thread: Low Carbing immediately after birth?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2011
    18

    Low Carbing immediately after birth?

    I am looking at starting low carb again, but my bub is only 3 weeks old. In the past I have found low carb the easiest way to lose weight, I also found I had more energy on low carb (which I need right now!). Not 100% sure how I will go as it usually takes a bit more work to do low carb than grabbing any old thing. To help combat this I bought some low carb stuff from an online shop. I am going to try to make some of this stuff up in advance and freeze it so hopefully this will help.

    Wondering though, I now there are a lot of nutrients etc required by the body for both healing and producing breast milk. Should I be taking any supplements? I tried to ask my doctor in the hospital but he simple said he didnt believe in low carb, which was just plain unhelpful! Any advice appreciated.
    Last edited by Phteven; August 22nd, 2011 at 04:50 PM. : deleting link. pls read forum guidelines.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Aug 2011
    18

    oops sorry didnt realise links werent allowed. Who has time to read forum rules with a 4 week old ! hehe I wish I had more time

    After doing some research, apparently low carb is not the best idea while breastfeeding. I asked Bodytrim and they said it's not recommended for breast feeding mothers, not sure why as other research says effectively what you eat has nothing to do with breast milk (other than the no no's like booze etc).

    I've already ordered some great low carb stuff, so I may just cut down on carbs, instead of doing very low carb.

  3. #3

    Mar 2004
    Sparta
    12,662

    Complex carbs are a really important energy source. It's not that your milk would be inadequate just that you wouldn't have the energy to keep up with the demands of a tiny baby.

    TBH unless you have issues with metabolising food I don't thank low-carb is a great way to diet.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I can only speak from having a six month old, but when DS was 6 months old I agreed to trial a low carb diet with DH. My milk supply dropped so much. And I had an established feeding pattern. I only lasted a week.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Add CrazyLady on Facebook

    Aug 2009
    2,328

    I'd wait until bubs is at least 6 weeks old before trialling any diet. This is around when your milk supply is most likely established. Weight gain should be last of your priorities right now because you might need the extra weight with breastfeeding.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Ouiinslano
    5,303

    I'd wait until bubs is at least 6 weeks old before trialling any diet. This is around when your milk supply is most likely established. Weight gain should be last of your priorities right now because you might need the extra weight with breastfeeding.
    I'd wait until 12 weeks. Give your body some time to adjust. The baby weight will come off gradually.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Adelaide, SA
    3,962

    Personally I wouldn't diet until bubs was well over a year old, you may even find the weight has shifted before then anyway. Lots of exercise will help