/am not exercising and am ravenous while breastfeeding. I also must eat carbs and fat or I won’t feel full for very long. My body just needs them. I usually eat lowish carb but not while breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

I trained for and ran a marathon while breastfeeding my second child. She nursed for 17 months. You don’t need to stop exercising. Just eat more. It doesn’t require more meal prep, just add additional snacks like a piece of fruit or nuts at various times throughout the day.