Weight Watcher and Breast Feeding

I have a friend doing it now. She has lost quite a bit of weight and looks great. Her little one is maybe 3 months at this point.

When I was breastfeeding I was always told not to try to lose weight and to eat and drink a lot. That women's bodies need lots of calories to produce enough milk. I always had more than enough milk. I think it's best to discuss it with your doctor and a lactation specialist. The people at Weight Watchers or any group like that are sales people and my not have your best interests at heart, only their bottom line.

Have you researched this question on the WW site? You can find a WW location in your vicinity and go to one of the meetings and ask the counselor there. She will tell you what you need to know. It's best to go to the horse's mouth.

Dawn

My niece had great success with Weight Watchers while nursing. The consultants there totally helped her figure out a healthy way to lose weight while continuing to nurse her daughter.

BTW -- she still looks fabulous!

You get 10 extra points for nursing

I did. That's best time to do it! It's a lot easier because you get so many extra points. If breastfeeding exclusively, you get 14 extra points. Ifsome formula/solids mixed in, you get 7 extra points.

(that was under the points plus program. Not sure how it works under the 360 thing they are advertising).

yes and no. I have counted calories while BF which is essentially the same thing. Most everything I read said not to go below 1800 calories BF. But I could not loose weight on this( also it was more food than i even wanted to eat). I took it down to 1500 calories and lost about a lbs a week. I was not a big milk producer and my baby was not a big milk drinker. She is still a tiny little person, 3rd percentile on the growth chart. Every mom and baby is different. So long as you don't loose more than two lbs a week you should be tine. Start safe at 1800 calories and take it down from there if the weight is not coming off.
Make sure your milk supply is well established, and if dieting effects your supply just stop dieting. Honestly dieting while BF is a great way to loose weight.
I think the conversion from points to calories is about 50 calories per point. You will want to add 300-500 calories.

I did. When you set up your profile, it asks you if you are breastfeeding and adds the points on for you. I think it's like 9 or 10 pts a day extra. Lost my baby weight in 3 months on it. Booya!

Just wanted to add, counting calories is as different as night and day than weight watchers.

Ww is so much more beneficial to your health. You learn so much to set you up for life long healthy eating habits.

Omg, Janes advice is horrendous! Please don't do that!

Good luck!

In theory you might be able to.
If you are eating way large portions to begin with, then learning to eat more reasonably should not impact your breast feeding.
So if you're eating 5000 calories a day, eating 2500-3000 would be less than you are use to but still not be a starvation diet.
I would count calories taking into account a number needed for milk production and make sure to take a daily vitamin so your nutrition is as balanced as possible.

I did it while I was nursing (though right around the time I weaned). You put in your profile that you're breastfeeding and it will figure out how many extra points to give you each day/week. It's great - you don't have to guess. : )

When I stuck with the program and was really tracking my points, paying attention, and staying within my limit, I was able to lose about 1-2 pounds per week (healthy weight loss).

I did WW while nursing...and it worked so well that I got pregnant again!!
Just a word of warning :)
They actually have a number that you add, I think it is 10 points per day. I was nursing a toddler at that point, so I just talked to the leader and we figured 3 points was about right for me. If your supply starts to suffer, or you lose weight too fast, you can always eat more!

I am not familiar with Weight Watchers.
But a long time ago when I was in college, I worked at Jenny Craig, and they had a "Breastfeeding Menu" program. And women were often referred by their Doctor.
You might try looking at their website to see if they still have the breastfeeding menu program. Or just call them if you have one in your city.

But no matter what program you use, you SHOULD, get your Doctor's approval. First.