Breastfeeding and PP

[umsami]

Anybody know if it's OK to consume only 40 g carbs while breastfeeding? I'm assuming if I have adequate calories, protein, and fat, I'll be OK...

[lisaz8605]

I can't see why not. I think it's a trial & error thing based on your child, though. Go over to the LC Pregnancy and Parenting area and you'll see BFing threads...lots of women there can attest to LCing while BFing. (I did for only a week so I can't really help.) I may be biased, but I would think of all the plans out there, PP would be the best for BFing. Good luck!

[umsami]

Thanks very much Lisa. So far, so good.

[2piecegal]

I've low carbed while breastfeeding, and my children are extremely healthy. So am I! I am still nursing my 17 month old about 3 times a day, and I'm in deep ketosis at the moment. He doesn't seem to notice. Of course, every child is different, and I know some women who have said that low carbing affects their milk supply. In my case, there never seemed to be a difference, except that when I am low carbing I am invariably eating many more veggies and a lot more protein. That's good for the little guys, right? I mean, better than waffles and Hershey's Kisses!

[ruthla]

I think it comes down to a lot of common sense and listening to your body. If you find your milk supply or energy decreasing at 40g per day, then increase the carbs (from healthy sources like veggies and fruits and maybe some whole grains, not carbs from junk foods) until your milk is good and you feel energetic. I suspect that a poor diet (meaning a diet missing any nutrient that your body personally needs) will affect your own health and well being long before it affects your milk supply.

[black57]

After what I have learned about ketosis as treatment for children with epilepsy, I would say the lower the carbs the better. I think that ketones is important to an embryo's, fetus' and a child's diet. Up until last week, I would not have ever said this although I would encourage low carb.