Breastfeeding & BMI etc

[MissJosie]

I am currently breastfeeding my 2nd child but want to start loosing some of the baby weight. I've taken my stats & know calorie wise if breastfeeding you should have 400 extra calories but does breastfeeding alter the BMI wtc you should be aiming for?

[xvanillaskyx]

Hi MissJosie, congratulations on the birth of your baby 💕

I am in a very similar situation to you, breastfeeding my second child and wanting to lose weight. It doesn't effect the BMI figure you should be aiming for but you may want to stick towards the higher end of your personal calorie range suggested by the NHS BMI calculator.

As you say breastfeeding burns extra calories so you wouldn't want to lose to much weight too quickly but something sensible like 1 or 2 lb a week depending on how much weight you need to lose should not be a problem. You can also speak to your GP if you would like more information on this as I did but i need to lose quite a bit of weight 🤗

Good luck on your weight loss journey x

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to xvanillaskyx]

Great response there xvanillaskyx 😊

I agree MissJosie about the importance of not cutting calories too far, and have heard you need to eat 500 above your suggested target, so please work out your own target using the nhs BMI checker then increase the higher number by 500. I would also suggest that food quality is important, so the Daily Diary could be very helpful.

Best wishes and good luck in your weight loss journey

Anna

[MissisB 4 stone]

Hi MissJosie and welcome to the Forum. I think it is great that you are thinking about tackling your extra pounds now. We are not qualified to give you specific advice on losing weight whilst you are breast feeding, but do talk to your GP as has already been suggested, and to your midwife too.

I would like to invite you to join our Newbie Club, which we hope will be a good place for you to connect with members, who are also just starting out, or re-starting, and this morning looks as if you are in good company.

If you could just post a few words about yourself on the October Newbie Club thread to introduce yourself and reply to one or two others there, you will soon feel part of the Club.

I am having a few technical issues today, so Ceals is helping me out and will be along shortly with a link to the Newbie Club for your to look at.

Please read all the information carefully. It is very useful and can be referred to whenever you want to check something.

Looking forward to seeing you joining in here.

[Ceals]

Welcome MissJosie brilliant that you want to start tackling your weight now.

Here is the link MissisB mentioned: healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Lots of information so give it a good read.

Enjoy your journey and use the forum lots.

[NannyEJ]

Hi MissJosie and welcome. Great that you want to lose weight and get healthy. It would be best to stay at the upper end of your NHS BMI calorie range to be sure both you and your baby get enough nutrients. You should still lose weight at this range because, as you say, breastfeeding uses up to 400 cals so you will get a deficit.

Have a well balanced diet including all the food groups and remember to take in extra fluid. When trying to lose weight, 2 litres per day is optimal but you will need extra whilst breastfeeding. I don't know how long it is since the birth but light exercise would be good to help with calorie burn. Walking is great and is ideal as you can still push a pram/pushchair whilst doing it. (Baby also gets fresh air!)

Good luck. EJ

[MissJosie in reply to NannyEJ]

My baby is 22weeks old.

[NannyEJ in reply to MissJosie]

With another child and a 22 week old baby you probably get plenty of exercise running around after them 😏.

Be careful with your back at this time as the hormone relaxin hasn't completely gone from your body yet. Weak abdominals from pregnancy and lifting heavy babies is a recipe for a back strain as I know from experience!! Enjoy the precious time you spend with your baby and good luck with the weight loss. EJ

[MissJosie in reply to NannyEJ]

I'm a dance teacher so fairly strong in general. Had issues with my pelvic with baby no 2 so having to be carful not to over stretch till I'm strong enough.

[MissJosie]

This site really confusses me so not sure if I'm posting this in the right place. I started my efforts to loose some weight last week weighing 11"10 & 83cm waist. Recorded everything & moved more. Was such hard work! But....After my 1st week i now weigh 11"3 & waist is 80cm.

A woping 7lb & 3cm.

I'm so pleased. I am now in my healthy BMI again. My next goal is to get back in the 10s!

Need to keep it going this week!

Any motivation / help would be good.