appetite while breastfeeding

i have been breastfeeding my ds for 8 mos and my appetite is outragous. i think i'm eating more than i did during my pregnancy. after delivery i was 5lbs away from my prepregnancy weight. now, 8 months later i'm 15lbs away. i've GAINED 10lbs while breastfeeding! this is absurd, i thought bf helped you lose weight. has anyone else had a huge appetite while breastfeeding?

[taysmommy]

i ate so much while i was breastfeeding im surprised i didnt gain the whole 60 pregnancy pounds back, once you stop your appetite will return to normal (well if you dont get pregnant right after you stop, i did and im eating like a cow once again)

ps. are you thirsty all the time? just curious, i was always thirsty when i nursed

[AndiJ78]

I agree, I was/am always hungry as well. I have just had to learn to choose what I ate and make the most of it. During nursing you are expected to take in 2500 calories a day and you are providing nourishment for another human being, so by all means make sure you eat ; )

[myproblem]

All I can say is "OINK!"
I have a very small appetite normally, but while nursing, I can eat a lot. I agree that you should be choosing what you eat carefully. choose foods that are pretty filling for the amount of calories they have. Having said that, Even though I am slim, I do weigh more now, than a week after I gave birth. You do lose a lot of water weight right after birth, and may regain some of it. Also, my boobs are soooo big, that I swear they weigh 5 pounds each.

[sam2]

I am nursing too and way hungrier now than when I was preggers.  So I understand.  In the beginning when I was too tired, I was loosing now I am at a standstill, not gaining any more but not loosing either.  I am trying to eat right but that is so hard!  And it sucks that some of the foods that are good for you might cause the little ones so much gas!  Don't fret lots of us are in the same boat.

[DollChina]

Very hungry and thirsty indeed.  I do eat what I want but I know I don't usually eat the "right" foods....
I hae lost 8 additional lb after I returned to pre-preggo weight.  You think I will gain back after weaning?  

[missaunttara]

My baby just turned a year old and I am still breastfeeding. (Starting to wean her) I too have an outrageous appetite and have been wondering i this normal?? I honestly feel like I am a bottomless pit. I could eat all day long and the weirdest part is I lost every ounce of baby weight by 4 months after labor and have not gained it back. I assumed it was because you are supposed to burn extra calories while breastfeeding. Are any of you exercising? I know it's hard with a new baby but that seems to have worked for me. I only get to play soccer about 3 to 4 times a week but every little bit counts. And exercise makes you feel better.
My worry is that my appetite will remain the same after I am done breastfeeding and I will gain a lot of weight. Any one have experience here?

[Clysta]

It will go back to normal once you're done. Your body has to use calories to make the milk which in turn causes a much larger appetite.