My DD is 8wks old and I have been BF her when at home, but also pump 3x a day at my Mon-Fri, 40 wk job. This morning for breakfast I had 1 cup grits w/1 scram egg around 7ish. Then 2 hours later, I am RAVENOUS, so I started eating my lunch of spaghetti (I just finished it) My normal pump output for a workday can be from 12-19oz, so does this mean I am eating less or taking in too much and pumping more than I'm eating?
Well...I don't feel so bad now. DH says that I am not making enough. Our DD will be 9 wks tomorrow and has gone through a rapid growth spurt from a 5lb 13 oz birthweight. I think she is like 11 something?? wks ago. She had all but demolished my freezer stash and now I have to play catch up. I haven't been sleeping too well, but my output has been good, but I still have to squeeze in a couple of extra sessions even though I don't want to LIVE on the pump. I ate 1.5 cup of oatmeal with one measly pack of sugar and 1 tsp of sugar free syrup. I just ate a banana which seems to keep my blood sugar from dropping too quick. I WILL start to make protein the base of all my meals, so I'm off to the vending machine for some peanuts. It doesn't help that I WANT to lose weight (I'm 174 lbs, 153 pre-pregnancy, 182 at delivery)
It is totally normal to eat like a horse when breastfeeding! Your body only needs an extra 300 calories when pregnant, but an extra 500 calories when breastfeeding. So you should be eating more now than when you were pregnant. If you are worried about your weight, just make sure that your extra snacks are healthy, such as vegetables or fresh fruit :)
A good rule of thumb -- especially for nursing moms! -- is to eat if you're hungry. Just eat good-for-you things. Also to drink a lot of water. I would eat more in one sitting and carry snacks like granola bars, fruit leather, etc. with you if you can't get meal breaks when you want them.
If you're wanting to make more milk, pump more often. If you're wanting to make less, pump less.
Does that answer the question? I don't think I was completely sure what you were asking. I hope it does!
Sounds completely normal to me, and I've read A LOT about BFing (as well as BF my own daughter). Your body uses an extra 300-500 calories a day when you're BF, so pack extra snacks for work because you'll probably be getting hungry about every 2-3 hours! And keep up the good work!!! I know it's not easy to pump when you're working a FT job, I've been there! But you're giving your baby such a wonderful gift! And just FYI: the Woodstock La Leche League (breastfeeding support group) is now holding 7pm meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, at Bascomb United Methodist Church located at 2299 Bascomb Carmel Road in Woodstock. I've been attending since I was pregnant, and don't know what I would have done without the information and encouragement of the group! L. in Woodstock :)
Hi L.,
I find it so fascinating when people say that breast feeding causes one to rapidly lose the weight gained in pregnancy. It is true that your body uses lots of extra calories in producing your baby's nourishment; but because of the body's need for these extra calories it also increases your appetite significantly!!! Professionals will tell you the enormous benefits to breast feeding are well worth it and I agree! Still, they are not so quick to let you on the fact that your appetite will definitely seem to that of a ravenous wolf. Some of the hunger could also be due to the body's need for increased fluids so be sure to add these extra fluids in as well. Good luck!
L.,
You're doing a lot - 2 kids, working, and breastfeeding. The breastfeeding is taking the LEAST toll on your nutrition and calorie demands. At this stage, you only need a few hundred calories to make all the milk you need for her. Different women produced different amounts for varying reasons, but you may produce the same amount if you ate a little less - but you'd have much less energy, I suspect.
Eating when hungry; stopping when full should be a good rule of thumb.
D. S, (Certified Lactation Counselor)
Well, for this breakfast I can tell you that you had way too many carbs for the amount of protein. Breakfast should be more balanced: at least 7g of protein for every 15g of carbs. Carbs leave your stomach the fastest, proteins the slowest. If you don't want to be hungry so soon after eating, you need more protein. Also, try having small snacks between meals (1 protein serving with 1 carb serving like some almonds and graham crackers, or crackers with peanut butter... something like that.) Kashi also has some good snack bars with a good serving pf protein in them.
Congrats on your new baby!
Doesn't sound outta wack to me. A breastfeeding mom needs around ###-###-#### calories MORE a day than a non-breastfeeding mom. I would try upping your protein intake as your body will burn the carbs faster, I think that's how it goes. I try to keep a trail mix with lots of almonds in my desk for that mid-morning snack attack.
Sounds like your pumping is going well, that's about my output, too, a day. Just remember to stay hydrated, sometimes it's not food your body's wanting, but water.
L.-re weight loss. If you keep breastfeeding it will come off, but you don't want it to drop off too fast. I went from 170 pre-preg, to 200 at delivery, and now after 10 months I'm down to 150. It will happen, just eat healthy and don't cave into the junk food/over-processed food.
It is totally normal to have a stronger appetite when you are breast feeding. Especially at this stage. I say keep on eating! As long as you are eating healthy foods and not junk you are good. Your body needs the extra nutrients and calories for the breast milk. Essentially you are feeding both of you. Make sure you are still taking your prenatal vitamin too. Don't worry too much about the calories you burn like 500 calories a day by just breast feeding!
You output is great. And, the appetite seems COMPLETELY normal. While breastfeeding, I had a huge appetite! My husband was shocked that I could eat more than him. Further, I was eating like a horse and still losing baby weight. The only thing that helped was making sure that I ate plenty of protein. All my meals were based around protein and each snack was protein. I also drank as much water as possible!
I have the same appetite you do. I have a 5 mo old son and went back to work in mid January. I pump three times a day at work and nurse him myself first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. My daily output also seems to be right around yours. I usually eat breakfast between 6 and 6:30 and always have to have a snack by 9 or 10. I keep peanut butter crackers, V-8 juice, applesauce, granola bars, and sometimes fruit, at my desk for those cravings. You are still feeding two people so it is perfectly normal for you to need to take in more calories. Just continue to make sure they are good calories, and do not feel bad about eating more than you used to!
My eating was CRAZY after both of my kids were born and I was breastfeeding all day long. Both times, they found that my thyroid was completely "outta wack". If you find that yours is, make sure that you go to an endocrinologist and don't just let your OB or regular doctor deal with it.
Hey L.,
It looks like you got a lot of good advice. But I wanted to commend you one recognizing the importance of still providing your daughter with your breastmilk. A lot of Moms go back t work & just give up. Some don't even try. But I think you are doing a great job. I can't imagine what a pain it is to have to do that at work. Awesome for you!!! I don't know you but I'm totally proud of you. Keep up the good work, Momma!!!
Take care,
S.
It sounds like you definitely need to increase your food intake. Do not worry about your weight at this time, your main concern is focused on producing the milk for your beautiful baby. :) When I was nursing my first, I ate lots of peanut butter sandwiched and cheese (mostly cheddar, monterey jack, not the "fancy" creamier kinds) with crackers (mostly Ritz). I wasn't starving and the baby weight came off naturally. It was harder for me to lose the weight with my 2nd. My 1st daughter loved the stroller and I would go on a lot of walks with her. My 2nd daughter despised the stroller from day one, so, no long walks with the stroller. Walking definitely helps if your concerned about any extra calories that are not being burned by breast-feeding.
