Breastfeeding and Weight Loss. . . Maybe Too Much Weight Loss?

I lost about ten pounds too much. I loved it but my mom told me it was too much! It took me two years to finally gain it back to my normal weight.

I lost a crazy amount of weight from BFing. I was 117 give or take when I got pregnant and I peaked at 150 before giving birth. And while I was breastfeeding I got down to 103 at my lowest. I was a stick and I could feel the effects. At about 8 months I attempted to supplement with formula for half the feeds and my DD would have none of it so I kept on with the BFing and just ate properly and then pigged out on anything I could. I stopped BFing at 13 months and that was the end of January. I am just about back up to my pre pregnancy weight at 115 and this is about 4 1/2 months later. I guess I dont really have any advice other than to just try to eat all the healthy stuff to keep you both healthy and then go crazy on the calories. I looked at as a way to never feel guilty about what I ate so long as I ate the right stuff first and then went nuts on the snacks
Good Luck

I breastfed #2 for a year and she sucked the life out of me, lol. I got down to 90 lbs after that time and it took me two years to gain the 15 lbs back that I lost. She's 3 1/2 now and I still have to be careful. If I miss one meal, I'll drop a pound.

I would eat more pastas - whole wheat if possible, more whole grains in general. Make sure you are using butter instead of non fat alternatives, if you drink milk, use at least 2% if not whole, and keep your veggie, fruit and water levels high.

You may want to look into strength training instead of aerobics or passive walking.

I had the same experience when I was breastfeeding and even asked to have my thyroid checked (it was normal). It seemed like I could stay at a low but healthy weight if I tried very hard to make sure I packed in the food, but if I got sick or anything else interfered with my appetite I had a very hard time regaining weight. I'm not sure about you, but for me it was a combination of the breastfeeding and not having enough time to eat the same size meals (and snacks) as I had prior to having a baby. Also, I had stopped working and was naturally more active staying at home than I was when I was working in an office. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor. Also, after I stopped nursing it didn't all come back on. I just didn't get dangerously thin if I missed meals or got sick. Once I stopped worrying about possible health problems, I tried to enjoy it! Just make sure you get enough nutrients to stay healthy.

It will plateau at a point. My son just turned 9 months and I think I hit the plateau around 8 months. He is less interested in nursing now that he eats "solid" foods and can handle his own bottle (he goes to daycare while I work - gets pumped bottles there). He is only nursing morning and night now - and since he is sleeping through, that means 3-4 nursing sessions per day. I got used to eatting a tone and am trying to cut back now. It is hard!!! I would say not to buy too many clothes until you stop nursing and reach a new "normal". Good luck!

PS I hit the plateau at 4 months with my first baby. Each pregnancy and baby is different.

You're right, we hate you! No, just kidding! I have heard of women losing serious amounts of weight while nursing, I met a woman who lost way too much nursing her twins, so it is possible. BUT, just to be on the safe side, see your doctor, unexplaied weight loss can be a warning sign of serious illness. It's better to be safe than sorry, right? Enjoy your baby!

I could have written this post. I know exactly what you are going through. I bought hundreds of dollars worth of size 4's thinking for sure I would stay that size (my pre-pregnancy size). Little did I know I would just keep losing and have to go buy an entirely new wardrobe. And no, it was not fun, it was expensive!

We joke that my kids literally suck the life out of me because they make me lose so much weight!

I eat tons of pastas (whole wheat), avocado, olive oil, all kids of healthy fats and whole milk. It doesn't help me gain weight at all. But, I feel great, and I look healthy even though I am thin, and that is what matters. I love food, and I eat until my heart is content. Having a healthy relationship with food is what is important. Try not to focus on the weight so much.

Try to ignore the comments. People may just need to get used to the new you! And I would suggest buying a few pieces here and there in your new size. I do recall gaining back about 5-10lbs each time I stopped nursing. But, I also get smaller and smaller each time I have a child! I am a freak of nature. Good, I guess......

=)

I know the feeling, I lost a lot of weight while breastfeeding my daughter. To the point one of my friends made a comment "come over and eat a cheeseburger". The problem was I felt I was eating enough, but I just wasn't. I've always really watched my fat intake, sugar, and portion size. Not because I have a weight problem, but just because I like to eat healthy, makes me feel good. What I had to do was watch my intake in another way, start really eating enough at all meals. The bottom line is you need to take in even more calories than you already are right now. Lots of protein at breakfast and each meal. Once I started doing this I didn't necessarily put on weight but I stopped looking like skin and bones. I also walked each day instead of doing intense exercising. This got me enough exercise but didn't over do it to mess with my calorie intake. Good luck! I commend you for continuing to breast feed! Plus, at 6 months when you start to give solids your baby will nurse less :)

I also lost a lot of weight while nursing. Most of my clothes were baggy no matter how much I ate or what I ate. It's now been 6 months since I stopped nursing and I have gained quite a bit back - in fact I've started working out before I leave for work and then walking on my lunch hour.

I also lost a ton of weight when my son was breastfeeding. If you don't have a family history of nut allergies try snacking on nuts or peanut butter to add calories and fat. Avocado is also a great addition. Carbs are great for energy, but you need a lot of fat in breast milk because that is necessary for brain development and growth for your baby.

Don't worry... it will come back. I was down to a size 4 six months after giving birth to both my babies, and now (oldest child is 5) am back to a large size 6. If working out will make you feel good (and it WILL), you should do it! It's also so good for your heart, muscles & happiness! I also wouldn't buy a whole new wardrobe - maybe just a few pieces for summer - because, as I said, you will gain the weight back. Enjoy it while it lasts, hot mama!

I was in the same boat--I was the smallest I've ever been while I was nursing. I could eat donuts all day and lose 5 pounds a week.

That said, eat well-balanced meals and exercise moderately. Your body will eventually adjust and plateau. Odds are you will gain some, maybe not all, of it back gradually as you wean.

I'm like you. Have always been thin. I eat enough, but I'm definitely not an over eater, and I don't eat sugar/desserts/sodas/juice, etc(basically no stuff that causes fast weight gain). When I'm nursing, the weight falls off.

If you eat more, it should resolve the issue for you:-) Though, it might be hard to eat enough!

protein shakes and bars they have a lot of calories and if you do a small workout and eat protein afterwards youlle gain some muscle which is heavier then fat ...obviously your not fat but youlle get tone .you get the picture :D

I would check with your doctor just to make sure because it can be a sign of something else.However, it most likely is from breastfeeding and you'll need to take more calories in. You will most likely gain some weight back when you stop nursing so hold off on too many new clothes.