I felt like I was dying!

[Chadswife]

I pray someone can give me some advice and or info on what may have happened, but on June 15th, I decided to start induction. I was fine throughout day and had no carb cravings. But on June 16th, I felt like all hell broke loose.

When I woke up in the morning, I thought I was dying. My heart felt like it was beating out of chest and I could feel every single beat (even though my blood pressure was only 106/60 and my pulse was only 80). I was so exhausted and weak. I have a 6 month old baby, and I was terrified because my husband was at work and I was alone with my 2 kids and stepson.

My 9 year old boy is super mature and helpful, so I knew I had to try to make my way to his room. I went into his room (I barely made it! I felt like I needed to just lie down on the floor and sleep) and woke him up and asked him to take his baby sister and watch her for a while because I couldn’t sit up long enough to deal with her. I was so scared and exhausted that I could not sleep even after my son took my baby.

He brought me a huge glass of water and a cereal bar (NOT low carb). After about 20 minutes of eating the cereal bar, my voice picked up and I felt nearly normal.

I don’t know what happened. I felt like I had diabetes, but I know I don’t because I just had a bunch of lab tests done to check for that because my blood pressure had been going up after I had my daughter. I have been really stressed out about school and family, so as a result; I stay really late, and that morning, I went to bed at 5am and my daughter woke me up at about 8. Ok, I know it sounds like, “duh, you were tired”, but I’ve had 2 or 3 hours of sleep before and never felt so tired that I had the desire to fall asleep on the floor between bedrooms. I could hardly walk or sit up for man than a few minutes. I felt physically devastated.

Please give me any insight you may have. Also, I am breastfeeding, so I don’t know if my body reacted that way because the little carbs I was eating just wasn’t enough for me and my baby too. I don’t know if my stresses are causing me to deplete my carbs faster, if it was that my body didn’t have enough carbs to energize my body with so little sleep. It was scary. I was so sleep that I thought if I went to sleep, I may not wake up. I never felt anything like this in my life.

[Didy]

Are you on blood pressure meds? Some blood pressure meds are potassium depleting and induction can cause you to lose a lot of potassium as well. Also, have you had your thyroid checked? Free T3 and Free T4 levels as well as the TSH?

I've never experienced anything as severe as this, but I do know that when I'm a bit low in the potassium i will get irregular heart beats, aching/weak muscles. If you are having blood pressure problems, definitely talk to the doctor about what happened to you - w/out the info, the doctor can't help.

Good luck and be safe!

[capmikee]

That sounds scary! I can't really guess what was happening - it sounds like something was crashing, maybe blood sugar, maybe some kind of withdrawal symptom.

A couple days after the birth of our first daughter, my wife was trying to breastfeed and she got extremely tired. She also felt extremely cold. We rushed her to the emergency room, but they didn't seem to know what to do with her. At some point I ran out and got her a bowl of meat chili from the cafeteria. We were near-vegetarian at the time and were not doing low-carb, but the midwife had recommended she eat lots of protein and we had read the Brewer book. She seemed to perk up a bit after the chili, but it was a terrifying experience.

[Chadswife]

Are you on blood pressure meds? Some blood pressure meds are potassium depleting and induction can cause you to lose a lot of potassium as well.


Thank you, yes I am on a beta blocker for blood pressure spikes. 12 1/2mg to 25mg a day(depending on how my bp is behaving) of Atenolol.

Thanks for your advice. I will check my thyroids because my sister got her thyroids checked and even though they say she is fine, she insists her thyroids are giving her problems and she complains of disabling fatigue; her wasn’t not as bad as mine though.

[Cajunboy47]

If I was a breast feeding mother who was on medication for blood pressure and I was restricting nutrional intake so I could lose weight, I think I'd stop breast feeding.... That's just my personal feelings, as I see that as child neglect in an indirect way.....

[fatnewmom]

The atenolol.... isn't the blood pressure you reported a little low (106/60)? Perhaps you were hypotensive due to the medication (and exhaustion), hypoglycemic, or having a weird heart rhythm. It seems a little strange to take a variable dose of atenolol, and perhaps the higher dose is a bit too much for you. Fatigue and dizziness are side effects of this drug. Please call your doc!!!

[fatnewmom]

If I was a breast feeding mother who was on medication for blood pressure and I was restricting nutrional intake so I could lose weight, I think I'd stop breast feeding.... That's just my personal feelings, as I see that as child neglect in an indirect way.....

I don't get this comment.

However, I have seen that atenolol is not recommended while breastfeeding (many sources report this).

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

I am so sorry that you had these frightening symptoms, and can imagine how upsetting it was for you when you've a young baby to care for.

I think that staying up late and not eating enough might be one of the problems. I know it isn't always easy because of circumstances, but where possible, try to remember that accidents and errors of judgement can take place when someone is tired, so you need to take extra good care of yourself while your children are young. Dr. Atkins actually says in the book that staying up late will sabotage your diet. For one thing, the body will work more effectively (including regularising blood sugar and burning fat) if it's rested. Additionally, everyone gets "the munchies" when they stay up late, though perhaps in your case, because you're dieting, you resisted eating, so your blood sugar dropped instead. I'd suggest earlier nights and a fatty snack like cheese before bed, but if you find that it happens again, despite that, then it might be advisable to buy a blood sugar monitor to see what's happening - they're very inexpensive, and you can get them easily online.

Make sure that you're getting enough calories for a breast feeding mother. I used MY PLAN to work mine out when I started the diet, and I've found it invaluable.

Dr. Atkins says that if you have adverse symptoms during induction, you should up your carbs (by adding more veggies). Given that you're breast feeding, I think you should ditch induction immediately, and go onto OWL, adding more of the recommended veggies during the day - plenty of leafy green veggies, for example. Remember when you're doing this diet, it's better to keep to clean whole foods. Some people think you shouldn't do a ketogenic diet when you're breast-feeding, but there's only one way to lose weight and that's by burning body fat, and most mums lose weight after they give birth with the babies being none the worse for wear, so I am sure that as long as you use your common sense and aim for a slow weight-loss, then it should be fine. Here are links to discussion threads on the subject of low-carbing and breast feeding:

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/women-s-health/544812-breastfeeding.html

https://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/archive/index.php/t-520341.html

I think you should also look into the other advice in this thread, because there might be more than one issue involved here. For example, I've heard of people having to stop blood pressure medication after starting on the Atkins diet. Therefore, check out all the possibilities.

I hope that some of this makes sense and is useful. Whatever you do, don't give up on the diet and try low-fat diet instead. That isn't good for the baby. Best of luck with your weight-loss progress.

[Didy]

After doing a quick search on the drug you are taking, I would make sure to put in a call to your doctor about everything that happened to you. It appears that this drug may not do well w/ Atkins (messes w/ potassium too much, etc...),and right now, you really need to focus on eating the right foods to produce the best possible milk for your little one.

Also, you may advise your sister to check out postpartum thyroiditis. She may need to have her antibodies tested. My daughter discovered she had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis 6 months after her son was born and she had all of those symptoms too.

Please, please take the advice of those who recommend a call in to the doctor today, okay? Your health is waaaayy too important and your kids need you to be feeling good too!! :)

[capmikee]

I don't know much about beta-blockers, but it's very common for your response to medications to change when you switch to low-carb. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a lower dose or take you off completely.

[girlbug2]

If any of that had to do with low potassium, it would be easily solved by eating an avocado or sme other potassium rich foods every day. Or taking a supplement.

Frankly in 7 years of lowcarbing I have never heard of symptoms like this and I'm inclined to believe its more to do with your meds than the diet itself.

[Arcane]

It sounds to me like you had a panic attack...

[Nancy LC]

Sounds like low blood sugar, which could possibly trigger a panic attack.

If it is low blood sugar then you really do need a LC diet, but adjust the carbs down a little slower rather than full blown induction until your body gets used to the lower carbs.

[mike_d]

The atenolol.... isn't the blood pressure you reported a little low (106/60)? I take atenolol 25 mg too. Sometimes mine gets to 109/60 and I feel tired or a bit dizzy if I bend over then stand up. So I stop taking it for a day or so. I don't know what the lower level is for BP it may vary? I had heart 'thumps' or palpitations during induction [in the mornings or shortly after a meal]-- they stopped after supplementing minerals including potassium. Your case sounds different though? I agree see a Dr.

BTW: I thought 25 mg was the smallest pill, ill have to "ask your Doctor" about the 12.5's thanks.

[NixCarbos]

I dunno about the blood pressure. Mine is typically around 100/60 or so.. sometimes a little lower.

I'm with Nancy on this one. Sounds like low blood sugar. If you are breastfeeding on top of dieting, you may not be eating enough calories or carbs to sustain the diet.

I would continue breastfeeding and up your carbs.

Also talk with your DR about the meds you are on. One of the other posters makes a good point, and you may not need them being on a LC diet?

[Chadswife]

If I was a breast feeding mother who was on medication for blood pressure and I was restricting nutrional intake so I could lose weight, I think I'd stop breast feeding.... That's just my personal feelings, as I see that as child neglect in an indirect way.....


Before you make such a strong statement, please ASK ME the FACTS FIRST! HOW DARE YOU!

1st! I am under my doctor AND pediatricians STRICT care while on my 1 med per day AND while losing weight. 2nd! I am an EXCELLENT PARENT, as well as LAW ABIDING citizen. SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR IGNORANT, SLANDEROUS STATEMENT!

I don't make any "stupid" or "unsure" decisions without consulting PROFESSIONALS! Get a life and focus on your weight loss instead discouraging those who want and need help! You don’t have a right to judge someone and KNOCK someone down before you know what is going on. YOU MADE THIS FORUM SO UNSUSEFUL FOR ME. I hope you shut your trap so you don’t run anyone else off. I don’t need this. I have been through enough REAL issues in my life to deal with you and you jealousy or prejudice? But you are sickening to me!

*********

For others who may be concerned, but not as judgmental or rude, it makes sense for me to let you know that my medication, due to the small dose, was approved by my doctor as well as my daughter’s doctor, AS WELL AS a lactation nurse. I'd never jeopardized my children’s safety or anyone else’s.

As far as Atkins, my daughters doctor as well as my doctor () stated that as long as I did not stop eating my vegetables and as long as I continued to take my prenatal, they both seen NO HARM in it. Like both doctors said, the most harm I could cause, if any would be to myself because my body will start ME before it takes nutrition from my breast milk. Especially since I noted in my introduction that I am finally able to start Atkins because my daughter is finally 6 months and eating her own food now. My breast feeding is now supplemental and comfort as opposed to before, when it was her sole means of nutrition.

I didn't come here to be attacked by someone, who probably judged me based on my picture, and is completely ignorant of facts. I am sorry if I offended any others by my response to the person who attacked my character, but I take that EXTREMELY serious, and although this is an online forum, what was said was damaging and without basis or fact.

But thank you to all of you who wanted to help and not judge without fact. Thank you.

[Cajunboy47]

Before you make such a strong statement, please ASK ME the FACTS FIRST! HOW DARE YOU!

1st! I am under my doctor AND pediatricians STRICT care while on my 1 med per day AND while losing weight. 2nd! I am an EXCELLENT PARENT, as well as LAW ABIDING citizen. SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR IGNORANT, SLANDEROUS STATEMENT!

I don't make any "stupid" or "unsure" decisions without consulting PROFESSIONALS! Get a life and focus on your weight loss instead discouraging those who want and need help! You don’t have a right to judge someone and KNOCK someone down before you know what is going on. YOU MADE THIS FORUM SO UNSUSEFUL FOR ME. I hope you shut your trap so you don’t run anyone else off. I don’t need this. I have been through enough REAL issues in my life to deal with you and you jealousy or prejudice? But you are sickening to me!

*********

For others who may be concerned, but not as judgmental or rude, it makes sense for me to let you know that my medication, due to the small dose, was approved by my doctor as well as my daughter’s doctor, AS WELL AS a lactation nurse. I'd never jeopardized my children’s safety or anyone else’s.

As far as Atkins, my daughters doctor as well as my doctor () stated that as long as I did not stop eating my vegetables and as long as I continued to take my prenatal, they both seen NO HARM in it. Like both doctors said, the most harm I could cause, if any would be to myself because my body will start ME before it takes nutrition from my breast milk. Especially since I noted in my introduction that I am finally able to start Atkins because my daughter is finally 6 months and eating her own food now. My breast feeding is now supplemental and comfort as opposed to before, when it was her sole means of nutrition.

I didn't come here to be attacked by someone, who probably judged me based on my picture, and is completely ignorant of facts. I am sorry if I offended any others by my response to the person who attacked my character, but I take that EXTREMELY serious, and although this is an online forum, what was said was damaging and without basis or fact.

But thank you to all of you who wanted to help and not judge without fact. Thank you.

My comment was based on your words in your first post.... If you had clarified yourself as you now have done, perhaps I would not have been so offended by what I saw as a disregard about your child and I would not have been moved to express my feelings....

I'm the kind of person who when walking in a crowd and sees a parent slap a child, I will call that parent out and put an immediate stop to the abuse. On the internet, this is not as clearly visible, but if you go back and read your first post, you might see how I had my first impression. I think I spoke about my feelings, which are purely my feelings and I do have the feedom to express myself. I did not attack you personally, although I can understand how you might feel this way since you feel you're doing everything properly. I simply said that given the circumstances that I saw you were stating as being in existence, I would not be doing the same thing........

I apologize for our misunderstanding of each other and I'm glad you are following Doctor's advice.

I still feel, I'd not breast feed, as I'd prefer to err on the side of caution, based on my experiences that Doctor's don't always give the best advice and we're always the ones who have to live with the consequences....

I wish you well... I am not offended by what you think is an attack on me. I hope you just don't carry ill will towards me as that can harm your health also.

[fatnewmom]

Cajun boy probably doesn't know that, 1) breastfeeding is not contraindicated during dieting, and 2) most drugs are not recommended during breastfeeding, but some are still prescribed if they are necessary for the mother's health AND have never been shown to directly harm a baby. Most risks are simply theoretical. So in no way could continuing to breastfeed be equated with "abuse". There may be other beta blockers that would be recommended over atenolol for a breastfeeding woman, but the doc looked at all of her factors and prescribed the best drug for her particular situation. Breastfeeding is so important to both the infant and mother, that it should never be recommended against except for extreme situations.

It's still important for the doc to know of your experience, Chadswife. This information will help him/her better manage your treatment, and make adjustments to dosing or drug if needed. If your blood pressure normally runs high, a huge drop can cause symptoms like you describe. Other things mentioned on this board are also of concern, such as hypoglycemia, arrhythmia, a thyroid condition, or a possible panic attack. Or maybe it was nothing special. But it's important for your doc to know.

I agree with others, what you experienced was not attributable to low carbing alone.

[Chadswife]

Cajun boy probably doesn't know that, 1) breastfeeding is not contraindicated during dieting, and 2) most drugs are not recommended during breastfeeding, but some are still prescribed if they are necessary for the mother's health AND have never been shown to directly harm a baby. Most risks are simply theoretical. So in no way could continuing to breastfeed be equated with "abuse". There may be other beta blockers that would be recommended over Atenolol for a breastfeeding woman, but the doc looked at all of her factors and prescribed the best drug for her particular situation. Breastfeeding is so important to both the infant and mother, that it should never be recommended against except for extreme situations.

It's still important for the doc to know of your experience, Chadswife. This information will help him/her better manage your treatment, and make adjustments to dosing or drug if needed. If your blood pressure normally runs high, a huge drop can cause symptoms like you describe. Other things mentioned on this board are also of concern, such as hypoglycemia, arrhythmia, a thyroid condition, or a possible panic attack. Or maybe it was nothing special. But it's important for your doc to know.

I agree with others, what you experienced was not attributable to low carbing alone.


Thank you so much! This was so needed after such a harsh comment that left me a bit lost in “what to do now”. I have never heard someone tell me to stop breast feeding, as it a wonderful way to start a baby off in life, when possible.

You are correct about the medication. My doctor stated that clinical testing on Atenolol started at 50mg and showed no adverse affects on a breastfeeding baby, although the possibility could not be ruled out as traces can pass through milk. This is why my doctor, as well as my baby's pediatrician, both agreed that 25mg or less should not be an issue and the risk of me not taking it outweighed the risk of taking it while breastfeeding.

Also, I am only 5'1 but I weigh 170 lbs. I understand I can't try to lose 50 lbs in a few months but I have to lose something because I know it is not healthy for me to be this size. I am not trying to be “skinny” or anything, I just want to be healthy because I have 2 children I have to raise.

I appreciate your advice and wonderful insight.

Thank you.

[Chadswife]

Thank you, everyone who gave me such wonderful advice. I really appreciate it! After all of the good advice and speaking to my doctor, I decided NOT to give up, but rather, stop Atkins and do a "general" low carb lifestyle that does not include sugar or starch and I do not have to measure my vegetables. I think this will be much better too. I don't know much about doing low carbs unless it is Atkins, but I know there is so much information on this website, so I will start here.

Thank you all for your support.

[fatnewmom]

The South Beach diet may be for you! Check it out.

[Yocheerioh]

Hi Chadswife,
Here are my thoughts for you. Your body is going through a tremendous amount of stress right now. You just had a baby, are breastfeeding and your body needs all the nutrients it can get. The breastfeeding alone depletes your body of so many calories that if you continue to breastfeed, you'll probably drop the weight from that alone. It may not be a good time for you to try such a restrictive diet. I would suggest that you wait until you wean your baby and get your hormones back to normal. You have another six months before that happens. I hope this helps you understand what may have taken place and I hope you're feeling better now. God Bless!

[twixcookie]

Blood pressure spikes can be caused by diabetes, insulin resistance, renal artery stenosis, pheochromocytoma (adrenal mass). Your doc can rule these out with an MR and labs.

Sometimes, if you have hypertension, it can just spike, but I'd stay on it. If your doctor lives close, ask them if you can drop in weekly and get your BP taken.

[twixcookie]

Cajun boy probably doesn't know that, 1) breastfeeding is not contraindicated during dieting, and 2) most drugs are not recommended during breastfeeding, but some are still prescribed if they are necessary for the mother's health AND have never been shown to directly harm a baby. Most risks are simply theoretical. So in no way could continuing to breastfeed be equated with "abuse". There may be other beta blockers that would be recommended over atenolol for a breastfeeding woman, but the doc looked at all of her factors and prescribed the best drug for her particular situation. Breastfeeding is so important to both the infant and mother, that it should never be recommended against except for extreme situations.

It's still important for the doc to know of your experience, Chadswife. This information will help him/her better manage your treatment, and make adjustments to dosing or drug if needed. If your blood pressure normally runs high, a huge drop can cause symptoms like you describe. Other things mentioned on this board are also of concern, such as hypoglycemia, arrhythmia, a thyroid condition, or a possible panic attack. Or maybe it was nothing special. But it's important for your doc to know.

I agree with others, what you experienced was not attributable to low carbing alone.


Actually, a mother needs her fat stores to help produce milk. It is nature's way, and that is one of the reasons mothers gain weight during pregnancy.
It might be easier on someone if they eat a good diet, a larger amount of calories are indicated when lactating, than even during pregnancy.

She needs the calories to produce the milk.

Usually, women only breastfeed a few months and then go to the bottle anyway, so there is no real hurry to lose weight. I think society pressures women in this way, they see all the movie stars who are slim in 2 months after delivering...

I work in medicine...

[fatnewmom]

She can do both simultaneously; she has reserves, and can lose weight gradually while also producing milk. She is already receiving medical supervision.

[twixcookie]

She can do both simultaneously; she has reserves, and can lose weight gradually while also producing milk. She is already receiving medical supervision.


But the fat reserves are for lactation. They aren't for the pregnancy.
Babies are small for such a short time. It is much better to care for the baby and give it a great start than to worry about one's looks like that. There will be plenty of time to lose weight!! :)

[Suzien]

I had a similar experience the other night. I woke up feeling freezing cold even though it was a warm night and my heart was pounding. I had already been advised on this forum that my magnesium levels might be bad because I was tired all the time.

I checked on the internet:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm.
The site states that a deficiency of magnesium may cause the following:

Early symptoms:

Anorexia (not sure that one applies to us LC-ers)
Apathy
Confusion
Fatigue
Insomnia
Irritability
Muscle twitching
Poor memory
Reduced ability to learn

Moderate deficiency symptoms:

Heart (cardiovascular) changes
Rapid heartbeat

Severe deficiency:

Continued muscle contraction
Delirium
Numbness
Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
Tingling

I have been taking one 500mg Magnesium orotate tablet for three days and my fatigue has gone and my midnight experience has not repeated itself but having read this I will up the dose to 2 as I am now experiencing numb lips and tongue. I note that the muscle contraction may be another description of cramp which I have also noticed has got worse.

2 tabs per day is double the rda though. Anyone have any comments about this. I know Atkins recommends v high doses of many things - just can't remember if he mentions magnesium.

[jessica78]

If I was a breast feeding mother who was on medication for blood pressure and I was restricting nutrional intake so I could lose weight, I think I'd stop breast feeding.... That's just my personal feelings, as I see that as child neglect in an indirect way.....


thats the worst advice ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not to mention RUDE!

im a brreastfeeding mother and if someone told me the answer is to stop BFing id slap them


you do need to be careful dieting while breastfeeding.

[tiredangel]

thats the worst advice ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not to mention RUDE!

im a brreastfeeding mother and if someone told me the answer is to stop BFing id slap them


you do need to be careful dieting while breastfeeding.

Hahaha, the easiest weight I ever lost was while breastfeeding twins. Who needs to really diet when you can eat so much extra in a day and your hormones for once in your life are working for you to lose weight!

As far as dieting goes . . . your body takes care of your milk first, THEN you, just like in pregnancy it takes care of the baby first. You have to stay hydrated, but breastfeeding is so far superior to formula of any kind, even breast milk with ketones in it (which I do not believe are harmful). Even vegetarian moms who are not eating the meat they need (*grin*) have breast milk that is far superior to formula.

There is so much ignorance when it comes to breast feeding, unfortunately. I was told constantly that I would have to formula supplement my twins since women cannot keep on producing enough for two (I think this causes moms of twins to give up, really, since many pediatricians measure the weight curves of breast fed babies according to the formula fed babies and so the moms think they're not nourishing their babies when they're doing FINE).

Edit to add: I tried to find nutritional labels of various formulas on line, and I cannot find ONE! I suspect they're full of all sorts of crap we wouldn't eat ourselves, or they'd have the labels somewhere.

[FancyKat]

I had to quit all BP meds as they were making me very ill and almost gave me kidney failure. The pain in my stomach was not bearable either.

Those are bad meds and I refuse to take any of them any more.

I am better off of them and kidney started to work again.

Barb

Thank you, yes I am on a beta blocker for blood pressure spikes. 12 1/2mg to 25mg a day(depending on how my bp is behaving) of Atenolol.

Thanks for your advice. I will check my thyroids because my sister got her thyroids checked and even though they say she is fine, she insists her thyroids are giving her problems and she complains of disabling fatigue; her wasn’t not as bad as mine though.

[Hismouse]

I have to give my opinion, I was on Antenol and it says in the info pack, DON"T TAKE WHILE BREASTFEEDING, it says that in those big letters, I'm not yelling.......I think since this happen once and it wasn't a long period, and you didn't call 911, youhad your young son help you out. And the breakfast bar help, bingo then low BS, low BP won't come up with food like that. So relax, it must have been low BS and its because your breast feeding and your calories we most likely very low compared to your norm. I think you should wait this out, finish your breastfeeding and then embark on weight loss. Have your Blood Sugars checked, maybe even get a monitor and test often, this will give you another Machine to rule out another problem.
When I was on that Beta-blocker, I was so weak and swelled like a toad, and you may not realize it but this med is not for everyone.
My daughter was one it, got weak, fell and hit the entertainment center and passed out and quit breathing. She had head injurys and broke her nose, and a Bp that was very very low. They took her off it....
Just because a Dr gives a drug, doesn't mean your body will like it.....
I hope your doing better, and on a good road:)

[IvannaBFit]

I have to give my opinion, I was on Antenol and it says in the info pack, DON"T TAKE WHILE BREASTFEEDING

Many, many medications -- even vitamins and teas -- state that as a legal disclaimer. It's due to the significant lack of research on what does and does not affect breastmilk. I'm not saying you're wrong in posting the warning, though!

That said, you can safely lose weight while BF. I've lost 40+lb (gained a little, recently) since I started BF my son two years ago. And he is a very bright, healthy and strong little boy; he's never been on ANY antibiotics or had any ear infections, flus or serious illnesses.

While I wouldn't -- and most lactation consultant's wouldn't -- advise trying to lose weight in the first few months while you're establishing milk supply, there's nothing wrong with losing weight safely after your milk supply has been established.