Exercise & breastfeeding

[Isadora]

I'm just wondering how much exercise you can do and what kind of exercise before it starts to affect your supply? I have been using the treadmill, bike and doing zumba.

This may be tmi, but this morning I spent about 45 mins at the gym on the machines, and when I took my bra off at home I was sore and milk just started gushing out. I had a similar thing happen during the week after another work out. This doesnt normally happen.

Then I am wondering seeing as it all gushed out, would I then have not had enough for DD, seeing as I had to feed her 10 mins after this happened?

Sorry for so many BF questions.

[helle]

I don't know why it gushed out, but I know what comes out is replaced. so you still would have had enough for your DD. If not, she just would have made up for it somewhere down the line

[~me~]

I started back at the gym when DD was 4mths old. I used to feed her beforehand so I was empty (and so that I could put my sports bra on ).
I am not sure why you were gushing out, other than perhaps you had a let down while you were exercising, I used to get let downs when I thought of DD.
You willl find your supply will be fine, just keep going as you were and she will get plenty.

[onthefly]

Exercise is fine. Feeding beforehand is a good idea for your own comfort. Don't worry if you leak - you'll just make more.
Make sure you keep your fluids up

[Isadora]

Thanks girls. Been feeding her just before I go.

Ok silly question, what is the 'let down'? Is this the tingly sensation I feel when I think of feeding her and when she cries etc? Also am I meant to feel it at some point during feeding?

[~me~]

Thanks girls. Been feeding her just before I go.

Ok silly question, what is the 'let down'? Is this the tingly sensation I feel when I think of feeding her and when she cries etc? Also am I meant to feel it at some point during feeding?

Yep exactly that. It's a funny feeling. I used to get it the start or just before feeding her or during the day when I wasn't feeding her and she cried and was due for feed, it was more noticeable (the tingly feeling).

[Catherine]

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/excercise.html

As for let down (no such thing as a silly uestion btw):
Yes that tingling feeling is let down

This comes from the ABA booklet "An introduction to Breastfeeding":

The let down reflex makes most of the milk in your breasts available to your baby. There are cells around the alveoli that can contract and squeeze out the milk, pushing it down the ducts towards the nipple...The letdown reflex is a response to your baby's suckling. It may happen if you see or hear your baby or even just think about him. It can also be triggered by feeling your breast and nipple area with your fingers or by using a breast pump...Let downs usually occur more than once during a feed; however most mothers will only notice the first. These other let downs occur in response to changes in a baby's suckling. Some mothers feel the let down in early days or weeks, but later find that the feeling goes away.

[KimmyF]

not sure why the milk was gushing out but as long as you drink plenty of water and have something to eat within half an hour of finishing exercising your supply should be fine, (at least that was the advice i was given)
Never be sorry for asking questions thats what BB is all about and go you treadmill for 45 minutes impressive

[Isadora]

haha at a very slow speed and no incline KimmyF!!!

Thanks girls. I really dont know much about breastfeeding! Learning as I go