Hi moms,
I am interested in any suggestions or experiences from others moms with weaning and weight loss or gain. I have been fortunate to lose weight with healthy eating and exercise and am finally at a weight I am happy with. I know that for breastfeeding I require more calories (between 400 and 600 extra per day I think) and my concern is that when I wean my son (which won't be for a few more months I am sure) that I will continue to eat like I am nursing and my weight will balloon.
My questions are: Has anyone successfully weaned without gaining too much weight? Do you try to cut back calories gradually while weaning or increase your exercise? I remember weaning my older son and my hormones went insane and I was pregnant a few weeks after weaning him anyway, so I don't know what would have happened with my weight. I am not ultra-paranoid or vain, I just wanted some suggestions from experience or research on keeping things a little more even.
Thank you in advance!
P.S. Please, no opinions about when to wean or anything like that. Just breastfeeding/weaning/diet/exercise comments. Thanks!!
Thanks for the thoughts. I don't count my calories now, just eat when I'm hungry and make sure I get enough fruits and veggies. Sounds like everyone has different experiences and since weight doesn't add up overnight, I should be able to watch it as he weans gradually.
I weaned my son 2 months ago and I can happily report that I haven't gained any pound, I might have lost a pound or so in boob weight ;)). I am eating healthy and exercise moderately in general though. Good luck to you!
M.,
Honestly, from what I remember, I just didn't think about it too much. Your body lets you know that you don't need as much food as you did and it just happened naturally for me. I didn't gain any weight back when I weaned. So just listen to your body. Good luck.
K.
I found when I weaned my son that I had a whole metabolic shift. I slept better and lost the last 5 pounds in about a week and my appetite fell off the map. I didn't struggle with hunger in the way I had during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
I also weaned in about a month. My son stopped nursing at the breast when he was about 4 months old and started teething. I work full time, and he was so used to biting the bottle during the day, i mean nursing meant blood and tears and a total mess. So after I couldn't take it any longer, I spent several months pumping for him and I went from pumping 6-7 times a day and eliminated one pumping a week. I mention this because I went from full production to nothing in a matter of 5-6 weeks. I had a much more dramatic hormonal shift than my friends who stayed at home and slowly weaned. But overall, it was actually a good thing for my weight. Like my body was hanging onto the last 5 pounds.
BTW--love the Weight Watchers plan. Particular the Core plan, it is like a list of foods that you really ought to be eating. It changed the way I eat and feed my family.
Good Luck!
I say try not to stress about it - I lost the last 5 pounds with both of my kids after i weaned. And - it just happened. You just won't be as hungry. I hope you are as lucky.
Hi M.,
I had the same fear when my son began to decrease his nursing. I was in the best shape of my life when I was breastfeeding. He weaned very gradually, which helped I think. I also found that as he got heavier, I got a bir more exercise holding him and rocking him to sleep. I used to put him in a mai tai carrier or sling and sway for a 1/2 hr while he fell asleeep- it was great exercise for my legs and torso. I've gained a little weight- I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I didn't pack it on like I thought I would. Best of luck!
C.
I feel like you're overthinking it a bit. For me, it just happened naturally. When I weaned each of my children, I would cut out feedings and add in more table food. As a result, I was less hungry and ate less. By the time we weaned, my kids were nursing just morning and evening, and eventually just evening. Hunger faded. Just keep eating healthy foods and listen to your body. Don't worry about cutting calories or increasing exercise - if you're eating right and active right now, just maintain those good habits and respond to the fullness cues your body gives you when you're eating. Weaning was never a weight gain issue for me, nor for anyone whom I know. Don't worry!
I have nursed 5 boys, mostly back to back, but i have noticed that i loose weight(about 10-15pounds)when I stop nursing...I think it was just that i wasn't as hungry and it all went together. My friend is sooo skinny when she nurses and then goes back up to her normal weight when she's done...so I am no help to you here... I just wanted you to know that I've seen it both ways...you know your body best...if you feel that you're a lil heavier now than before you may be like me and it will come off as you get back to your "normal" routine. good luck!!!
M.,
Honestly I found I actually lost a few pounds after weaning my first two children. I didn't feel as hungry when I wasn't nursing and therefore didn't eat the extra calories. I did find myself cutting back on the late night snacks/desserts but more because I thought that was healthier and better rather than because we had stopped nursing. Listen to your body as you go through the process and you will be fine.
Good luck!
