This was originally written on Saturday, October 18, 2008:
So I just learned that I burn 1080 extra calories a day since having Logan! That's correct, ONE-THOUSAND-AND-EIGHTY CALORIES!
Are you serious?!?!?!
It occured to me today that since having Logan I have continued to eat like when I was pregnant. Meaning, no portion control and nothing is off limits. This is because when you have a baby you HAVE to consume more calories in order to have a good milk supply for your baby. If you go on a diet, then you are also going to put your baby on a diet. Not cool. Now, granted you are supposed to get those calories from healthy food choices and not just pig out on junk food, but I admit I've eaten more of the latter kind of stuff since having Logan than I did while pregnant. :/ So I decided to look up to see how much I'm either going to have to exercise in order to keep my current diet once I stop nursing, or what food I'm going to have to say goodbye to!
Before I had Logan, I read the average breastfeeding woman burns 300-500 extra calories a day. . .but tonight I read further into this and apparently that is for the average sized baby. Since Logan is above average (i.e. he eats more than average--often 4.5 oz every two hours), and breastfeeding burns 20 calories per ounce, I am burning over twice as much as I'd thought! It is no wonder I lost my baby weight so quickly. Hmmm, I suddenly have new motivation to continue breastfeeding if my milk supply goes down again. :p
Now, I must point out that when I go longer between feedings (for example, when Logan sleeps thru the night the most I've pumped is 13 oz in 8 hrs), my calorie-burning obviously slows down rather than make an additional 5 oz. Also, during the times when my milk supply is down (which generally happens every two weeks), I only pump 2 oz every two hours. AND, now that we've started solids, Logan isn't drinking 54 oz a day (obviously I was right about feeling like my metabolism was slowing down). BUT, since the end of May (during Logan's first month he only had 24 oz a day), the two weeks of each month when Logan is nursing well my body is obviously running its own marathon!
Another pro to having a big baby :-)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Best Way To Lose Baby Weight? Breastfeed!
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From Kendra on original post in October 2008:
It was more difficult for me to lose the weight than you. ha, in fact, I believe I still have a few pounds that I decided will be gone within the month! Anyway...The one problem about pregnancy and breastfeeding is that you get so used to eating whatever you want! I thought I would gain weight when I stopped breastfeeding, but I never did. This is why I believe I didn't. First, I gradually weened both children. 1 less breast-type feeding every week. That made it easier for me to gradually stop eating as much! hahahaha. Also, nature makes it easier as well. You simply won't be as hungry Andrea. Believe me, you won't need to mentally adjust your portions as much as you think. Your stomach will help you adjust. You just won't WANT to eat as much.
Thank you for the tip--that is great to know!!! The entire pregnancy experience (and afterwards) continues to facsinate me. Nature is amazing. And, by the way, I saw you in March and you don't look like you have any pregnancy weight left on you at all!
With my first baby, I actually gain back the weight I lost after I stop breastfeeding...but that's because I started eating all those junk foods that I avoided while breastfeeding. With the second one, I just continue to avoid the junkies and now I'm even lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight....the only problem left is my big tummy. :)
seriously? more than one grand of calories? wow. good for you!
It worked for me too! I miss the baby stage though...
Great news for me since I gained 67 pounds during my pregnancy. Keep drinking my little angel, keep drinking :)
I lost weight too when I was breastfeeding, but I have to stop it at 6 mos cos my milk started producing less and my son didn't get enough. Since then i gain weight, with all those junk foods and soda. Well good for you, no need for exercise to lose all that fat. and breastmilk always best for baby.
Hello Andrea! I know what you are saying. That happened to me with my youngest. I didn't notice it with my eldest but with the youngest, I was so wishing to go back to my ideal weight because I felt so heavy all the time. Then I noticed my weight dropping.
I lost all my pregnancy weight by breasfeeding. I have five children and miraculously I have returned to my old body!
I thank breastfeeding.
It is true, my sister lose weight also. Breast feeding not only gives your child the best nutrients he or she needs but also it develops a bond between mother and child. The best part is it also slims you down.
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