Weight Watchers While Breastfeeding?

Updated on April 17, 2008
S.C. asks from Rancho Cordova, CA
8 answers

Hi, my baby is 5 months old and I want to lose that last 10 pounds but I want to keep breastfeeding until she is a year old. Last month, I tried Weight Watchers on the "points" plan, and my milk pretty much dried up after 3 weeks of the plan (I only lost 3 pounds). It took 2 weeks to get my supply back up. I didn't do anything drastic, but I exercised 4 days a week and rarely dipped into the extra weekly points.

Any pointers on how to successfully do Weight Watchers without reducing the milk? Should I just diet and not exercise or vice versa?

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M.T.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi S.,
I did WW and never used my extra points and I lost weight a total of 15 pounds and was still breastfeeding. The only excerice I did was walks with my baby. I was able to keep breastfeeding and I am still breastfeeding. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, that is the key. Maybe you are feeding your baby less and that is making your supply low. If your baby is feeding your body should keep making milk. So hang in there. My baby is 16 months old and is still breastfeeding and going strong.
After my First child I noticed my body hanging on to the last 10 pounds until I stopped breastfeeding.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.K.

answers from Sacramento on

I was also told not to even think about dieting until after you are completely done with breastfeeding. Your body needs more calories when it's breastfeeding in order to keep that supply up. You will stil lose weight the whole time you are breastfeeding (I certainly did) it just probably takes a little while longer to do it. Be careful after you are done breastfeeding that you will gain some weight back if you don't watch what you eat though. Good Luck! I breastfed my LO until she was 11 months (she weaned herself) and then pumped until she was 14 months old.

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K.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Make sure if you are exercising that you are drinking tons and tons of water during and after!! And eat as many points as a breastfeeding mom is allowed, you need the extra calories. I understand the want to loose weight - I really do. But if it's just 10 pounds you have to loose (or 7 more to go) that's not a whole lot. What I mean is that 10 pounds is not worth your baby not having good nourishing mother's milk to drink. There will always be time later to loose it. Good luck and enjoy that sweet baby!!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.Q.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi,
my midwives and nutritional consultant told me don't even think about a diet change till the baby is 1 year old. However, they said exercise is great and it won't hurt our milk supply at all. So I guess we'll have to go that route...
It means lots of beautiful walks with baby in the sling for us. What will you do?
Good luck!
E.

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A.K.

answers from Sacramento on

are you using the points for breastfeeding mothers?? because you are given extra for nursing... make sure to keep your fluids high. that is huge with exercise and nursing. if you crave something, eat it within moderation.it's your body telling you it needs something to continue producing... LOTS of water. try yogurt with active yeast in it. yeast is suppose to help with production.. or so i've heard. :) i think it's the fluids. your body took that milk because it needed to borrow for all that you were doing.. the changes that you made. maybe slowly get into the routine... maybe not so sudden will help.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.V.

answers from Sacramento on

S.,
You can loose weight by just eating healthy without weight watchers and still keep your breastmilk. Simply eat fresh fruit and vegetables and lean meat. Eat smaller portions and excercise, the weather is lovely take your baby on a few walks a day and speed up your pace. The closer to nature you eat your food the better it is for you. Eat snacks like fresh fruit and raw veggies, drink lots of water, you will see an amazing difference. Drink skim milk and drink juice, but water it down. Put lemon in your water as it helps wash fat and reduce cravings. Eat three meals a day, but eat healthy. Watch processed foods. You will be fine! Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I would definitely keep exercising, but try not to be too strict with a diet. You need the extra calories while you are breastfeeding. The herbal supplements listed below by another poster might be worth a try, I've also heard eating oatmeal daily can help keep your supply up. Not sure how true it is but I eat oatmeal often and have no lack of supply here! My daughter is 5 months old as well (almost 6)! Time flies!

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J.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Try herbal supplements. I used Blessed Thistle & Fenugreek. There is also a tea called Mother's Milk, but I didn't like the taste, so I didn't use it.

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