It's me again with another question! 
For those of you that breastfeed and exercise, does it affect your supply? I want to slowly start getting into running again now that I'm not sore. I could really use the stress relief! Someone told me that running will hurt my supply. Did any of you find that to be true? I plan on running immediately after nursing, either in the morning or in the evening after DH gets home.
papaya / 10473 posts
I've been going to Zumba a few times a week since 6 weeks and it hasn't hurt my supply one bit!
I do, however, have to be careful with sports bras. I wore one that was too snug the first two times I worked out and I got a plugged duct that turned into mastitis.
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
I haven't had issues- I've only been able to run about once a week because of our schedules, but haven't had any issues on the days that I've gone. Mostly I've been power walking w/ babe and stroller (about 3 miles a day) and have seen no change with that.
I think you just want to be sure you are eating enough, particularly healthy fats. I wouldn't start dieting and marathon training!
Looking forward to October when we have the go-ahead to start jogging with babe!
cantaloupe / 6206 posts
Once I discovered a walk in the Moby is the only way to get LO to nap, I started walking MILES and MILES and MILES a day. My supply has been fine (with the exclusion of pumping at work this week!). I've consistently fed LO what she needs and pumped at least 4-5 oz/day on top of that for my freezer stash.
I think it depends more on caloric input - if you're compensating for exercise with more food, your supply should be fine.
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
I think it depends. As long as you're replenishing the nutrients you burn while running, I think you're fine. I ran and did boot camp while nursing. If I didn't drink enough water or eat enough food, it took a hit for a couple days.
persimmon / 1304 posts
@LazyLightning: True that! While I would love to, only time I could get exercising in is in the middle of the night at this point. In the meantime, my workouts are power walking to and from the lactation room.
pear / 1664 posts
@bisous: right? my husband and i decided I should get up when get gets up with LO - between 4:30 and 5, and exercise before I shower for work. Unfortunately I've yet to do it. I lie in bed and just... don't. LOL
pomelo / 5820 posts
Sounds great, more food and water! I can do that. I've been really bad about drinking water recently. I need to improve on that.
@LazyLightning: Haha this is all hypothetical! I keep thinking I can run in the morning after nursing, and before DH goes to work. I feel like that's easy to say when it's not 6:30 am and I'm exhausted!
nectarine / 2750 posts
@LazyLightning: Free childcare at the Y! I don't know how I'd do it otherwise. Well also walking or jogging with the stroller.
@Pepper: Pretty much what others have said. I work out almost every day and have had no supply issues. I just make sure to eat enough to get the extra calories I need and drink lots of water.
kiwi / 662 posts
I haven't noticed any difference since starting workouts 2.5 months ago. I do make sure I keep up food & water though. That said I still feel insatiable at 6.5 months PP. It amazes me how much I eat! Makes me kind of worries for adjusting once LO weans.
bananas / 9118 posts
lol, I totally read the title wrong... total blonde moment
I was wondering why the heck anyone would want to exercise and breastfeed at the exact same time, then I started to think how that would even be possible. Exercise bike?
FWIW- I didn't start really working out until I started weaning, but I did do several fairly long hikes while bf'ing, I just made sure to drink a lot of extra water before, during, and after.
bananas / 9118 posts
@LazyLightning: @tlcbaby: Yes!! The free childcare at the Y is the only way I can do it! They are so good to him, he runs around, socializes, and burns energy while I get an hour of time to myself 
I thought I would have to force myself to go, but I really love it, but I'll also spend a little time sitting and playing on my phone or reading a book to give him more playtime!
Plus their closed circuit cameras let you watch the childcare area while you workout- really nice in the early days when he was adjusting to it.
pomelo / 5820 posts
@lemondrop: Haha!! I can see how it could be interpreted that way! Talk about multitasking
pomegranate / 3577 posts
I did go hiking this week with E snacking in the Ergo... It was tough on the nips!
I wish I had the energy to go. I have probably more motivation than energy. DH is highly encouraging (i.e. he'll take E for a few hours to let me go), but when E is up from about 3 am on...it makes it tough to prop my eyelids open, much less jog.
pear / 1664 posts
@lemondrop: @tlcbaby: ah, I feel so guilty to do that since she already goes to daycare all day while at work...
persimmon / 1035 posts
Not at all! i don't run but I use my stairmaster fairly often. I used to eat a lot oatmeal out of fear of my supply going down but I haven't ate any for a while and my supply has been the same through everything!
coconut / 8279 posts
I noticed a dip if I was really sweating but I also had to drink liquids by the gallon or I'd notice a dip as well.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
I started modified paleo & worked out daily at 4-5 months pp n never noticed a dip. I only noticed a dip around AF time!
grapefruit / 4800 posts
Drink a lot and eat when you're hungry. I started exercising at 3 weeks pp and when I was all healed up I still did some track workouts and kicked some @$$, so I got back to exercising fairly intensely - never noticed a dip in supply, LO nursed till she was 2.
nectarine / 2019 posts
My supply is super temperamental. Anytime I do anything like exercising, my supply had issues, even when I replenished calories and water. Pretty stinky.
pomelo / 5093 posts
@LazyLightning: I've started taking b downstairs to our guestroom while I ride my exercise bike. She has fun toys down there, and I get in some sweating while still hanging out with her. Highly recommended.
pear / 1664 posts
@sarac: I think that'll work really well when LO is a bit more predictable with her play. These days she might entertain herself for 5 min, or 45, and your guess is as good as mine which it'll be!
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