BF & Working Out

[aqualuv]

Hello! I tried to do a search but I couldn't find a post.

If you BF and worked out prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy did you jump right back into your workout routine or did you slowly get back to it? I've heard about working out and/or dieting can affect your supply.

Prior to pregnancy I've done spin, barre and HIIT workouts. During pregnancy up to 20 weeks I did spin and yoga before being put on a exercise restriction. I'm 4 weeks PP and I'm eager to get back to working out. My plan is to do T25 on my lunch break with a spin or yoga class when I have time. I really don't want my supply to tank so I would love to hear your experience.

TIA!

[wavepool]

My problem (excuse?) was more that I was too exhausted from lack of sleep and adjusting to my new working mom routine. I learned quickly that it was so different for everyone and just had to try things and see if they changed my supply. It may help to track calories if you don't already so you can see how different calories, foods, and exercise might change your supply. Congratulations on the new baby!

[gibbinator]

Cutting calories while bf is generally not recommended (it's like during pregnancy you need more calories because you're still eating for two) but regular exercise once you're recovered is fine. You're only likely to effect your supply if you exercise to total exhaustion and/or don't hydrate sufficiently after working out.

[Deleted]

I was runner before pregnancy, during pregnancy and picked it up again at 6 weeks postpartum. I BF-ed for 13 months.

As long as you're eating enough, your exercise routine should have no effect on your supply.

[suburbanzookeeper]

I can workout to my heart's content (T25, yoga, PiYo, using the Tread Climber) but if I begin to really cut calories my supply flops. Everyone is different!

[smm5623]

I saw a decrease in my supply more with reduced calories than exercising with M. I did ease back into exercise post-partum starting around 8 weeks. It took me a couple months to get back to regular routine

[osulori]

Exercise didn't affect my supply either, the ensuing calorie deficit if I didn't eat to compensate did. I ran before I got pregnant and until 32 weeks pg (with lots of walking and some spin classes after)...I felt pretty good and the bleeding was stopped at 4 weeks pp so that's when I started trying to run again. I started out with slow, short runs but was able to build my distance back up without too much trouble. Regaining my speed has been harder, but that's more due to my lack of motivation

[sh10]

I teach fitness classes. I started back to teaching when DS was eight weeks. I do step, weightlifting, 2 aqua classes, and usually another class it a walk/run per week. I haven't restricted calories at all because BFing was so difficult to establish and I had supply issues, so I'd rather hang onto these last ten pounds until we wean than deal with trying to boost my supply again. I try to make sure to eat and drink a lot to keep my supply and energy up. Sometimes I am so exhausted but have to teach and the first five minutes of class are tough but at the end I'm so much more energized and happy I went (but I don't have a choice, lol). Ease into it, even though I worked out up until the day before I delivered, it was still hard to get back into it. Good luck!

[smock]

I started working out around 4-6w pp, and so far it hasn't affected my supply (I'm 12w pp now). You might need to ease back into it, and make sure you're eating enough calories. For me, it's really helped with my energy level!

[Jalapeñomel]

The key is that you have to eat a lot. Like a lot.

[shelbyann]

Working out has not affected my supply. But I'm not restricting my food intake at all and, uh, I still have lots of PG weight on me.