Open up and share your thoughts

[amberpatomo]

I am so excited for this opportunity. I have had so many things on my mind lately. How many calories to eat while breastfeeding? Should I eat 3 big meals or 5 to 6 smaller meals? Should I exercise everyday or a few times a week? What is my target weight? I could get many of these answered I am sure from a doctor or a friend but since I have 2 demanding children I don't always remember or have the time. So let's share our ideas and support each others cause.

[Imahoot]

Hi Amber. I am new to the board although not new to Dive5.

Are you currently breastfeeing two children or one? It is hard to keep up your milk supply alone while taking care of two small ones. Believe me I know! I nursed three children and I am thinking about becoming a lactation consultant later in life. I have all the books so I am sure that I can get you some answers.

The main thing is the type of food you are putting into your body so that you can produce enough milk but still lose. I have a great book that was a wonderful resource for me while I was bfing my second. Eat Well. Lose weight, While breastfeeding by Eileen Behan, R.D. ISBN is 0679733558

I would recommend reading it because it talks about the key nutrients you need as well as calorie wise what is good for shedding the baby pounds. It also talks about exercise and what is good vs. too much. It also discusses how much exercise to do so that you and your baby are healthy together. The key thing when you start exercising and reducing calories is your milk supply. There are things you can do to boost it and one is oatmeal. The other is water. If you are are exercising double your water intake. the book explains it in great detail so I recommend that the most.

Good luck!

[amberpatomo]

Thanks for the info! I am so pumped to get fit. I am tired of feeling like a big lump.. Ha ha. Anyway, I will have to check out that book.

BTW - I am only BFeeding one. I don't know how anyone can do two? I guess you know (3... oh my goodness).

I usually do eat oatmeal about 3 times a week. It is great for energy. I will eat more.

I try to drink about 3 liters of water a day and I think that has been the best milk supporter. I am a big fan of drinking water, it keeps your skin smooth and clear and your body cleaner.

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by amberpatomo

BTW - I am only BFeeding one. I don't know how anyone can do two? I guess you know (3... oh my goodness).

Not three at the same time, only one, just a total of three children she's BF.

Tina, that is awesome advice. Where were you 8 months ago? ;D

[amberpatomo]

Ha ha ha.. Duh!

[Imahoot]

I only asked if you were nursing two because some do. Personally I do not think I could do that and I am majorly pro breastfeeding for my famiy.

Yeah water and oatmeal really seem to help increase milk supply. Interesting isn't it?

I know what you mean about it being hard to get the weight off and feeling like a lump. I am just now able to concentrate on this issue and my little one is three. The book I recommended did help me and it has good recipes too.

Sorry Dori. You can always call me with bf questions in the future.

[Big_Sissy]

Originally Posted by Imahoot

Sorry Dori. You can always call me with bf questions in the future.

FUTURE!!! That would imply that we are having more :o

[Imahoot]

Well who knows? I thought you said you were done last time. Don't stop now...they are pretty darn sweet and you almost have a basketball team. Or a motocross team. :o

[5ft Diva]

There are scarier things than having more children..... I'm not interested in starting a motocross team ($) but it would give them something to do w/ dad. I hear basketball players make more money - I don't think there's much of a chance in that career though since I'm pretty short.

[Imahoot]

You know Big Sissy (I love calling him that) always talks about you and the boys while he is here.

Well maybe you could have a dad and son motocross team. Whatever works. It is pretty amazing though that you have so many cute boys.

[5ft Diva]

Oh, I'm sure he talks about us all the time. The question is, are they good things? I'm sure they are.

[Big_Sissy]

I would never say anything bad.

And what's wrong with a MX team?

You know Ima, Big_Sissy can also be BS. :o Now isn't that fitting ;D ;D

[Imahoot]

BS...oh I am dying right now. How in the heck did you come up with Big Sissy?

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by Big_Sissy

You know Ima, Big_Sissy can also be BS. :o Now isn't that fitting ;D ;D

Okay, none of that now. :-*

[Big_Sissy]

Honestly, I have no idea. I must have been feeling particularly witty that day or something.

But this is ... well, mostly a gurl forum, so I figured what the heck, Big_Sissy sure is fitting. And since I get to fix all the broken stuff and take care of upgrades, I figured I had better become a good fixture.

[runamyrun]

Originally Posted by Imahoot

I would recommend reading it because it talks about the key nutrients you need as well as calorie wise what is good for shedding the baby pounds. It also talks about exercise and what is good vs. too much. It also discusses how much exercise to do so that you and your baby are healthy together.

How do you know how much exercise is too much? I have always wondered this, because I run a lot while I am nursing. Well, I don't do both at the same time! Ha ha! Anyways, I always worry that my babies arent' getting enough, or maybe they aren't getting the nutrients they need. Let me know what the book says!

[Imahoot]

After six weeks post pregnancy it is said that if you exercise regularly and vigorously, you must eat enough to meet te demand of exercise as well as making milk.

In my experience as a nursing mother...I could tell when my milk would get low. Taking in lots of water and of course making sure that you are getting enough good food is so important if you are exercising regularly and vigorously. If you start to notice that you are getting low...reduce your exercise gradually and then see how things are. I am not saying you should not exercise, but rather use caution before starting a new routine with a lot of workouts in a row if you are not used to that.