After having a baby.. about the weight?

Question

So my BMI is pretty high I'm conciderd over weight...

I weighed 140lbs before I got pregnant, now i am 170!!!

its been 8 weeks since I had a baby, - in average i think it is 1,200 calories per average person to be eating, and breast feeding moms 500calories xtra... Cause I am over weight can I diet and not have that 500calories? I rally want to slim down, and I don't want to wait a freaking year! I have a very good milk supply so would it be safe even if I drop 150? Thanks

Answer 1

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not times where you want to be dieting.  If you restrict things too much your body will begin leeching calories and nutrients from anywhere it can, namely bones and muscle tissue.  I would just wait, having this weight for a little while isn't going to do too much harm since you only gained 30 pounds, that is well within normal ranges.

If you simply HAVE to diet and cannot wait, eat more veggies and fruits and drink more water.  Your baby will thank you too as those are great foods for nursing mothers!  Stay away from "diet" sodas and foods though as they are loaded with artifical things that your baby does not need.  Exercise too!  Take your baby from a stroll around the block!  Just don't totally be on a diet, just make healthier choices.

Answer 2

Your body will continue to make good milk for your baby as long as you are not starving yourself. You want to make sure to get a balanced diet so that *you* get the vitamins and nutrients that you need. However, the "500 calorie" thing is just a guideline. Every woman is different. Feel free to diet, just make sure to do it gradually (no quick weight-loss or weird diets), and drink lots of fluids.  

Answer 3

Go to freedieting.com.  They have a calorie calculator based on current weight and height and will figure how many cals you should be eating to lose weight.  Just add in the extra 500 since you are breastfeeding.

I think your milk supply would be fine if you lost weight.  Our bodies are built to supply milk to our babies even in times of famine.

Answer 4

I was a little over weight before I got pregnant with my third child and was about 175 at the end of my pregnancy.  I gave birth 4 months ago and have been breastfeeding.  This has helped my stomach go down significantly.  I eat regular because I cannot be bothered with counting calories.  If I'm hungry, I eat...If I am not, I don't.  Also, I walk a lot which helps, I do leg lifts and side crunches.  My shape is pretty much back except for the little pouch but the next thing I will do is wrap my self with a waist ban or ace bandanges and do tai bo......After my second son, it took a while for me to lose the weight and I was very depressed.  I saw a program and women were wrapping their stomachs and waists with ace bandages to lose inches. I did that as well as the tai bo workout - the pounds dropped off.  Don't starve yourself, just get moving and you'll lose the weight.  Eat fruit, cereals and drink plenty of water too.  What you might want to cut out is soda if you drink a lot of it.  Treat yourself once in a while but take it out of your diet for the most part.  You will see the weight come off.

Answer 5

don't diet whilst breastfeeding your milk WILL decrease if you do. i was advised by my midwife to eat more fatty foods (she reccomended a cake in the afternoons to my amazement)when my milk dropped off a little, and make sure you graze and don't go too long between meals.  Trust me,, if you are breastfeeding you will lose weight anyway. it took me 6 months , but i actually ended up thinner than before.  

Answer 6

I've known quite a few women whom have done this.  Just try to make sure that you are eating healthy foods, i.e. fruits, veges, meats, dairy, etc.  Try not to rely on so called diet foods such as frozen dinners, reduced or fat free/ sugar free items from the grocery store.  Personally everyone I have known whom has done this has been just fine.  You will know once you start.  You may have to eat some of the 500 calories to keep up your milk supply, but you may also be fine without it.  Good luck, oh and I might add it will help you more to take at least a brisk 30 minute walk 5 or more times a day.  Exercise is cumulative so you can break it up to 2 15 minute outings.  Your little one would enjoy it too, so bring the stroller and burn even more calories from pushing.