how long do you have to breastfeed a baby?

Question

ive been breastfeeding for 6 weeks..and honestly i love my daughter to death but its kinda gettin on my nerves because i cant eat what i used to and cant exercise the way i want to..i gained alot of weight during my pregnancy and want to lose it all before spring...

Answer 1

Good news!

There are no foods that you must avoid when breastfeeding, and the only thing I'm aware of that you have to avoid is alcohol. In fact, you can eat MORE of what you want to than you could if you weren't breastfeeding, because breastfeeding takes care of the extra calories and your baby actually needs the fat in your diet for brain development. You can take Tylenol and Sudafed, and anything you may have prescribed to you for pain if you have had a c-section (like hydrocodone).

Breastfeeding alone is usually enough to make the weight come off, but if you're that concerned, there is no reason in the world why you can't exercise. Breastfeeding even helps the uterus shrink back to its original size faster and it helps the mother's body to heal faster by releasing certain horomones that aid in healing.

You don't "have" to breastfeed at all. Nobody is making you breastfeed your child (to my knowledge anyway). If you are breastfeeding, it is because you made a decision at some point that it was the best thing for your baby (and it is). Nothing has changed in that respect; it is STILL best for your baby (and for you, if you consider the health benefits you reap as well). It will continue to be the best thing for your baby for at least the first year of her life, if not more. If you stop breastfeeding before she is a year old, you will have to supplement with Artificial Breast Milk (formula). If you stop after a year but before her second birthday, you will have to supplement with cow breastmilk.

I think that your priorities are probably causing you to focus a little more on meeting your baby's needs than your own cosmetic concerns, now that you are a parent. Feeling guilty about wanting to stop breastfeeding is a natural response to going against what your gut instinct is telling you to do. Relax, the weight will come off and you will be just fine.

Answer 2

Good for you that you decided to try breastfeeding at all, there are plenty of moms out there who don't even consider it. Obviously there is not a required amount of time to breastfeed, because if there was, women wouldn't put their babies on formula right from the start!! IF you don't feel that breastfeeding is right for you anymore, than don't be afraid to switch to formula. Just consider all your options before you do it. What could it possibly be that you used to eat that you can't eat while breastfeeding? that comment confused me a bit. And why can't you exercise if you are breastfeeding? As long as you are getting enough calories and eating a balanced diet, there is not much that should be a problem on the food front, and there shouldn't be any reason why you can't start a normal exercise routine. You could even consider just nursing first thing in the morning and at night, or pumping sometimes for during the day, if your concerns are about your actual schedule.

Answer 3

There's no difinitive timeframe for which you "have" to breastfeed. There are some recommendations, however. The AAP recommends breastfeeding for the first year, and the WHO (World Health Organization) recommends 2 years. These are the minimal recommendations; you can go beyond those timeframes if you want, or you can stop sooner if desired. I'm not so sure how breastfeeding is keeping you from exercising, unless you mean you can't bring baby to the gym with you, or you won't have enough milk for her in daycare. At her age, she's going through a growth spurt and may want to nurse every hour! That will pass in a few days, and her feedings will gradually space out with more time in between feedings, except for those little spurts. As far as eating, usually the only things you may have to avoid are dairy and wheat, since they can trigger digestive problems in your baby. Try some gluten-free breads and pastas and see how they affect baby, and perhaps try some soy, rice, or goat's milk in place of cow's milk, if you like. Breastfeeding can burn about 500 extra calories a day, so you might be able to lose a few extra pounds overall if you keep doing it. Whatever you decide, good luck!

Answer 4

You don't have to breastfeed a baby at all. It's a personal decision on how long you do. If you do wean your baby, you will have to provide formula instead as it is highly recommended that children are not given cow's milk until at least one year of age.

By the way, breastfeeding shouldn't keep you from getting exercise, and your body expends approximately 500 additional calories per day to make breastmilk, so that should actually make it easier to lose weight. But yes, you do have to be more careful about what you eat.

Answer 5

You don't have to breastfeed if you do not want. 6 weeks is enough for her to get the good nutrients they say are good with breastfeeding. I bf my first son for 4 months then I had to stop. It got on my nerves too. I had to pump if I wanted to go anywhere. B/c I do not do it in public places. And that is too much work. I found it was so easy to make a bottle. Plus my husband could do some of the feeding. So whenever you feel like stopping, it is ok. Good luck.

Answer 6

Why can't you eat what you want and exercise like you need to??? Just because you breastfeed, you should not have to cut out any food in your diet unless it is bothering your baby. And you can definitely exercise at any time - why shouldn't you? Exercising isn't going to affect your milk or anything...and breastfeeding actually aids in losing baby weight faster so you're benefiting your body by sticking with it!
But any amount of breastfeeding is better than none. Just remember all of the benefits before quitting.
Good luck!

Answer 7

well it always should be totally up to the individual what they do. but i don't understand what you mean about eating and exercising. I successfully lost my pregnancy weight while breastfeeding. i started Weight watchers when she was 3 months old and it really worked. the added bonus was that i got to eat extra because i was breastfeeding. WW have a great programme for breastfeeding mothers. as for specific foods, i basically eat what i did before pregnancy etc so that hasn't changed. i have also managed to increase my exercise and that has helped me lose and maintain weight. my baby is now 11 months, I am still breastfeeding and it has been great for me. but if you are really not happy doing it, it is your choice.

Answer 8

6 weeks is a great start for your daughter, but of course if you can the longer you go the better for her. What can't you eat now that you could before? Why can't you excercise? Breastfeeding actually should be *helping* you to lose the weight.... I don't see why you can't do both! :) You've made it through the hardest part of bf'ing ..... you should be "reaping the benefits" now! I thought bf'ing was crazy hard the first couple of months, but as my son got older it became really convenient and so much easier than bottles (I bottle-fed my first 2 kids) Especially in the middle of the night.

Answer 9

You can eat whatever you want, she'll get used to it. As long as your eating a well balanced diet. And just because your nursing doesn't mean you can't exercise. Breastfeeding is great for a baby's development, but if you really feel it is important to you stop whenever you want. I think you'll miss it though. By the way, nursing helps speed up weight loss.

Answer 10

Congratulations you have stuck through the worst of it. Now your body should start adjusting and you will stop "leakage" all together. You will get to the point where you wont engorge even if you are away for extended periods. If it hasn't already, your menstrual period about a year after you have given birth. You can start eating spicier foods. I think it is darn handy having the ability to nurse on demand. You never have to heat up a bottle and you can always sooth an upset baby with a little mommas milk.
It's a personal choice but I recommend sticking with it.