Breastfeeding Mommies?

[DazzlingMa]

Hi ladies! :wave: This is my first post, just trying to work my way into getting involved. Wondering if there are any other BFing mommies here. If so, what plan are you on and how old is your little one?

I'm BFing a toddler, and kinda doing my own thing (just general low carb) that has worked well for me in the past.

Hope to get to know you all soon!

[Helen H]

Hi,

I'm finally finished breastfeeding, but did extended nursing on all three of time, and the last couple of years was low carb.

Welcome to the club.

[ruthla]

I didn't discover LC until after my youngest child weaned. I wish I'd discovered it when my 2nd was born- I probably wouldn't be carrying around this extra 40 lbs that, after a decade, my body is reluctant to part with!

[SlayerKat]

I'm breastfeeding a nearly 5 month old. I'm doing a general healthy eating approach. In the past I've suffered with various eating disorders (mostly binging and fasting) and I really know this is not safe or healthy for either me or my nursing baby. I'm slightly worried that when I stop breastfeeding I will return to my old ways and I'm going to try really hard to stop that from happening. In the meantime I'm happy with this approach and the weight seems to be coming off but not too fast (1-2lbs a week)

[Blenders]

I, too, am nursing a toddler (15 mos.). I started off doing a paleo type diet which allows for a bit more carbs. Now that DS is eating real food and nursing a bit less, I feel more comfortable doing a stricter version of Atkins and cutting back on my calories. So far, milk supply is still good. I find that I really need to watch my calories or else I can't lose weight. For the first 2 months while I was breastfeeding (before low-carb) I was actually GAINING weight. Breastfeeding, in itself, did not yield any weight loss for me.

[SlayerKat]

Breastfeeding, in itself, did not yield any weight loss for me. This is happening to me too. I really want to lose weight but also really want to keep nursing ho hum

[adukart]

My baby is 3 months old. I have lost only 3 pounds since the delivery and I gain and lose those in a day. I am just starting back on CAD but would love to have some online friends that are also BFing.

[algts]

Hi there, I am bf my 7-month-old and pumping at work 3 nights a week. I think it has helped to lose weight, but then I have been so busy that I have not really been cooking which has lead to too much processed (read:carbs) foods, so I actually have gained 13 lbs. I am hoping to get back to a more low-carb llifestyly. I have been trying to feed the baby mostly veggies, meats then fruits/carbs.

by the way, she still does not like formula--I have tried about 3 different bottles over the last few months with the samplels I have just to see.

[wbethin]

I am bfing my 14 mo. old.

Blenders- I had the same bfing problem! Lost all 30 lbs at birth, gained all back plus some during the first couple of months bfing.....then began LC. Now kick myself for not starting sooner.

[canucksrus]

Blenders- I had the same bfing problem! Lost all 30 lbs at birth, gained all back plus some during the first couple of months bfing.....then began LC. Now kick myself for not starting sooner.
Ditto for me. I'm now nursing #3 and this is the 3rd time this has happened. When I was pg (because I gain very little WHILE pg) I would tell people that my gain would come afterwards when nursing and the ones who didn't know me with my 1st two didn't believe me. Sadly they do now.

I'm not making the mistake of waiting to finish nursing before I resume LC this time tho....just wish I had started right after delivery, but Miss Fussy Pants/Cluster Eater barely let me put her down to pee/shower/brush teeth, so making healthy meals was completely out of the question. She's not much better now, but crying for a few mins./day isn't going to kill her either.

[mknov]

HI everyone!! :wave:
I'm a mom to baby aged 19 months! Wow, how did he get so fast! One minute a baby the next an Olympic sprinter! :) We also are still nursing, hoping to make it to 2 years. Like all of you guys, I am doing better on Atkins, LC than anything I have tried. Exercise, low fat, low cal (yeah, that was fun while trying to nurse, WTH was I thinkin!) none of it really worked. Since starting Atkins I'm down a good 8 pounds! In a little over three weeks! Wow! I hope it keeps on coming off this easy, knock on wood. I too wish I had started this months ago, I've been seriously miserable. My husband is a slim good lookin guy and I feel so dumpy when we go out together. Though he's usually carrying our son in an Ergo carrier so thankfully he's not too interested in what other people think! :)
I'm so glad to have other nursing mamas to chat with while doing Atkins! On that note....here's a question--Has anyone who's doing or done Atkins induction, have you had a hard time curbing the sweet craving? I've been battling it with a bit too much sweetened (splenda) cream and am trying not to but...oh, I need something yummy! :) And sometimes Jello just doesn't hit the spot, even after two or three cups ;)
I'm thinking of trying the Lcarnitine but wonder if it's ok while nursing?? Anyone know??

Thanks again and hope to hear back sometime! :)

mknov

[Helen H]

Anything that is a food supplement is fine. L-carnitine is an amino acid, so go for it. Personally, I find cream cheese or bacon kills sweet cravings.

[keirabella]

I'm breastfedding my 1 month old son as well, I had a hectic pregnancy with nausea and migraines instead of gaining I lost 15 lbs then after delivery I lost 10 more ..it's been a month or so and I gain 5 pounds back .grhhh!! I have cravings now of chocolate and that's when I decided it's time to go back to LC..
I am starting going tothe gym too. Do you think is ok going LC while nursing??

[Helen H]

Absolutely. Ketones don't pass into breastmilk, and exercise is fine. It wasn't too long ago that bf women didn't have any choice about exercise, it wasn't optional, it was part of life.

[Kittenann]

It is sooo nice to see so many of you doing LC and extended BFing. :thup: I wish that I had done that. Instead I BF for 3 yrs then started LCing again. I think that if I had never stopped LCing, I would have had alot less brain fog(hormones?) and a lot less weight gain while BFing.

Enjoy this time in your life with the little ones and keep up the great work.

[mknov]

Right on Kittenann! :agree:
I am feeling so good from doing Atkins, I SOOOOO wish I had started this sooner. I could've had more energy for my son but am glad that I've finally found a way to feel better! Also, I haven't noticed any negative side effects in my milk since starting. If anything my son has been nursing a bit more because I'm more relaxed and have been drinking twice as much water. He's lovin' it! Plus mommy being happier always makes things better too! :) As I read on one site (probably this one, I'm sure lots of us ladies know this) but, at countless points in history BF mothers HAD no choice but to burn only fat to survive---so why should that at all affect the quality of our milk?? If anything that's exactly what our bodies know how to do! Right?!
Also, and with this I will stop rambling, but why the heck don't more doctors (esp OB's) inform patients about the effectiveness of Atkins?? When I went in for a checkup a few months ago, my OB suggested ONLY WW as a way to diet effectively while nursing. I had previously and lost nothing--I was always hungry and snacking! There was no mention of low carb dieting. I think more women, esp nursing moms, should know that LC is a great way to lose weight, eat well, feel better, have more energy, and still maintain a healthy nursing relationship with their babies and toddlers. Just my two cents :)


Best of luck everyone!~ :wave:
mknov

[keirabella]

I am glad you are doing ok on Atkins .. I have been reading about dieting and breastfeeding , so I have decided to do a my own low-carb version .I already drink lots of water so that is no problem and I already started some exercise activities hope it works ..

Please , nursing mommies keep posting here to keep track of our plans and also for support !! :agree:

have a great weekend :)

[SlayerKat]

I'm still nursing (baby nearly 7 months) but have started to introduce solids so I'm expecting to cut back on the nursing around now. Not sure what will happen with regards my weight. I've dropped over 3 stone (about 40lbs I think) but that is also via LCing AND a great deal of exercise. I would not have dropped that much through nursing alone. I just eat tonnes of fruit and drink water all day because I cut my portion sizes right down but I don't want my baby to suffer because I'm eating less calories. He seems totally well though so I'm not worried. I'm really hoping actually that when he stops nursing the weight will fall off even more! I think I seem to be one of those types that holds onto fat whilst nursing as discussed earlier in this thread! I never even realised that happened to other mums I assumed it was just me being weird! but nice to know actually that I'm not the only one this happens to (this has happened with my other two babies as well) I'm normal after all ;)

[Fitmamajen]

Hi mamas!
I am nursing an 8 mo old. I do paleo-ish/traditional foods (for me that means-meat, fat, broth, liver, produce, nuts, honey cod liver oil and butter) I eat moderately low-carb (probably 80-90 a day?) because since I have been nursing I feel depressed if I go really low. Since I am a PPD/PPP survivor I am not going to mess with my mental wellness for a few pounds.

I have weighed the same since she was 9 weeks old. I lost almost all the weight fast (I ate about the same during pregnancy too and gained about 35-40 pounds). These last few pounds are sticking, but I have just started seriously working out doing crossfit and HIIT so we will see what happens. I will at least gain muscle and fitness!

My goal is to nurse for at least a year. I wanted to BF 2 years but it is really wearing me out...or maybe it is that she is still nursing 4x + a night!

[Helen H]

My goal is to nurse for at least a year. I wanted to BF 2 years but it is really wearing me out...or maybe it is that she is still nursing 4x + a night!

I'd say it's the night nursing. Once those reduce, you'll find you feel much better, and can cope with extended breastfeeding if you want. My own personal feeling was that the longer I did it, the easier it got, so I ended up doing it for years.

[ilbagel]

Hi, I'm new to the LC thing. I am working on doing Atkins but I'm afraid of my milk supply dropping too much. I have a 7 month old daughter and I am also working on pumping in my spare time to donate my milk to a little girl who can't tolerate formula. I too tried WW but I was ALWAYS hungry. Go ahead and try to tell a nursing mom to cut back her portions! I had never known hunger before nursing, that's for sure! Now that DD is nursing less and eating more solids I am feeling more comfortable with the idea of losing weight. I am relieved to see that so many of you are able to do Atkins and maintain milk supply levels. I lost some weight already but then my daughter was in the hospital for a couple days (she has a heart problem) changing her medication so I was at the mercy of hospital food. So today I am back on the wagon. The hardest thing for me to give up though is my cereal addiction! Anyone else find that habit hard to break? If so, what did you replace it with?

[Helen H]

Go for something really high fat, bacon or cream cheese. That tastes good and fills that hungry feeling. Totally remember that "If you don't feed me, I will kill and eat you," feeling. I used to be vegetarian until I started breastfeeding, and suddenly my vegetarian husband had to cope with me wanting meat four times a day.

[Fitmamajen]

I'd say it's the night nursing. Once those reduce, you'll find you feel much better, and can cope with extended breastfeeding if you want. My own personal feeling was that the longer I did it, the easier it got, so I ended up doing it for years.

I do think it is the night wakings that are wearing me out. She seems to be settling a little more lately and I feel like I can keep going. She is 9 mos today!

About being really hungry--Make sure your are getting enough fluids--broths, mothers tea, water ect. That helps me plus staying hydrated is important for milk supply from what I understand.

[Annevt]

I am breastfeeding a 15 month toddler and doing induction (extended). We don't have problems, although she gets most of her nutrients from food and nurses mostly for comfort. Low carb and breastfeeding work for me! Keep up the Good Work!

[ilbagel]

Water drinking is not a problem for me. I have a 32 ounce water bottle and I drink at least 3 of those a day. I have always been a big water drinker and from the time I got pregnant I can't get enough. It's a good thing but kind of annoying because I am miserable if I go somewhere and forget my bottle!! Thanks for the advice. Next time the cereal craving hits I'll be sure to try some cream cheese. I love cream cheese... especially on bagels. Sigh. :)

[jbnchris]

I am going to be starting low carb soon. My daughter is 3 weeks old now and after her 1 month check up if all goes well I hope to start a not so strict but definitely low carb diet. I am glad that there are a lot of mom's here that are in the same situation. I have about 30 pounds of prego weight to lose and do not want to waste any time going about it.

[mknov]

Good Luck and hope you find a good balance for you and baby. And make sure you're kind to yourself too, you're still recovering from birth, let hubby pick up the slack a little bit and get plenty of rest if you're gonna start dieting. I know that for me personally at three weeks I was battling PPAD and low milk supply and severe lack of sleep so my weight took a definite back seat to all the other issues. If you'd like some unsolicited advice :) I would be careful and watch and make sure your diet doesn't compromise the amount of milk baby is getting, esp if you're exclusively BF, other BF goals you may have. Make sure you get plenty of calories and drink LOTS of water too as I'm sure you know :) Best of luck to you, happy LCing! :)

mknov

[dustbunny]

I'm mainly pumping and hardly getting anything now. I started doing this because he usually screams at the boob now. I hope what I do have left that my lowcarbing won't affect :(. Mothersmilk and fenugreek aren't helping much!

[Helen H]

Your best bet is to nurse him directly. No pump is going to work as well as a hungry baby, and pumping rather than nursing is a good way to reduce your supply. If he fusses a lot at the breast, try taking him into bed with you, and just let him nurse as and when he wants. Make sure there are no distractions and he'll get on with it eventually.

I was never able to pump more than an ounce or two, but I was able to feed a newborn and a toddler at the same time, and the toddler assured me there was "lots and lots of milk,"

[ilbagel]

My daughter went through a phase for about 2 weeks where she refused to nurse and I got a contact nipple shield and used that and she thought it was like a bottle and she took it just fine. You might try one. They're like $6 at Target.

[algts]

I'm mainly pumping and hardly getting anything now. I started doing this because he usually screams at the boob now. I hope what I do have left that my lowcarbing won't affect :(. Mothersmilk and fenugreek aren't helping much!

I am sorry you're having so much trouble. May I ask about the pump you are using?Here are some useful articles.

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/hindrances.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/breastpumpingtips.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/library.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/working.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/working.html (http://)

http://lactinv.com/breastfeeding_qna.php?article=5_pillars_of_health (http://)

http://medelabreastfeedingus.com/ (http://)

http://www.workandpump.com/gettingstarted.htm (http://)

http://www.amedaonline.com/ (http://)

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=c_health/9020 (http://)

http://www.deleons.com/Pumping_info/index.htm (http://)

[dustbunny]

Your best bet is to nurse him directly. No pump is going to work as well as a hungry baby, and pumping rather than nursing is a good way to reduce your supply. If he fusses a lot at the breast, try taking him into bed with you, and just let him nurse as and when he wants. Make sure there are no distractions and he'll get on with it eventually.

I was never able to pump more than an ounce or two, but I was able to feed a newborn and a toddler at the same time, and the toddler assured me there was "lots and lots of milk,"

Even after nursing him for an hour I still have to give him a bottle because he's so hungry :(. I'm not as lucky as a lot of other women.

I think the most I've ever pumped was 4 oz both breast combined and that was lucky. I'm pretty sure I'm close to drying up now.

[dustbunny]

My daughter went through a phase for about 2 weeks where she refused to nurse and I got a contact nipple shield and used that and she thought it was like a bottle and she took it just fine. You might try one. They're like $6 at Target.

Yeah, I have one of those too. I've tried everything lol I've been so desperate.

[dustbunny]

I am sorry you're having so much trouble. May I ask about the pump you are using?Here are some useful articles.

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/hindrances.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/breastpumpingtips.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/library.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/working.html (http://)

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/working.html (http://)

http://lactinv.com/breastfeeding_qna.php?article=5_pillars_of_health (http://)

http://medelabreastfeedingus.com/ (http://)

http://www.workandpump.com/gettingstarted.htm (http://)

http://www.amedaonline.com/ (http://)

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=c_health/9020 (http://)

http://www.deleons.com/Pumping_info/index.htm (http://)


Well at first I had a playtex dual pump but now I've been using the Medela harmony manual pump. Oh what I'd do for an overactive letdown haha.

[ilbagel]

I'm so sorry you're having such troubles! I know I was heartbroken when my daughter went through her phase. I really hope you can get this worked out. But try not to get discouraged by what you can pump really because I can barely pump 4 ounces with my Medela pump but my daughter is almost 8 months and is obviously getting plenty. I know your baby is still hungry after nursing just don't let the pumped amount get to you. I really hope it gets better for you! Have you called a lactation consultant to see if they would have any better advice?

[clavicula]

:wave:Here I am tandem nursing a 19 month old and a 4 week old! :lol:

[Helen H]

:wave:Here I am tandem nursing a 19 month old and a 4 week old! :lol:

Way to go! Good luck. See if your toddler notices any differences in the milk from side to side?

[sondacop]

Hello threaders!
I have been Atkinsing for 4 yrs, reached my goal weight and I am now pg, during which I add some fruit and whole grain bread. I don’t think I gained much body fat, I will know more after my c-section in 3 weeks. I am planning to BF, and after reading this forum I have been convinced that the most important way to BF and LC is to have food prepared. So recently I have been cooking and freezing lot of different types of meat. I hope I have drawn the right conclusions from your collective experiences and will be successful with this double commitment.
Thank You!

[Helen H]

Good luck. Yes, I think having lots of food prepared is the only way to go, no matter what way you plan to feed. With the new guidelines about bottles, I think bottle feeding will no longer be seen as the easy option.

[algts]

Good luck. Yes, I think having lots of food prepared is the only way to go, no matter what way you plan to feed. With the new guidelines about bottles, I think bottle feeding will no longer be seen as the easy option.

Not to mention the melamine and cleaning chemicals in formula, even made in the USA. Best wishes for the upcoming birth!

[wbethin]

Mamajen I feel your pain!!!! My 16 month old has just started to ease back into sleeping okay at night (by that I mean he now wakes up only once). He slept all night for about a week, then came teething (one after another, and sometimes more than one tooth at a time), separation anxiety, then standing, walking, talking, and last month ..... climbing. He may not be exausted but I am! I've started not alowing him to fall asleep while breastfeeding (when he was a baby, he'd fall asleep all the time and I couldn't wake him up)instead feed him then rock or whatever hime to sleep changing how he goes to sleep almost every night, its made things a whole lot easier..... I read you have to do this at naps and bedtime for 10 days afterwich you can start to place him or her in their bed (instead of your arms) if he or she wakes at night however, go about your regular routine (if u bf then bf, bottle then bottle).

He was waking up like three times about 6 days ago, and like I said he's down to 1 now. But if you don't have this problem and yours wakes at the same time every night I'd try scheduled awakenings. Its tearless!!!! You just wake the child up 15-30 mins earlier for about 2 nights, then increase by 15 min incremints every couple of days 'till all wakes are phased out. Hope these help........ good luck getting back to the recommended 8 hrs per night! sorry this was so long :(