Isn't nursing supposed to help you lose weight?

[Mommy3Girls]

Isn't breastfeeding supposed to help you lose the weight? I lost 24 pounds within the first week of delivering McKenzi by c-section, then gained 8 punds back and have stayed at that weight ever since. I cant get motivated to do my Pilates Work Out, and even though I am starting to eat a little better types of food, I still feel like I am going to stay 30 punds overweight forever..any suggestions?

[Diane1003]

I lost all my baby weight plus more!  I had a natural delivery - I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes.  How old is your baby?  Mine is 5 months - maybe give it time...?

[findinghumility]

How old is your baby? Weight loss can vary from woman to woman.  You should be burning up to 750 calories a day if you are full time nursing.  That being said I think it's more common to see weight loss occur when your baby goes through growth spurts and is nursing more. It also depends on how much you gained during pregnancy.  I gained about 50 lbs with my second and didn't lose it very fast.  Actually I didn't lose the last 20 pounds until I started consistently watching what I was eating and working out on a regular basis back in May when my "baby" was a little over 1. The good news is you are burning the calories to help, but when you look at 750 calories only equaling out to a couple of peanut butter sandwiches I suppose its easy to eat those calories without realizing it. Even if you can get walking and jump start your metabolism it should help!  Good Luck!

[findinghumility]

Also I had a completely unmediated delivery for both of my boys so unless your delivery has left you unable to move around more then normal it shouldn't effect how much weight you lose.

[Mommy3Girls]

Thank you girls!
My little girl will be 3 months on the 10th. I know with both my other girls it took me about 6 or 7 months to get back to the same size, but that was 8 and 10 years ago. I am almost 30, and I have heard once you get older it is harder to lose the weight. I guess that's probably true. I am going to be starting my workout on a daily basis next week. I am planning on doing it 4 days a week every other week, since with my schedule that is the only time I have to do it. My work schedule alternates every other week which gives me afternoons with my girls the weeks I have them. I can do my workout while they are doing homework or playing with their friends after school. I have hopes that it will only take me the next couple months to get back down to my normal weight. I think with my workout I will be okay, I just have my days I have doubts.

[Whitneylauren]

I gained 80, yes 80 lbs, with my son. After he was born I nursed him for 18 months full time. By the time he was 7 months old I had lost almost everything just from nursing (I was back in a size 6). Then I went to Bikram Yoga- that changed my life! It is a very intensive form of Yoga done in a room heated to 105 plus degrees for 90 minutes. I went daily and was able to lose the rest of the weight and then some. After 3 months I was finally back in a size 2 and feeling better than ever. That was 4 years ago.... and I still love Bikram.
With my current pregnancy I have been really concerned with weight gain and have also ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes every night....

[spade22]

My daughter is almost 6 months and feeds exclusively on breast milk (I work full time and pump, and nurse when at home).  I lost 20 of the 40 Ibs I put on during the pregnancy in the first 2 weeks but my weight has remained the same since then.  Starting today, I am going to put effort into losing weight by watching what I eat and exercising on a regular basis.  The weight will come off, but it takes effort.

[Mommy3Girls]

That is about where I am at now. I am starting my exercising today since I have time to do so. I lost a couple pounds more over the past four days, but that was simply barely eating because I was emotional. Lol!!! So I am sure it will come back until I work it off. Good luck to you!

[tahariel]

I'm not losing the baby weight right now either. My baby just turned 6 months old, our third child. I just do not have the extra time to go and work out a few times a week like I did after each of the first two children. I had a c-section and lost about 15 pounds right away, but haven't lost much since. Baby is exclusively breastfed, however, I'm a full time working mom and there is very little "free time" in my weeks right now. Hopefully when baby is a little older, I'll be able to get to the gym and burn this extra weight back off again. The baby stage goes fast so I'm just trying to concentrate on enjoying this time before baby quickly turns into a toddler. Best wishes!

[neasyc]

i have been breastfeeding for years and i have never lost a lb maybe it just me