breastfeeding

stacyevan · 03-01-2003, 01:59 PM

I lost 30 pounds on Atkins before I became pregnant with my second child. Once I became pregnant I stopped doing Atkins I had my baby in Aug and have been nursing him for 6 months. I have started weaning him. He nurses 2 times a day and gets the rest of his food from baby food, formula and cereal. Does anyone know if its safe for me to continue nursing him twice a day and do the induction phase of Atkins? This is the first time I've posted a message so I'm not sure how this works. Thanks Stacyevan

smiley · 03-01-2003, 02:49 PM

Hi Stacy,
Welcome!! This is one of those difficult questions and something you have to weigh the pro's and con's to for yourself. But I will give you my thoughts (and try to keep them semi-brief).

First, my experience: I low carbed for one full year, lost 45 pounds, down to my goal wieght, when I got pregnant with Baby #1. I continued to low carb at maintainence levels throughout my pregnancy, gained 25 pounds exactly and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I continued to low carb while breastfeeding her. I stayed low carb and became pregnant again (on purpose!) when she was 9 months old. I've gained a bit more weight this time, as I've indulged a little too much. But I'm still low carbing, I have one healthy daughter and I'm pregnant with #2.

Ok, So now to your question: Dr Atkin's says that you should not try to lose weight while pregnant or breastfeeding and therefore warns against induction. I would agree that induction is not necessary. BUT, I definitely think you can low carb and be pregnant and/or nurse. If you are familiar with low carb (which it appears you have experience with), I would just start small by eliminating pure sugars and really bad starches. I think by 6 months, if you've started introducing solids that a gradual change in your diet should not affect the taste of your milk or affect your son. Some people may tell you that Ketones can get into your breast milk, but I must tell you that I have never found a clinical study to confirm this... And I've looked a lot. If you should find that your son is more fussy or acting any differently, then you may need to reconsider changing yourself back to a "regular" diet, but I haven't seen that reaction in anyone I've spoken with. (although, I admit that this topic does not come up too often).

I would never do anything to risk my unborn or born children and I feel strongly that low carbing is safe. I would, however, avoid changing my diet from "normal" to strict low carb because a dramatic change in a short period may affect your supply or the taste of your milk. I do think making small changes, like avoiding sugar, may help you lose weight and you can still nurse your baby.

Please feel free to ask any other questions or concerns you might have There are others here who are breastfeeding, some stricter than others regarding low carb. I think you need to make the best decision that you feel is for you. Good luck and keep posting.

LunaAshling · 03-07-2003, 08:33 PM

I normally do not read this board, but got bored and decided to browse it.

I am bf'ing my baby while on OWL and there have been ZERO effects to him. I too have never found any studies that confirm the ketosis/breast milk sayings. I am under the impression that most people say to avoid everything while pg and bf for two reasons...one being that there are not enough studies on it and two that they are afraid of legal problems. I mean who wants to tell a pregnant or bf'ing lady to do something...with the slightest chance that something could go wrong...even if common sense says otherwise!

If you are concerned stick to OWL or Maintenance. But also consider this...there are many cultures around the world where the women are in ketosis constantly (a mostly protein/fat diet)...even through pregnancy. All of their children are not deformed!

Like I said I am not having any problems...so it is up to you to decide! But think of this....how could eating this healthy have a bad effect? If you knew nothing about low carb and had no idea what ketosis was....but say you just decided to eat more chicken and salad and cut out sugar...every doctor would aplaud you...you might also be in ketosis and never know it! How could eating that way be bad for anyone?

Good luck!

PS...my baby and older son also eat "lower carb"...and their behaviour is sooooo much better now! The kids do not need the bad carbs anymore than we do...sugar and white flour only harm us all!

smiley · 03-07-2003, 08:48 PM

Angela,
Thankyou so much for your input, I couldn't agree more.

Come visit this board anytime you like and we hope that you are full fledged "Maintaining at Goal" member soon!! Good luck to you and your little ones.

03-07-2003, 08:33 PM	#3
LunaAshling Queen of the Planet of Redheads Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Here, no really. Posts: 3,685 Gallery: LunaAshling Stats: 2??/???/130-ish @ 5'5 WOE: Atkins/Weston Price Start Date: 3rd times the charm! 11/08	I normally do not read this board, but got bored and decided to browse it. I am bf'ing my baby while on OWL and there have been ZERO effects to him. I too have never found any studies that confirm the ketosis/breast milk sayings. I am under the impression that most people say to avoid everything while pg and bf for two reasons...one being that there are not enough studies on it and two that they are afraid of legal problems. I mean who wants to tell a pregnant or bf'ing lady to do something...with the slightest chance that something could go wrong...even if common sense says otherwise! If you are concerned stick to OWL or Maintenance. But also consider this...there are many cultures around the world where the women are in ketosis constantly (a mostly protein/fat diet)...even through pregnancy. All of their children are not deformed! Like I said I am not having any problems...so it is up to you to decide! But think of this....how could eating this healthy have a bad effect? If you knew nothing about low carb and had no idea what ketosis was....but say you just decided to eat more chicken and salad and cut out sugar...every doctor would aplaud you...you might also be in ketosis and never know it! How could eating that way be bad for anyone? Good luck! PS...my baby and older son also eat "lower carb"...and their behaviour is sooooo much better now! The kids do not need the bad carbs anymore than we do...sugar and white flour only harm us all! __________________ Back and losing the "toddler" weight... everytime I "lc" I get pg. LC EBF'ing with an ANA food allergic toddler.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-01-2003, 01:59 PM	#1
stacyevan Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1 Gallery: stacyevan	breastfeeding I lost 30 pounds on Atkins before I became pregnant with my second child. Once I became pregnant I stopped doing Atkins I had my baby in Aug and have been nursing him for 6 months. I have started weaning him. He nurses 2 times a day and gets the rest of his food from baby food, formula and cereal. Does anyone know if its safe for me to continue nursing him twice a day and do the induction phase of Atkins? This is the first time I've posted a message so I'm not sure how this works. Thanks Stacyevan

03-01-2003, 02:49 PM	#2
smiley Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Frankfort, Illinois Posts: 850 Gallery: smiley Stats: 170/125-130/130 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: February 2000	Hi Stacy, Welcome!! This is one of those difficult questions and something you have to weigh the pro's and con's to for yourself. But I will give you my thoughts (and try to keep them semi-brief). First, my experience: I low carbed for one full year, lost 45 pounds, down to my goal wieght, when I got pregnant with Baby #1. I continued to low carb at maintainence levels throughout my pregnancy, gained 25 pounds exactly and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I continued to low carb while breastfeeding her. I stayed low carb and became pregnant again (on purpose!) when she was 9 months old. I've gained a bit more weight this time, as I've indulged a little too much. But I'm still low carbing, I have one healthy daughter and I'm pregnant with #2. Ok, So now to your question: Dr Atkin's says that you should not try to lose weight while pregnant or breastfeeding and therefore warns against induction. I would agree that induction is not necessary. BUT, I definitely think you can low carb and be pregnant and/or nurse. If you are familiar with low carb (which it appears you have experience with), I would just start small by eliminating pure sugars and really bad starches. I think by 6 months, if you've started introducing solids that a gradual change in your diet should not affect the taste of your milk or affect your son. Some people may tell you that Ketones can get into your breast milk, but I must tell you that I have never found a clinical study to confirm this... And I've looked a lot. If you should find that your son is more fussy or acting any differently, then you may need to reconsider changing yourself back to a "regular" diet, but I haven't seen that reaction in anyone I've spoken with. (although, I admit that this topic does not come up too often). I would never do anything to risk my unborn or born children and I feel strongly that low carbing is safe. I would, however, avoid changing my diet from "normal" to strict low carb because a dramatic change in a short period may affect your supply or the taste of your milk. I do think making small changes, like avoiding sugar, may help you lose weight and you can still nurse your baby. Please feel free to ask any other questions or concerns you might have There are others here who are breastfeeding, some stricter than others regarding low carb. I think you need to make the best decision that you feel is for you. Good luck and keep posting. __________________ Kimberly Started February 2000 170/125-130/130 Melissa Born 10-19-01 Amanda Born 04-18-03 baby Jack Born 01-08-2007

03-07-2003, 08:48 PM	#4
smiley Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Frankfort, Illinois Posts: 850 Gallery: smiley Stats: 170/125-130/130 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: February 2000	Angela, Thankyou so much for your input, I couldn't agree more. Come visit this board anytime you like and we hope that you are full fledged "Maintaining at Goal" member soon!! Good luck to you and your little ones.