PP and Breastfeeding?
 

Hi. I've been trying to lose weight after my baby, and doing a gentle version of PP. I researched a little online about low carb eating and breastfeeding and the answers are really mixed. Has anyone done both? Does anyone know whether the quality of the milk is altered? I'm keeping my calories up, and drinking lots.

Thanks,
N

Hi, I'm new to this board, but I just noticed this thread and that nobody had responded to it. I'm also breastfeeding, my dd is 3 months old now. I haven't noticed a problem with the quantity or quality of milk--I really think as long as you're getting plenty of protein, you'll be fine. I do notice that I'm hungrier than I expected, and I am eating way more than the minimum amount of protein, but as long as I'm careful with carbs, I still lose.

I did notice a significant decrease in the amount of my milk supply when I started LCing. This was after just even a day of lower carbs (maybe 60 carbs?). :/ So I stopped...I'm just dying to start again though because I NEED TO LOSE THIS WEIGHT! She's almost 7 months now though and she's started on some solid foods, so I won't be needing as much milk.

I did Atkins/PP while nursing my daughter 7 years ago.

I always produced a ton of milk, so I didn't notice any reduction in my supply. My daughter did just fine and is now a happy healthy 7 year old who- funny enough- out of all my kids loves high protein food way more than my other 3. Give her a chunk of meat or nuts as a food option and she'll choose it over other things every time.

The kid is as healthy as a horse. Hope this helps.

For more encouragement I thought I would respond. I started atkins when my daughter was a year old and eating solids. I lost a little over 40 pounds in 6 months and both of us are looking good.

Im not sure what happens if your baby totally relies on your milk but I had tried to do it earlier on and felt faint and knew it wasn't right for me at that time.

good luck.

Well, as long as you are able to produce fats/protein in your milk your on top of the game! Of course you will not want to skimp on those low carb veggie favorites. Like Broccoli, Green Leaf Lettuce, Cauliflower, and Asparagus, to get some vita nutrition in there too. At this early development of your baby it is most important to incorporate the fats and proteins as this is what builds your baby's brain, and body!

Most conventional doctors will say to not low carb at any phase of pregnancy or nursing. However, this isn't the conventional forum. Our human history tells us so much about what we should put into our body's to build strong and healthy baby's. Fats and proteins are the way to go!

My baby is happy, healthy and thriving and I stick to mainly low carb with her diet. She's almost 2 years old now though. And is a pretty finicky eater. I go with what she'll actually eat these days more than what it contains. However, I'm a mom. I'm always thinking about her health as priority no matter what I put on her plate.

:hiya:

PS I'd also like to give myself a big pat on the back. She hasn't had a cold in over a year now. That's saying a lot for an active toddler who will eat cheese off the floor! =)~

You'll be fine. Your baby will be healthy with whole foods. PP isn't as low carbs as Atkins. Good luck!

Atkins said not to breast feed while in ketosis... he didn't say it was bad or unsafe, he said not enough was known about ketones in breast milk for him to say it was safe. So he erred on the side of caution and suggested that women eat enough carbohydrate to not be in ketosis while pg or bf'ing.

I certainly don't know the answer... but I thought I'd throw that out there because it's the only thing I remember reading about low carb diets and breastfeeding.