forgot to say, yes I do get thirsty when nursing - another reason you'll never see me without my water bottle - and when I leave the house I take TWO water bottles - DH often thinks I'm crazy, but hey, what does he know LOL!
CORINA-MOMOF4 7/16/08 4:23 P
stormsinger - contrats on also still nursing the older child! :)
As for bfing in public - I feed/fed my babies anywhere/everywhere - when they were hungry they got/get fed! Stores, church, anywhere! Even last night while I was working VBS at church, when Christopher got fussy, I nursed him! :)
I also am still nursing my 3yr old. She is nursing about 4-6 times (at least) a day. Although after she turned 2.5yrs I told her she only gets "momma's milk" at home - unless of course our day doesn't go as planned and she's fussy/hungry then I'll let her nurse. I even nursed her at work until I quit shortly before she turned 2. BTW, I even nursed her during my job interview! (I wanted to make sure my boss realized I was not joking that I am a strong believer of nursing my babies)
LATOYALUGO 7/15/08 5:08 P
Well when I breastfeed I get so thirsty! what about you? Yea me too was gaining the weight after given birth but I talked to a doctor and she said i can lose weight while breastfeeding! Imma post a picture of my kids on my page. But right now i am about to leave to go to school! TTYL
STORMSINGER1 7/15/08 4:54 P
My kids are multiracial, too! I'm breastfeeding my 6-month-old, and still occasionally breastfeed my 2-year-old. Unfortunately, I've never found that it helps me lose weight - my body freaks out and Demands Food Now!!!!! when I'm breastfeeding, so I usually gain weight AFTER I deliver the baby. (Maybe it's because I have a thyroid condition?)
LATOYALUGO 7/15/08 12:55 P
Well my kids are multiracial. I have 5 of them and all of them even my current youngest 4 months all were breastfed. I have had people to tell me to go to the bathroom and the worse one of all was "Is that your baby" I mean you dumb idiot of course this is my baby.
MRSWAVE 7/15/08 10:59 A
I breastfed all three of mine - and did weight watchers while breastfeeding the last. Their points system gives 10 extra points per day when breasfeeding exclusively, dropping 2 points each as the baby drops feedings. If I remember correctly, points are approximately 25 calories.
In Illinois, breasfeeding in public is a protected right. You can, by law, breastfeed in any public place. Anywhere you can be, you can breastfeed. I've breastfed in the mall, at a library storytime, in church, at the park, etc. and rarely did I get "the look." Ignore it. Breastfeeding is an on-demand process. Feed the baby when he's hungry, wherever you are.
LAURIESHATLEY 7/15/08 10:48 A
I feel that the answer is never... as long as your covered up. I get both the sympathetic 'it's great your doing that' look, and the 'I can't believe she's doing that' look. In my opinion we don't tell moms that bottle feed where they are allowed to feed their babies,so it is not really equal rights to tell breastfeeding moms where they can feed. I know i've read where a mom got sued for breastfeeding in public, and the court ruled that you couldn't tell her she couldn't feed her child... she's doing what's best for the baby.
LATOYALUGO 7/15/08 8:43 A
Hi again everyone. Being a breastfeeding mom. When is it not appropiate to feed your crying hungry baby? Also has anyone given you "the look"?
MALENA6913 7/15/08 1:30 A
As long as you are eating a well balanced diet, including plenty of nutrients for you and baby. And not starving yourself, women need about 1500 calories I think. You should be ok. Breastfeeding uses about 500 cals per day or a lb a week.
hth
LAURIESHATLEY 7/14/08 7:23 P
I started when he was 2 wks old, but just little stuff like walking... I tried a few crunches and was def. not ready, now at 4 wks I can do a lot more than I could 2 wks ago..... I just don't do any more than feels comfortable.
MAMASUDS 7/14/08 4:49 P
I joined a new mommy fitness group at 4 weeks. Start out slow. Listen to your body. Pilates and other floor exercises are a good start. Be sure to include baby in the fun!
LATOYALUGO 7/14/08 4:01 P
Well me since June 28 which I originally started my diet I have los 11lbs. I think I am losing it faster cuz of the breastfeeding and because I stopped drinking sodas and juices!
MATTY999 7/14/08 3:56 P
I have a 4 week old and am bfing, When did you all start exercising?
LATOYALUGO 7/14/08 3:15 P
I breastfeed. I also take vitamins everyday. I did not know feeding my baby helps me burns more calories.
LAURIESHATLEY 7/14/08 3:00 P
I am breastfeeding, and not really dieting, but I am exercising and watching the fats and sugars to try and help myself regain my pre-preggo weight... I know they say you burn more calories when breastfeeding so as long as you are active that will help.. My lactation consulatant also recommended an extra 300 calories per day if I was planning on being really active.
MAMASUDS 7/14/08 1:48 P
There is a great book on the subject called "Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding". I read several books on the suject years ago and this was my favorite.
P-TOWNMAMA 7/14/08 10:46 A
I am also breastfeeding. I have just started some baby food and formula...my son is 6 months old. I look forward to a whole year of breastfeeding. It's his comfort and I don't feel like taking it away from him. I have asked my doctor about my weight loss journey and she told me that I was okay to not eat the extra calories.
SQUEEKBECK 7/14/08 9:45 A
I am currently breastfeeding my 10month old and we have had a great run of it so far. He is only nursing 3 times a day now, and I notice my body is not requiring the amount of calories it did in the begining when he was nursing every 2 hrs. My biggest challange is going to be to find time to exercise and to remember that I don't need to eat so much anymore.
RAKINAH 7/13/08 4:00 P
I will be in about 8-10 weeks Praise the LORD! But I did breastfeed my daughter for 9 months and it went well with my weightloss- instead of eating the 500 extra calories I just kept my same amount of calories and didn't work out has hard, only did Pilates and lost almost all my baby weight by January- I had my daughter in november!
DEEMARTIN08 7/13/08 3:15 P
I am with Cowgirl and Momasuds, I am finished and I loved the benefits of it. They are right, you dont need to eat extra calories. The more you pay attention to what you eat, you will see what benefits you and the little one most and leaves everyone satisfied. I am like momasuds, now that Im not breastfeeding, my body is retaining pounds relentlessly, I forgot to readjust myself once I weaned the babies, I would definitely say prepare and watch for tha.t I've had a few times(when I've obviously bumped my head) that I would love to be pregnant again just to have the benefit of breastfeeding again. :-)
MAMASUDS 7/13/08 2:22 P
I have breastfed 4 babies and I agree with Cowgirl. There is no need to diet, but there is also no need to eat extra calories. Just eat healthy and smart with lots of fluids. After my fourth was weaned though, I began putting on the weight. I was either pregnant or nursing for 8 years and had learned to eat more than I needed as a 35 year old non-nursing mom. Now I am struggling to take it back off. For now, just listen to your body. Later, be sure to adjust to an eating for one menu again.
COWGIRLJ 7/11/08 2:36 P
I am past breastfeeding but did so with both my kids. I did weight watchers with my second child. They allow more points for breastfeeding moms. You do not need to restrict your calories but it is a great time to lose weight because breastfeeding burns extra calories. As long as you eat healthy portions and make healthy choices you do not want to diet. When you get ready to stop be sure and either pick up extra exercise or cut back on calories. I lost but then later gained because I did not incoporate exercise into my routine. Make sure and drink plenty of water and enjoy the time with your baby. It goes by in a flash!!
CORINA-MOMOF4 7/11/08 2:27 P
I too am breastfeeding... I'm actually breastfeeding 2 children - my son exclusively (no solids/bottle/formula at all) and my daughter still nurses 4-5 times a day.
I did find this great website that tells exactly what and how much you should eat - its a food pyramid for bfing moms.
I am currently breast feeding also. I was told by my nurses not to "diet" during that time period, and to increase my intake by e 200 calories. In good news.... I have a freidn who nursing seemed to really agree with her and she just shed the pounds off. She was the smallest she had ever been when she was done. and she was a big girl to start.
HAPPY_BEES 7/11/08 1:24 A
I am breastfeeding, and I was wondering if that means I need to increase my caloric intake.
