Breastfeeding questions!!?

Question

I am plannng to breastfeed my baby what are healthy meal choices for a breastfeeding mommy do I really need 1,000 extra calories a day right now I take in 1,700 to 2,300 a day fruit and veggies meat smoothies etc I feel I am nutritionally stable now but I would like some suggestions I have pamplets but I would like to hear from some pros! I am so excited!! Also if this is not too personal how much weight did you put on during pregnancy and how fast were you able to lose it if you have I want to bounce back!! I understand it takes time but do you feel breastfeeding contributes to the amount of time it takes to get back to pre-pregnancy status. I am not obsessed with this but I weighed 99 pounds b4 preg. and I am quite petite normally I would like to get down to at least 110 my healthiest look. Sorry so long thanks in advance!!

This is not my first child or first time to breastfeed but I am hoping to be able to breastfeed far longer this time for the rude comments in answer one I am aware of this but if there are advantages for me I will enjoy them try politeness!!

Answer 1

I breast fed all 4 of my children, the last 2 until they self-weaned at 11 months and 14 months. I loved nursing my babies. It was a great choice for me. I would suggest that you don't worry too much about the extra calories. Let your body be your guide when it comes to eating. Just continue eating what you have been eating during your pregnancy. You may be hungrier more often and it is OK to eat when you are hungry. It helps to drink adequate water and milk when breast feeding. With my first 3 children, I gained about 35 pounds with each of them. Breast feeding did help me lose some of that pregnancy weight. My youngest was a little different as she was born when my older kids were 18, 15, and 12 (a little surprise conceived when I had been on birth control pills for 11 years!). I developed Gestational Diabetes and had a lot of trouble with eating enough. I ended up weighing less the day my daughter was born than I did before I knew I was pregnant. So, she wasn't the norm. Instead of putting the greatest focus on how much you weigh, try thinking more in terms of how healthy you are. Your body will do some changing during pregnancy and your after pregnancy body may very well be different. You may carry your weight differently and not be able to get down to 110, but don't despair, if you are eating healthy and exercising you will be at your healthiest regardless of what you weigh.

Answer 2

Hi there - I'm a mom of two (9 yrs and 4 yrs). I was very eager to breastfeed and found it very difficult. My advice to you would be, especially if this is your first, go into it w/an open mind. If for some reason the baby has difficultly latching on or you just don't enjoy it (it's exhausting) try to hang in for as long as you can and then talk to your doctor about supplementing. Don't let anyone make you feel like a failure if it doesn't work the way you think it should.
having said that, it really does help you lose post baby weight. I remember feeling my uterus contract as my daughter would nurse. You'll need the extra calories - I never actually counted but I would eat a lot of snacks throughout the day to keep up my strength - stick w/healthy choices as if you were following weight watchers program. Fruit, good carbs, lean protein, etc. Your body will tell you what you need.
And finally, everyone is different - you are starting from a very low weight and I'm guessing you'll probably carry small too if your frame is so tiny. Don't worry about it so much. You'll be so focused on the baby that you won't have time to worry about your weight (at least not initially). It will come off in a few months and just work an exercise routine in with the baby (like taking it for walks around neighborhood, etc) and you'll enjoy the baby and be helping your body.
I know I'm rambling but it's nice to remember those days. It's a lot harder than the books or even your friends will tell you so just be ready to have your world rocked (in a good way). Good luck!

Answer 3

The extra calories are indeed needed! You actually need MORE calories to breastfeed than you do being pregnant!

I added non-fat dry milk to everything for the extra calcium...wheat germ is also a good addition to foods--very good for you.

The average amount of weight I gained with each of my 4 pregnancies was about 40 pounds...BUT, after my first, I had 10 pounds that I didn't lose before #2 (3 months postpartum) so in all fairness, I gained an average of 50 pounds...

My youngest is 6 months and I need to lose 20 pounds to be at my before-babies-came-along weight.

I was not concerned about extra weight during or after my pregnancies, but if has been important to you, then you shouldn't have trouble shedding the extra pounds...especially if you breastfeed--excellent calorie burner :)

I would seriously suggest taking a breastfeeding class and accepting any and all the breastfeeding support offered at the hospital...I thought it was going to be so wonderful and what I found out was that it is REALLY hard!! A proper latch is KEY to success...when #4 came along, I was FINALLY able to do it correctly, yet my time breastfeeding him was short lived simply because of my other 3 children.

Good luck to you and your new baby!

Answer 4

You probably only need about an additional 500 calories per day during your pregnancy. Afterwards, just keep eating healthy foods. Try to avoid gas producing foods like cabbage, onions, mushrooms, and yeast breads or bagels, etc. Those foods can cause the baby to have gas/colic problems; Sometimes dairy foods or too much juice can be a problem for the baby too. Anything with a lot of acid can cause the baby to have diarrhea which will break down the skin on their bottoms! BFeeding can burn up to 500 calories per day!! It will not help keep your breasts firm.
I gained 26lbs. with my pregnancy and lost most of it in the first 4 months post-partum. The last 5-10lbs was tough, but came off by 6months. I started back to the gym after 8 weeks. Your body naturally hangs on to some of the weight after the baby comes because it "knows" you are probably helping to sustain the nutrional needs of your baby. So give it a little extra time versus if you were just trying to lose weight like you may have done before a baby! Sorry for the novel!

Answer 5

Sore nipples are ordinary. Hopefully as soon as you may have been nursing a bit of longer, it'll leave. I accept as true with the primary character that choking appears like over-energetic letdown. Basically, the milk comes out quicker than she will be able to swallow it. Once breastfeeding is headquartered and your breasts get the consider for what they have to be doing, it can be much less of a drawback. In the interim, you would take a look at keeping her in additional of a sitting function or, as the opposite character stated, lean again a few at the same time nursing. Both positions look to make use of gravity to both gradual the milk down or support her get it down quicker. I would not fear approximately it popping out of her nostril. I observed that once I nursed my daughter in a designated function, I'd observe milk dripping out of her nostril at the same time she ate. It's all attached, so commonly that occurs! Congratulations at the new child, and maintain up the well paintings breastfeeding her! It gets simpler in a couple of weeks, I promise!

Answer 6

Congrats on your decision to breastfeed! It really does have it's benefits! I was about 107 lbs when I got pregnant w/ my twins. I gained about 35 lbs and my daughters were born weighing a healthy 5lbs 5oz and 5lbs 2oz. I gained all of my weight in my stomach and butt so it only took me about 3 months to get back down to my normal weight without exercise or diet. If you are naturally thin you shouldn't have a problem. Smoothies made with fruit and yogurt are great for breastfeeding. Most importantly-don't stress too much about your weight!! Enjoy the experience!!

Answer 7

I'm glad you're so excited about this as it's really great for your baby. Don't worry too much about how much "extra" to eat--more than likely you'll naturally be as hungry as you need to be to make the milk; but if you have weight to lose, just cut out one or two luxury items each day and see how it goes. Eat a nutritionally sound diet (you may find you have to cut out some specific types of food if the baby gets colicky--coffee, chocolate, or something else--you'll find out by trial and error). I nursed all four of my babies about 9-12 months each (they each weaned themselves about then), and I never had to cut out much. How my weight "bounced back" varied from pregnancy to pregnancy--the first was the easiest as far a slimming down again. And, btw, don't be discouraged by nursing problems--I had a lot of nipple pain for the first 2-3 weeks of each, but La Leche League advisors helped find solutions--they're a great resource. Blessings!

Answer 8

The main thing is good nutrition for you. When people refer to the calorie requirement, remember it is to make your milk supply remain at a good level but ultimately the milk usually comes in on a supply/demand ratio. The human body, particularly our female bodies are AMAZING. What will keep you (and me, Mom of a 14 year old who was breastfed for 2 months and Mom of a 3 month old who will be breastfed for 15 months...) going is DETERMINATION. Same thing goes for the fitness thing as well. The fact that you have a will and the desire to do both will lead to your success, Mamma!

Answer 9

Everything in moderation is fine. The main thing is to drink LOTS of water to help keep your milk production up.

I gained 40 lbs with all three of my pregnancies and have only kept on 5 lbs since the first. Typically, 112ish (5'6"). Lost most of it. At 43, I now weigh 117.

Answer 10

You need to buy the book and read it: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from La Leche League. This is your best source. Eat nutritionally as if you were pregnant, continue to take your prenatal vitamins. Do not over-stuffed yourself just because you are pregnant. You will lose weigh slow but permanently. Your main reason for breastfeeding should be your baby and not your looks. The purpose of our breasts is to produce milk for our babies.