breastfeeding causing me to lose too much weight! - Breastfeeding Message Board

livinTX · 11-20-2008, 04:10 PM

I know some people wish they had this problem, but it is really getting to me lately. I keep losing more and more weight. Especially since DD was 9 or 10 months old (she's now 11 months old), the weight has fallen off. I'm 5'4" and weigh 105 lb. (Pre-preg. I was around 115-120 lb., more of a healthy weight for my height.) I have gone to the doctor and had my thyroid and bloodwork checked, but it is fine and she says it is likely the BF'ing combined with an already fast metabolism. I know I consume more than enough calories daily--I'm constantly eating, and often snacking on things like cookies and chocolate but still am losing weight even though I've scaled back my workouts from running to walking and some light weight lifting. I don't work out too much, maybe 30 min. 4-5 times a week. I can't give up the gym as it is the only thing that helps my stress and keeps me off Xanax (I have panic disorder.). Lately, DH has been commenting how he can see my ribs, and even when I eat more, I still seem to lose weight.

I am beyond knowing what to do? Even when I eat constantly and eat stuff high in calories, I still lose weight! It is really getting to me lately, and my clothes are all practically falling off. I thought the weight loss would slow down the longer I breastfed, but instead, it seems to be picking up now? Any suggestions for helping me gain weight or at least stop the weight loss?

rgold · 12-03-2008, 11:16 AM

Yeah i had the same problem that was a plus for me lol!!! After gaining so much weight during my pregnancy it took nothing to knock it off by BF!

Just try eating more at night time before bedtime and more food but healthy foods since you are breastfeeding If you workout try not to work out so often maybe try weight training to gain muscle mass?

For me I wouldn't stop BF'ing since its so healthy for the baby its just a tiny annoyance that i as a woman have to go through for a few years to have those extra bonding time and extra health for the baby.
As long as your healthy don't worry much about it.

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JohnR41 · 12-06-2008, 11:24 AM

Taking everything into consideration, like "fast metabolism" and "panic disorder", I would recommend that you try meditation. Meditation would have the effect of helping you to be calm and better able to deal with stress. It seems like it must be stress that's causing you to quickly burn through all of those high calorie foods.

Exercising is good to help relieve stress too so don't stop exercising, especially if you enjoy it so much. But possibly meditation could add something extra that you're not getting from the exercise. Studies have shown that meditation can actually reshape the brain. Although it takes some time and effort, just like exercise takes time and effort to change your body for the better.