https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 21:16:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-dieting#post-1563760 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 17:06:36 +0000 Kemma 1563760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say give it 2-3 months to get nursing established then start to add in more exercise and watch your diet. I believe Weight Watchers has a great programme for nursing mothers and you may also find that you can maintain your supply by eating less calories but better and healthier foods. My osteopath actually recommended cutting out dinner carbs every other night as a way of losing weight while nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-dieting#post-1563737 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:52:53 +0000 HLK208 1563737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll share my experiences with nursing both LO's:</p> <p>With my first, right after I delivered, I wanted to bounce back right away. I was super dedicated. I didn't even eat the hospital food for the first night after I delivered (my parents brought me a salad and fruit to snack on). By 3 weeks pp, I was pretty strict about dieting - only eating grapefruit for breakfast, eggs for lunch, a salad for dinner (with snacks in between). I lost all 57 pounds of pregnancy weight by 5 weeks pp. I was at the gym by 6 weeks pp and I worked HARD. I was just doing what I was use to with my non-pregnant body to lose weight. My milk dipped but I also needed to go back to work. I had to supplement with formula. As soon as I stopped dieting, my milk was back and I could nurse/pump just fine.</p> <p>With my second, I didn't diet at all. I actually ate SO unhealthy. I didn't get down to my pre-preg weight until 14 months pp. My milk never dipped but then again, I felt horrible about my body! What eventually worked was eating mostly grain free and drinking a lot of green smoothies. I didn't worry about portions so much and I worked out a lot.</p> <p>I think there's a happy medium so this time, I'm going to make sure I work out 3 times a week but eat normal, whole foods and not worry about portions so much. I just want to make sure what I eat is nutritious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-dieting#post-1563730 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:48:45 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1563730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I waited until Liam was over 6 months old before I even thought about trying to lose weight. At that point, I just started slow - I didn't count calories, but I was a little more careful about what I ate and tried not to overindulge in sweets (my weakness). Then, once Liam started decreasing his milk intake on his own at around 10 months, I started using my fitness pal and kicked it into high gear. Losing weight more quickly definitely decreased my milk output, but at that point, he was already dropping bottles on his own, so it was ok. I've read that nursing for more than 6 months really helps the mom lose weight and nursing for over a year makes a huge difference.</p> <p>I hope BFing works out better for #2! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-dieting#post-1563714 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:39:28 +0000 sunny 1563714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me, I would not worry about it for at least a few months while you get your supply regulated and while the nursing relationship is important. If you're ok with having less output after 3 or 6 months, then perhaps that is when you start thinking about losing weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-and-dieting#post-1563707 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 16:35:14 +0000 swurlygurl 1563707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The other thread about missing meals and output got me thinking about this. Weight has always been an issue for me, and has included a lot of 'dieting'. I think this is one of the reasons breastfeeding ended up not working for us for DD #1. </p> <p>I really want to make it work for #2, but the whole concept of not restricting my calories is so foreign to me.</p> <p>So, I know I need to eat more this time, but I don't want to overdo it and start gaining a bunch of weight, just to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. I know I'll need to carefully track my calories to make sure I'm eating enough, and make sure I'm eating good, nutrient dense foods. Also to make sure I don't eat too much.</p> <p>Here's the point of my post: I'd like to lose weight after giving birth - is that just something I should absolutely not think about while trying to breastfeed? Anyone successfully do both? I'm already overweight, so it's not just me needing to lose 10 pounds. </p>