Best weight loss plan whilst bf

[Mia78]

I gave birth to DD2 2 weeks ago, and am now looking for the safest (and quickest) weight loss program to help me shift my baby weight. I never managed to get back to my pre pregnancy weight before falling pregnant with DD2, so always planned on starting some sort of program after giving birth. I have lost 9kg in the last 2 weeks, but still have 18kg to go. I thought of replacing 2 meals a day with meal replacement shakes, and still having a normal dinner with the family - is that ok to do? I don't want to affect my breastmilk for DD. Otherwise should I look into weight watchers or something?? TIA

[One of THOSE mums!]

I personally wouldn't consider any form of 'diet' such a short time after giving birth.

I would just eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. And add some extra exercise. A walk with the pram etc.

[One of THOSE mums!]

If uv lost 9kg in two weeks I'd keep with what ur doing.
9kgs is a fantastic loss!!!

[misscheekysmum]

hi there
i personally would not replace any meals with those shake things as this may effect your milk supply. you should be eating plently of calories not restricting them.
I would try weight watchers, their new points system is easy to follow.
good luck

[FearlessLeader]

i did WW for a while when BFing and they said not to aim for any more than .5kg loss per week. You really do need to eat well, and eat enough, to make sure you don't affect your supply. So meal replacements probably not a good idea. WW i found too difficult to count points with a little bub, i found it hard enough remembeing if i *had* eaten lunch, much less what it was! My advice is to give it some time, eat healthily, go for lots of walks. When you're ready, you can step up the exercise a bit. Boring, but safest and healthiest option.

[bumMum]

Don't do a meal replacement programme they can effect your supply. Espeacially so soon after giving birth~ something like a filling healthy breakfast like muesli or porridge and a milky Milo or coffee would probably actually be more satisfying and have less sugar and calories! Then for lunch something simply like eggs or baked beans or soup and toast? I really do think those shakes are a con but I know they work for some people. However when you are breastfeeding you do need a bit more energy and can feel really hungry

[zephani]

If you decided that you wanted to go down the meal replacement route check out http://isowhey.com.au. These replacement shakes say in their information that they are safe for pregnant and lactating women.

[Mia78]

The 9kg I have lost is all from giving birth...baby, placenta, fluid etc....it hasnt taken any effort from me! lol
I got quite depressed being so over my normal weight after I had DD1...and I promised myself that I would address it as soon as I had given birth this time, so that I could get on with enjoying my children.
My mian issue at the moment, is that I am trying to juggle DD1 (21 months old) as well as DD2 at the same time, and whilst I am managing that (barely), I am finding that I am missing out on my meals. I figure that at least if I have a shake, I am getting some form of nutrition.
I bought some of the meal replacement shakes from Aldi...I had a chocolate one today for lunch....quite yummy! I will keep a close eye on my milk supply via DD2's poo's, and if there is any sign of it being inadequate, I will have to go back to the drawing board, and will look into WW instead. At the moment she is doing about 7 poo's a day, all with the "hard bits" that indicate that she is getting enough of the fatty milk...so so far so good!

[BigRedV]

I wouldn't do the shakes. Breastfeeding burns hundreds of calories. I'd wait a couple of months before dieting.

[BigRedV]

I dropped loads of weight just by breastfeeding.

[~*clairesmum*~]

Ive heard lite and easy is something u can do while breast feeding

Dont think u can do the shake diets while breast feeding

9kgs is good. and with breast feeding u will slowly loss the weight.

I also gave birth 2wks ago and have lost 12kgs since having him

[Mia78]

I breastfed DD1 up until I found out I was pregnant again....so she was fully weaned at 15 months. The most I lost bf was 1kg a month.....so if I relied on that again this time it would take me 18 months to get back to normal weight.....that seems like forever away!

[bumMum]

I know what its like cos breastfeeding was not a magical weight loss solution for me either. What about using sustagen instead? You could use skim milk. Shakes are not very tasty and a lot of them are so low cal because you mix them with water (blergh) and they are often still relatively high in sugar except for a few quality ones like isowhey. My friend did lose a lot of weight with isowhey but you use it more as a snack replacment than meal I think

[MissHannah]

I'm in the same situation. I saw a nutritionist/dietician and she said not to focus on numbers on the scale as in her experience quite often BFing mothers won't see huge losses but their bodies will still slim down. This is what she recommended for me:

Breaky - 2 weetbix and 1/2 cup of All Bran and a tsp sugar, and a piece of fruit.

Morning tea - Either a Bodywise muesli bar, 'Forme' yoghurt, or a slice of raisin toast with olive grove low fat spread.

Lunch - Salad & lean meat sandwich on rye or multigrain with no cheese and low fat sauce, or 3 sushi rolls, or a lean cuisine so long as it's no more than 300 calories.

Afternoon Tea - Same as morning tea, plus a Freddo frog if I'm craving choc

Dinner - Meat & vege, no carbs

2.5L water + no juice, coffee etc.

As well as aiming for 4 hours of exercise per week.

[Mia78]

The Isowhey drink sounds good, and the site says it is suitable for women that are lactating. I might buy some and see how I go....failing that I think I will join weight watchers :)

[BabushkaMumma]

The Isowhey drink sounds good, and the site says it is suitable for women that are lactating. I might buy some and see how I go....failing that I think I will join weight watchers :)

I used Isowhey. It tastes lovely and I used to drink it with full cream milk.

But I didn't take it to replace 3 main meals, I did it to replace snacking on junk. Was also important for calcium as lactating women need something like 1200 grams a day.

[sweetpea82]

Is there anything u could do this time around to lose the weight healthily that u didn't do last time?

I'd just be eating commonsense healthy meals 3 times a day and trying not to eat unhealthy snacks in between plus exercising by taking your bub for walks etc

I agree with others 9kg is a lot and the rest will fall off if you eat healthy and lots of it! I don't think shakes are the answer. You can't drink them forever.

[Mia78]

I saw a dietitian last time, and followed a healthy eating plan, as well as walking 5-9km, 4 times a week, but still couldn't manage more than a kilo a month. I will only replace one meal a day with the shakes, and will stop as soon as I get back to my normal weight. Maintaining the weight shouldn't be a problem, as I eat pretty healthy and am active as well.

[sweetpea82]

Sounds like you did everything last time round Mia. I found it took me 4-5 months to start losing the remainder of the weight fast, not sure why. It was like delayed weight loss. Best of luck :)