I Can't Lose Weight While Breastfeeding! ADVICE!!!

[cintinative]

I am no lactation person, and this probably won't help, but I want you to feel good about the fact you did lose the weight you gained from the pregnancy. That is very good!! So, now we are focusing on the other weight, right? Keep in mind that you are going to weigh more than "normal" because you are nursing. Especially if you have an abundant supply! Maybe only a couple pounds, but it's something. =)

On the sleep end, I know that getting sleep with a baby and other children is really really tough (I have a 2 and 4 year old), but lack of sleep can also cause your body to hold onto weight. This may not be the whole problem, but if you can figure out a way to get yourself at least eight hours a day, it would be interesting to see if that helps your energy and weight loss. Speaking as someone whose kids did not sleep through the night until after six months, I can definitely see how you might be rolling on the floor laughing at this suggestion right now! Anyway, that's my non-medical two cents! =)

[MelissaRaeCake]

Kelly, have you ever heard of the South Beach diet? I have lost 15 pounds since January 18 following the principles of this diet. Phase 1 is the first two weeks, and it is really strict, so I don't know if you should do it while nursing. Research it and then you can make a well-informed decision.

Phase 1 is basically no sugar, bread, pasta, corn, or fruit for 2 weeks. Lots of protein and veggies and low fat dairy. That "resets" your metabolism. It's not easy, but it works, so it is worth it! After those 2 weeks, you start phasing in whole grains and fruits slowly, so that weight loss will continue (though much slower).

I lost 10 pounds in those 2 weeks, and lost another 5 pounds in the month following.

You want to eat foods that are low on the glycemic index. I am pretty sure that Nutrisystem is built around this concept. You mentioned cereal for breakfast...I would recommend a higher protein breakfast like eggs or a no sugar added fruit smoothie with fat free yogurt and milk.

I gotta go, but would be happy to help you further!

[Girlinacage79]

Lack of sleep contributes to weight gain/not being able to lose weight also. And I have found that the older I get, the harder it is to lose weight. I had my first two at 19 and 21, and my second two at 28 and 30, and the pregnancies and post partum are so different. :)

You're doing such a great thing for your baby by nursing. :)

[mrsthrifty]

I feel your pain! I'm a nursing mom as well and the weight isn't dropping off like my mom always said hers did... Right after I had the baby I lost all the "baby weight" in a little over a week! Incredible weight drop without even trying (since I was recovering from C-section). But I am trying to exercise every day and am looking at Dr. Oz's tips for healthy eating (on his website). Trying to make sure I am not eating too many carbs through the day... i.e. cereal for bf, bread for lunch, potato or noodles at supper adds up to way to many carbs for losing weight. Dr Oz suggests eating the same healthy breakfast and lunch nearly every day and then mixing up your suppers. I think this will make my diet better/simpler and more easily managed... also trying to snack on almonds, carrots, celery or fruit instead of an easy carb... It is tough! I wish you luck!

[lazy1608]

Congrats on breastfeeding! It is such a nice bonding time. :) With both of my pregnancies at 35 and almost 40 (3 months ago), I only gained 5 pounds with both pregnancies. I had c -sections with both of them and lost over 35 pounds with both of them within a week or so after. I am too breastfeeding and supplementing! Keep up the hard work of losing weight. It is a constant battle with me especially since I also have thyroid issues. (thank goodness you don't though! ) :)

Don't give up and get discouraged. You can do it!

[KRP1981]

Thanks so much to all of you for your encouragement and advice!
I knew that I would get some great feedback on here and you gals didn't let me down!

After reading through, I have decided to do the following things:

1) Go to bed earlier to try to get more zzzzz's
2) Continue exercising regularly
3) Cut back on carbs; increase lean protein
4) Try to stress less; do something I enjoy each day to help alleviate my stress
5) Not beat myself up if I STILL don't see the weightloss I want for the next six months because I have something WAY more important to put my energy towards! If it has to be AFTER the baby is weaned then so be it.

I am happy that I lost the baby weight; what I didn't mention is that the year before I got pregnant I lost 22 pounds and felt really great about that. Then, when we decided to have another baby, I kinda got too relaxed about keeping the weight off, and then the holidays, and yadda yadda and then I'm pregnant, and 15 pounds heavier. :hectic1:

I really want to focus on being HEALTHY and active and I'm sure I'll lose the weight!

Thanks again for taking the time to respond!

[mnnice]

I found with both my kids that I lost the most weight between 12 and 18 months, and was at the skinniest of my adult life. Both my kids still nursed (and solid too) at that point and the both walked/ran and I spent lots of time trying to keep them from injurying themselves.

[talk2ham.1]

I'm afraid I am struggling with the same thing. My little guy is 13 1/2 mos old now and I'm still BFing. I have had some success lately by drinking tea, though. The extra fluids are good for the baby and me. And I find drinking tea curbs the boredom-snacking urges. I've had to be careful what kind of tea I use though. Some herbals can interfere with breastmilk production. Try a mama's milk herbal tea or something. www.kellymom.com has a great forum and has lists of all the herbal teas that are good or bad while BFing.

[norasmomma]

I could NOT, I repeat NOT lose weight nursing with my DD, I just could never lose that last 10-15lbs. I was pretty fat when nursing her, I look at pics and am like what the heck? I thought nursing just magically melted the weight off, well it doesn't not for everyone and I was one of those women

YK what made me lose it? The birth of my son, go figure. Seriously I gained only 16lbs with him, he weighed 8lbs9oz, I walked out of the hospital weighing the same as I did when I got pg, I have now lost that extra 10 lbs from DD's pregnancy. I'm older than you, so for me it's not age, I fully think there was some physical reason I never lost that weight.

I don't have any advice, I'm sorry I totally can commiserate, it happened to me.

[elizabethhouts]

I have actually gained weight since I have been breastfeeding my son. :( I always heard the wonders of it buring like 500-800 calories a day and all that but I am like a bottomless pit when it comes to food and I'm scared when he stops nursing I will gain a whole bunch of weight. Sorry I don't really have any advice, but I am interested in what others say. Good luck!