Anonymous wrote:Along with the health benefits for the baby of breastfeeding, it was normal for me to shed pregnancy pounds like CRAZY while breastfeeding. Hardly an easier way in the world to get super slim while simply eating a normal, very well balanced diet. And slimming down had no impact on milk production.

I’m one of the PPs who holds onto weight breastfeeding, and I have always been *so jealous* of this quality.

Along with the health benefits for the baby of breastfeeding, it was normal for me to shed pregnancy pounds like CRAZY while breastfeeding. Hardly an easier way in the world to get super slim while simply eating a normal, very well balanced diet. And slimming down had no impact on milk production.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eat less.

This is horrible advice for a new, nursing mother.

OP, I was/am one of those women who can’t lose weight while breastfeeding. There are an unlucky handful of us. I understand the (gross) pressure on postpartum women to “snap back” quickly but please be very kind and gentle with yourself.

In the scheme of things, this is a very short time and you will lose the weight, just maybe not as quickly or as soon as you’d like.

Congratulations!

please, THIS!!!! I am postpartum 5 months with my 3rd and was just looking at pictures from a college friend who is 2 months postpartum. She snapped back 100% and I can still be mistaken as 2nd trimester. things for me seemed to move a month or two post-breastfeeding, never while I was breastfeeding. Even with exercise, even with doing a super healthy diet. give yourself grace. you did something awesome. you want to look and feel like yourself, I know, and that will come, but maybe not right now. exercise and eat well to feel good, but not strictly to lose weight. it will happen!

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend waiting on trying to lose more weight for now. I think when I tried to cut down the calories, it negatively impacted my supply which was already just barely enough. I waited until closer to the year mark when I weaned to lose the extra pounds.

Yes. I always had issues with supply being low. Could not BF exclusively - always needed a formula bottle here and there. When I tried to cut calories even modestly it got way worse supply wise. My baby stopped wanting to nurse except for nighttime, around 11 months and I dropped the last 10 lbs without even trying.

God I hated the pressure to breastfeed.

I would recommend waiting on trying to lose more weight for now. I think when I tried to cut down the calories, it negatively impacted my supply which was already just barely enough. I waited until closer to the year mark when I weaned to lose the extra pounds.

8 weeks postpartum? You put losing weight on hold right now. Just focus on maintaining. You’re feeding a baby that took 9 months to build. You’re only two months out. Give yourself a break.

Anonymous wrote:Eat less.

This is horrible advice for a new, nursing mother.

OP, I was/am one of those women who can’t lose weight while breastfeeding. There are an unlucky handful of us. I understand the (gross) pressure on postpartum women to “snap back” quickly but please be very kind and gentle with yourself.

In the scheme of things, this is a very short time and you will lose the weight, just maybe not as quickly or as soon as you’d like.

Congratulations!

Anonymous wrote:I think if you’re breastfeeding you need to do what you can to feed yourself while also caring for an infant, etc. Eat as healthy as possible - more protein, fiber and fruits and veg, fewer sweet treats. Prioritize whole foods - a lot of commercial trail mixes and protein bars are full of processed stuff your body doesn’t need.

Or else, if the weight loss is the first priority, wean the baby, and focus on whatever combination of diet and exercise that will get you to your desired weight.

Breastfeeding comes first but I don’t want to gain too much. My diet is mostly Whole Foods but I do enjoy banana bread, trail mix, protein bars, etc. I make all of it from scratch so I know what goes into it. Everything we consume is processed. I try to stay way from ultra processed foods as much as possible.

I think if you’re breastfeeding you need to do what you can to feed yourself while also caring for an infant, etc. Eat as healthy as possible - more protein, fiber and fruits and veg, fewer sweet treats. Prioritize whole foods - a lot of commercial trail mixes and protein bars are full of processed stuff your body doesn’t need.

Or else, if the weight loss is the first priority, wean the baby, and focus on whatever combination of diet and exercise that will get you to your desired weight.

Anonymous wrote:Breast feeding burns ~500 calories/day (give or take, depending on how much you're nursing). When I was trying to lose baby weight, I set a goal weight and daily calorie level, then added those nursing calories - like a workout - to determine how much to eat. So if I recall correctly, I was eating like 1800 calories a day and still losing weight. Of course my giant boobs didn't deflate until I weaned the kids. 😵

I’m probably eating closer to 2500 or more. I’m always hungry. I’m also eating a lot of calories dense stuff like homemade banana bread, trail mix, and protein bars for snacks.

Weight Watchers has a "breastfeeding" option that makes calorie allowances to account for breastfeeding. I did it for a week or two and it worked but I became overwhelmed between caring for a newborn (and toddler) and counting points. This was a few years ago and I think it would be a little bit more manageable now because they've added a significant number of 0 point foods that you don't have to measure/ weigh. Good luck, it's really hard!!

Breast feeding burns ~500 calories/day (give or take, depending on how much you're nursing). When I was trying to lose baby weight, I set a goal weight and daily calorie level, then added those nursing calories - like a workout - to determine how much to eat. So if I recall correctly, I was eating like 1800 calories a day and still losing weight. Of course my giant boobs didn't deflate until I weaned the kids. 😵

Eat less.

Is a calorie deficient okay or should I not worry at the moment?

I gained 30lbs and lost 20lbs within the first week after birth. I lost another 5lbs in the next couple of weeks but I’m holding on to the last 5lbs and I just saw I gained another 8lbs. I’m 8wks PP and EBF so my food intake is high. I’m eating a lot of healthy and not so healthy foods. I’m a little worried I’m gaining weight. How can I safely lose the weight?