too much weight loss?

Question

Ok well while I was pregnant I gained 42lbs. My son is now 4 months, I am breastfeeding and I have lost 55lbs. I'm not saying this too be like "look at me I'm sooo skinny." I am serious!! I am losing hair, but I feel like I have enough energy to pass it out freely to other mothers and the weight loss is out of control. What's wrong??

Answer 1

This is perfectly normal:

1. The hairloss isn't due to breastfeeding. It's due to the drop in hormones that happens after birth. You don't lose any hair while pregnant and now you're going to lose a lot of it. dont' worry. It's normal!

2. Eat, eat, eat. It's important to increase your caloric intake while you are breastfeeding. I can't remember how much it is for one baby (I have twins so I'm supposed to get some crazy high number like 3500). I always have healthy snacks like cheese cubes, yogurt, raisins, cheese crackers, peanut butter, apples, and other fresh fruit set up near where I nurse. I pretty much eat four meals a day plus snacks in between.

3. I'm currently 14 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight. My doctor said this is normal. Just be careful about your food choices because once you wean you might be too used to eating unhealthy, high-fat stuff and will struggle with weight after you stop breastfeeding.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think this is very common, I'm still loosing some hair (not as much as before) and my son is 9 months old and I am 13 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight,- but keep in my mind a was a little above normal weight range for my height/age. I too was pretty worried (yet excited at the same time...I haven't been this skinny in years) So I just maintain it with Protein Shakes, and continue to eat my normal meals. Since you're breastfeeding, caloric intake is important, but still eating healthy. Like the other post said, once you stop breast feeding, if you have bad eating habits, the weight will creep right back. Good Luck and Congrats !

Answer 3

That is a pretty big loss, but remember that most breastfeeding mom's lose weight faster due to the energy it takes your body to make milk and keep up with the demands of a newborn. Make sure you are getting enough fat and calcium in your diet to help give your body the calories for milk production.

The hair loss is normal after having a baby and is more about your hormones. It usually slows down 4-6 months after delivery. Remember that when you are pregnant, you have more hair coming in and lose less than normal, so now your body is losing all the extra and getting back to a normal rate of loss.

Congratulations on your baby!!

Answer 4

Losing hair post partum is normal, even for non breastfeeding mothers, so no worries there.

You should be taking in an extra 500 calories/day when nursing, so dont forget you should be giving yourself a bit more food than normal. I too am a bit less than pre-pregnancy. Breastfeeding is great for that! Are you now underweight? If not, then just be thankful! Bony isnt a good look though, so if you're starting to see all your ribs, cook up some potatoes or pasta with your normal meal, eat more bread, or other food high in carbs.

Answer 5

You sound normal to me... I dont know what the problem is.

You lose a lot of hair in the months after giving birth, its caused by hormones. you're probably anemic and not getting enough iron, most new moms are and it makes you very very tired and sluggish and even faint. its normal to lose the bulk of your baby weight in the first month after birth, so having lost 55 already sounds like you're breast feeding and not eating enough.

but it doesnt sound like a huge problem. Just eat more food and keep taking your prenatal while nursing.

Answer 6

Losing hair is normal postpartum. You grew lots of hair while PG and now with your hormones shifting, you'll lose some of it.

Maybe you aren't getting enough calories? You burn a lot of extra calories while nursing. Maybe keep a journal of what/how much/when you eat for a week and see how you are doing?

Answer 7

I think some women just do that. I gained 50 with my first and by the time he was about five months, I lost 60. I gained 38 with my daughter and I have lost 50 so far. She is five months right now. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have no energy.

Answer 8

Eat less at night

Answer 9

food and drink swaps

Answer 10

Yes