How to regain previous hip size / Diet for BFing

[MeredithZ]

Hi! I'm about 10 weeks post partum and working out fairly regularly (3-5 times per week, weights and cardio), and I've lost a good amount of my pregnancy weight, but my hips are still too wide for me to fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I have about six weeks before I return to work and I NEED to fit into my suits. I can't afford to buy new ones. I was thinking that running might do the trick, so I started running 2 - 3 times per week. Does anyone here have suggestions and/or success stories?

Also, what diet did you follow for breastfeeding? I'm concerned about dieting and its potential effects on my production. I feel like I already am on the "low" end of production, so I really don't want to cut out carbs (which is what I have previously done to lose weight).

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[lindzebird]

Hi Meredith,

This is some good information from a nutrition text which explains the need for calories during breastfeeding.

"The RDA for calories is about 25% higher for breastfeeding women than for other women. Actually, a breastfeeding woman needs about 40% more calories than the RDA for women who are not breastfeeding, but she does not have to consume that level of calories from food. Energy supplied from fat stores that normally accumulate during pregnancy contributes to meeting these needs during breastfeeding, so not all of the calories must come from the mother's diet.

Increases in hunger and food intake that accompany breastfeeding generally take care of meeting caloric needs. Failure to consume enough calories from food can decrease milk production, however. Low-calorie diets (those providing less than 1500 calories per day) and weight loss that exceeds 1.5 to 2 pounds per week-even in women with a good supply of fat stores-can reduce the amount of milk women produce."

Generally the weight loss on low-carb diets in the beginning is mostly water, which I think is pretty important for adequate production of milk. It also would produce an excess of ketones in the body which, in my opinion may be harmful to the baby. (Although, I may be wrong) I think maybe it would be most appropriate to talk to a registered dietitian or nutritionist to help you develop a diet that will be optimal for you.

Please remember your body took 9 months carrying that little baby of yours and it's going to need more time to regain its former shape. Focus on the miracle of the life you've been blessed with, and maybe wear those skits which are a little loser (or maybe invest in a girdle which can help tighten things up a little while you're body is working on returning to where you'd like it to be.)

Hope this helps!
Lindzebird

 

[emy]

Hey - I had the same issue with my hips post partum. I asked about this when I was post partum too, and no one had an answer for me.

I was losing my excess weight by breastfeeding, but it was my hip bones, not fat, that were preventing me from getting into my normal pants. I think my pelvic and hip bones must have spread out (I don't know if this happens to everyone because I've never heard anyone else around here mention this) and it just took a while for them to return back to their normal position. I believe it took about 4 months - maybe a little less than that. I know it is frustrating because you can lose all the weight you want and still have no control over this! So, the answer to your question is TIME and not weightloss.

As for my breastfeeding diet, I ate the foods I like, just more of them. I am vegetarian and eat lots of fruits and vegetables and beans and nuts and milk and whole grains. But after my healthy dinners, I always like my dessert! I had a very abundant supply of milk on my diet.

Good luck!

 

[MeredithZ]

Thank you, both for your replies!

Emy, I'm glad to hear that eventually your hips got back down to their normal size. (It is my biggest fear, since I was already pretty hippy to start with.) It sounds like you didn't do anything out of the ordinary, then? Just sort of waited it out? Let me know.

Linda, thanks so much for the info on the caloric intake. Very interesting reading!

Anyone else? Please!!!!