Fall 2006 ~ Low Carb Nursing Mommas

[metroames]

Hi ladies! It was good to see so many newbies join this thread last month! I hope that this thread will become more active and we can get to know each other as we nurse our babies and lose the baby fat.

I'm still nursing my son and I'm 30 weeks pregnant and hoping to tandem nurse in a few months! I'm not exactly doing low carb, but lower than most people (~150 carbs)! I'm obviously not losing weight either, so I will be more of a lurker for the next few months. But I would love to answer questions if you need help with low carbing or breastfeeding.

Ames

This thread was originally started by LunaAshling, but she is busy with a little one of her own so I took the liberty to start the fall thread. Here is the info about the thread:

Originally Posted by LunaAshling

to the group ladies!

Some of you may remember me from early 2003 when I ran the "Mommies and Nummies". It has come back and forth over the years and alot of people still ask me to start it up again. So here we are!

I am a WAHM mom with three boys (13yrs, 4yrs and an April baby). My 4 year old weaned at 3 1/2 when I became pregnant. I am the last person on earth that I would have EVER thought would end up an extended nurser! It has been an interesting road!

Most of our early "Nummies" threads are gone now... along with a ton of great info! But there are still some left and you may browse them here:

January - April 2006: January - April 2006 for "Present and Soon To Be" Nursing Moms

September 2005: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/s...ad.php?t=375062

August 2005 (a great month): http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/s...ad.php?t=369524

January 2005: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/s...ad.php?t=306748

Links to a few of the old threads in 2003 & 2004: http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/s...threadid=306745

Here are the Nummies rules:

Every mom on here is looking for support, help and advice on breastfeeding. Every mom on here has chosen their own lowcarb path and some moms may or may not eat the way you do and some may even choose ketosis. Our goal here is NOT to flame anyone but to SUPPORT all moms in staying healthy through lowcarb living and to help them breastfeed as well as they possibly can. If you can NOT deal with varying points of thought.... LEAVE now. If you don't agree... then walk away.

If you come in negative and flame moms... you are out. If you get nasty you WILL be reported!

[MicheleS]

Hi Ames!
Thanks for starting this thread!
Michele

[moonmirror]

Hi, I'll jump in.

I'm happily nursing my four month old girl, and I am doing an Atkins-y type of WOE to get this forty pounds off. I eat:

Meat, fish, eggs and cheese, any amount I want until satisfied
Any low to lower carb veggie I want, any amount I need/want
Half and half, butter, mayo, olive oil, etc.

I don't know how many carbs I'm eating. For instance, last night I made a terrific lowcarb coleslaw, so I ate two big servings.

I'm also running about every other day, 1-3 miles.

I have two other daughters; nine and seven.

Pretty soon I may go back to work just a little bit (on-call once a week or so, I'm a nurse) so I'm working on pumping. The pump I bought isn't working...its an Evenflo, and it doesn't have enough suction, so I'm experimenting with manual expression. Yesterday I was able to get about 1 1/2 ounces out that way. I may call La Leche to see how to fine-tune it so I can get more out that way. I don't want to buy another pump. I already bought one!! They're expensive!! (Grr...I'm irritated about that)

Good luck ladies.

[Eden]

Well, my baby girl is 9 months old and I am breast feeding her mornings and nights....well....I messed up last night. I had a late dinner of anchilata's and then my girl woke up at 11pm so I nursed her back to sleep or so I thought. We were both up with heart burn until 5:30 in the morning! I learned my lesson...never again!! My poor girl was crying ALL-night long!

[brilliant100]

Hi All,

I am pumping after giving birth prematurely (23 weeks 6 days). My baby is in the NICU at a local hospital. Thankfully, she is stable.

Right now I am using a rented pump from the hospital but I did purchase a Evenflow to use at work. Based on comments made above about that pump I may return it as I have not opened it yet. I need lots of suction too inorder to express the milk. I guess I will have to invest in a more expensive pump. Can anyone recommend a pump that they know has a lot of suction for a reasonable price?

[Eden]

Brilliant100, Prayers for you and your babies health

[MicheleS]

Originally Posted by brilliant100

Hi All,

I am pumping after giving birth prematurely (23 weeks 6 days). My baby is in the NICU at a local hospital. Thankfully, she is stable.

Right now I am using a rented pump from the hospital but I did purchase a Evenflow to use at work. Based on comments made above about that pump I may return it as I have not opened it yet. I need lots of suction too inorder to express the milk. I guess I will have to invest in a more expensive pump. Can anyone recommend a pump that they know has a lot of suction for a reasonable price?

Congrats on your little one.

I know that it seems like a lot of $$ but I have a Medela Pump-in-Style (PIS)and love it! (This is actually my 2nd one... I had a PIS when they 1st came out yrs ago and then passed it on thinking that I wasn't having any more babies.)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...entPage=search

Anywhoo, it may seem expensive but it will save you literally hundreds of $ in the long run when you can avoid formula. Sometimes insurance will pay for it if your ped will write your little one a perscription for it (ie, a perscription for breastmilk). Talk to the lactation consultant at the hosp and she'll help you figure out how to get it paid for!!

Another cheaper option that I've heard good things about is the Advent Isis. This is supposed to be a good battery operated option.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...entPage=search

I've used the Medela Harmony (a manual pump) and have been successful with that one too.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...entPage=search

Generally speaking: Gerber, Playtex, and Evenflow pumps have the reputation of being crap... So, I'd stay away from those!

I've heard good things about the Ameda Purely Yours... It is *supposed* to be as good as the PIS but for less $ but I haven't tried it.
http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/63/sid/8034

All-in-all, I'd vote for the PIS!

Keep us updated on your little one! (FWIW~ I think that she is so lucky that you are pumping for her! My 1st was a preemie.. though older than yours... and I'm so glad that I pumped for him...)

Michele

[mandyhoward]

I'm not nursing, but I wanted to pop in and tell Brilliant to definately check with your insurance company. If they fight you on it, some neos will write a prescription for your baby to have breastmilk and for you to pump. When my ds was in the NICU, I rented a Medela Symphony from the hospital and it was awesome. I could get 6-8 ounces in a sitting from that thing!

I'll be keeping your sweet baby in my prayers.

Mandy

[brilliant100]

Eden & Mandy - Thanks!

MicheleS - I am renting a hosptial grade pump but the thing weighs about 15 pounds and I did not want to lug it back and forth between home and work. I wanted something light to keep at work and take on our honeymoon.

The hospital submitted a letter to my insurance to try and get the pump rental paid for. I may have to pay out of pocket for the portable pump and keep renting the other one. Any thoughts about this?

I need to do something quick cuz since returning to work (Monday) I have been pumping only three times a day. I dont want my milk supply to dry up. I plan to return the Evenflow this week since I never even opened the box.

[Stash'sWife]

Hi everyone!

I have two girls, 2.5 yrs old and seven months.

I am eating low-carbish to get this baby weight off for good!

I am so glad to be in control of my hunger~FINALLY.

I look forward to reading all of the success stories here.

Congratulations to all you new mommas!!!

My hand-operated pump had what I THOUGHT was "not enough suction" until I realized that I didn't have a good "seal" on my breast w/the pump. By moistening the "horn" part, I was able to get MUCH better suction.

ANYHOO...I hope that helps...

Take care everyone!

[NoMorePlus]

Hi! I'm Jenn, nursing my 10m old daughter. She still nurses primarily as her food source (8-10x/day). I have never been one of those mamas who lose weight while nursing, instead I have a voarcious appetite and always gain. (I also have a 5yo son that I nursed for 27m).

I just started back at Atkins on Saturday, after losing 80 lbs in 2003-2004 and gaining most of it back. I am not trying to be in ketosis, but I do feel the metallic taste so I think I am. So far, DD has not seemed to notice anything. We'll see how it goes.

AS far as pumps, I would definitely take back the Evenflo. They are notoriously bad pumps. Same as the gerber, first years, etc. Stick with Medela, Purely Yours, Whisper Wear or Avent. Look on craigslist for your area, I always see people selling barely used Medela Pump In Styles on there for cheap. You can boil and dishwash the parts to sterilize them, no problem. I personally have a Purely Yours pump that I used 5yrs ago for my son and occassionally now. Its a great, portable pump and cheaper than the PIS.

So what are you guys doing for exercise? I have an elliptical downstairs that I am trying to use daily. But on the days that I cant work out during her nap, I have been trying to walk with the baby. My neighborhood has a lot of hills, so I think I got a pretty kick butt workout walking for 40 mins today.

Anyway, look forward to chatting with you ladies! I have my first weigh in on Saturday, wish me luck!

[metroames]

Originally Posted by brilliant100

Can anyone recommend a pump that they know has a lot of suction for a reasonable price?

I have a Pump In Style Advanced. It's a bit more pricey than the regular PIS, but it is a real work horse. I would overflow the bottles in less than 20 minutes during my peak milk production. I think I paid about $300 over 2 years ago for it. I can even still pump now with it despite not having much left because of preggo hormones working against me. My son had a cold this week and wouldn't nurse and I was able to pump out a decent amount of colostrum in less than 5 minutes. I didn't want to go longer than that for fear of inducing contractions with that powerful thing, LOL! Thank goodness he latched back on yesterday.....I was afraid he was going to wean.

Ames

[moonmirror]

I really wish that I could return the pump. But I don't have the receipt (stupid me!!!) and now I can't find one of the little pieces to it. It has been a huge headache. I tried before to get a good seal, but it didn't work. The weird thing is that it worked for awhile at first, and then once when I was using it the motor in it suddenly lost a bunch of power, like it was still running but not with the same strength.

I have a gift card for Babies R Us that has fifty dollars left on it. I was planning to save the money for clothes or diapers, but maybe I'll go get another pump. My La leche book says you can manually express milk if you get the right technique, but I have really tried and I can only get out an ounce.

So should I just go buy another pump? Also, how much does it cost to rent one? I won't be away from the baby that often, so I'll probably only need about three bottles a week.

On the diet front: I was so overeating lowcarb!!! I had to start counting points. Then I figured as long as I'm counting points, I might as well add in a couple slices of protein bread a day. So far so good, I'm down two pounds in a couple days. Still running and LOVING the running. Exercise is so important!!!

[Stash'sWife]

Exercise. Hmmm. Well, er, lets just say I have been eating well and still need to work the exercise part in!

I have a bazillion excuses, doncha know...

But I am WAY more inclined to DO exercise now. I feel way better and "lighter on my feet" when I eat this way!

It kind of stinks I live way out in the country. I would love to go for a walk with the babes but I have no sidewalks here and I would have to walk in the road. (a highway) NOT PRACTICAL.

So, maybe I will get out a workout video...

Moon,



Do you have a local la leche league?

They may be able to diagnose your "technique" issue.

Fifty bucks is a pretty good discount on a pump, but I'd check out craigslist or ebay or something, myself, as you could get one pretty cheap and save that gift card!

After all, for three bottles a week, you don't necessarily need to spend the big $, kwim?

I pump twice a week for dd, and she doesn't even take it most times (just likes to fuss for Daddy, I suppose).

I got a used pis from my sister.

[EllieKat]

I just wanted to say hi and join in. My name is Elissa... mom to 3 beautiful boys (if I do say so myself) ages 10 years, 5 years and 17 mos. I'm still nursing my 17 mo. old (2-3x a day) and I just started Atkins (again) yesterday. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and to get some tips on eating healthy while nursing and TTC.

[Rebecca21904]

Hi everyone! I'm Rebecca with a 5 month old nursling. I want to start low-carbing again. I lost alot of weight before I became pregnant last year on low-carb but not sure of the effects on my milk supply. My daughter is still exclusively breastfed not having had any solids yet and my milk supply is well established... how low carb can one go without seeing it effect the supply?

Thanks girls!

[Stash'sWife]

Rebecca,

I don't know what you will find out there wrt "studies" on milk supply/low carb lifestyle. I don't think it is something studied much.

Hopefully, all the wonderful ladies here can share with you thier life experiences...

Mine is that I have noticed NO decrease in supply while limiting my carb intake.

However, while I am eating what MOST people would call low carb, I am probably consuming more carbs than what would be allowed on, say, Atkins.

Frankly, I just don't keep track.

I eat only Sara Lee Delightful whole grain bread or else lc tortillas, and when I have them I only have 2 slices or pieces per day.

The rest of the time I eat from a list of "legal" foods that I have in my head (I lived Atkins super-strict for 2 years and know the ins and outs of LC pretty well) but don't limit quanities at ALL.

Therefore, I know I am getting carbs from things like 1/2 and 1/2 I put in my coffee and I allow myself peanut butter and stuff.

So, in other words, I am no help at all! LOL!!!!

[CatieTN]

HI all, I'm Cate and nursing my little almost 4 month old. I have a question about exercise...we belong to the Y and they have a little play place for the kids, I want to start working out again! I've heard babies don't like the breastmilk after exercise? Is this true and should I express the milk directly afterwards? I'm confused! TIA~Cate

[Rebecca21904]

My 5 month old has never refused the breast after exercise or acted like she didnt like it... I guess you would have to see how he responds and take it from there... you will def want to express the milk if he does refuse to keep up your supply.

[MicheleS]

Hi everyone!
I'm so glad this grp has grown!
To add my own experiences...
Re exercise: None of my babies ever seemed to care. They'd nurse regardless of whether I had exercised. When my supply was highest (when baby was 3-7 mos) I found it more comfortable to exercise when I was most empty.

Re carb ct: I'm eating ~50 gms per day and haven't experienced a drop in supply... My "baby" is 17 mos though. I don't have any experience going much below 80 grms per day with a younger baby. With that said, I *think* I read a study where babies did fine as long a LC mommas were consuming extra calories to compensate for LC.

Welcome to everyone!
Michele

[metroames]

Bumping this up!

to all the newbies!

Well, I am feeling more confident that I will be a tandem momma here next month. Grant is still nursing twice a day and has even increased his time at the breast in the last few weeks. His loose stools from the colostrum are proof. The only thing I'm concerned about is the fact that we will be sending Grant to Iowa to spend with grandparents a week before my due date, because we don't have anyone to take care of him otherwise. I definately don't want them hanging around here. I think I would find that a major inhibitor to going into labor. I will continue to pump at the regular nursing times to keep my oxytocin levels the same....or maybe pump longer to increase them, hehe.

My hope is that one or two weeks of not nursing won't make him forget or refuse when he comes back. As of now, I am the one who always initiates it and if I didn't he probably wouldn't even bat an eye. Once I get him on my lap he latches on right away though. I have a strong feeling that he won't hesistate and jump right up on my lap and try to push the baby away when the time comes. He gets very jealous when my husband tries to give me attention (hug, kiss, backrub, etc) and comes and pushes us apart and wants me to hold him. I can imagine how he is going to feel having to share what he thought has been just his! How it will all play out will be interesting to say the least!

On the eating front I am doing excellent. I had one indulgence in the past month and that was a carmel apple. I love having one at the time of the year. Otherwise, my calories have been around 2400 and my carbs around 150. I am only eating whole foods with mostly stevia and a little splenda for sweetners. The scale is still showing about a half pound gain a week, so that's cool. It sucks to be eating less now that before I got pregnant and still gaining weight, though. I can't wait to see the pounds fly off if I get to nurse two babies!

Ames

[CatieTN]

Thanks girls for the advice on exercising....I tried it and he didn't seem to mind so I guess I don't have any excuse to get my butt moving now!
I have to go out of town for 2 days next week for work! DH is going to have his hands full...I'm bringing my pump with me to keep up my supply...I hope to have enough time to pump enough to keep it up

[krisiee]

I have a question for all you nursing moms. I am due to restart certain meds 2weeks after I have the baby (hopefully tomorrow, I am supposed to be induced). I am a pharmacy tech so I am educated on my meds and life of the med in my system, things like that. I would like to pump exclusively after the initial 2 weeks so the baby will not get certain meds in her system. I would like to know what pump you all recommend and any advice about pumping you can give me.

[lil miss]

Hi

Can I join? I am breastfeeding my 5 month old and trying to LC after trying to just eat healthy and trying WW informally. I loathe lowfat! I manipulated WW, sneaky evilt hat I am. Anyway, I loston LC int he past, I historically DONT Lose while breastfeeding but I am trying now although, as someone mentioned, I am VERY wary of going too low in carbs so basically I eat meat, cheese, eggs, some fruit [apple] and veggies. Not a lot of change sin my weight lately. I am exercising, walking working my way back up to running [if only my damn sportsbra fit ] and lifting weights.

I look forward to getting to know all of you

[metroames]

Originally Posted by krisiee

I have a question for all you nursing moms. I am due to restart certain meds 2weeks after I have the baby (hopefully tomorrow, I am supposed to be induced). I am a pharmacy tech so I am educated on my meds and life of the med in my system, things like that. I would like to pump exclusively after the initial 2 weeks so the baby will not get certain meds in her system. I would like to know what pump you all recommend and any advice about pumping you can give me.

I'll be honest with you.....2 weeks is not enough time to establish a good nursing relationship. I would say 6 weeks is optimum for builiding that relationship. Your milk may not even come in for 3-5 days postpardum. So you are talking really a week and a half of real nursing time. You also want to make sure that the baby gains back to their birth weight by the end of the second week as they can lose up to 10% of their body weight those f