Q&A: Nursing and weight loss

Heather writes:

"Do nursing moms really lose weight just by nursing or does that only happen to Hollywood moms? I eat like a health nut and chase two kids yet 9 months later I am gaining weight. WHY?????"

Well, I hate to say it, but not everyone loses weight while nursing. I think most people lose the baby weight over time (9-12 months), but some women seem to hold on to an extra 5-10 pounds until the baby stops nursing. I have no idea why--it's probably just genetics.

If, however, you're actually *gaining* weight a few months out post-partum, and you are being honest about your diet, then I'd 1) pee on a stick, 2) look at how much sleep you're getting, because lack of sleep causes weight gain, and 3) go to your doctor and get your hormones levels checked. Wacky hormones and your thyroid can cause weight gain, depression, sluggishness, etc.

Anecdotal stories of breastfeeding and weight loss? How long did it take you to lose the baby weight? Did you ever lose it? Did you lose more?

Comments

[Dr. Confused]

I breastfed for two years and after the initial postpartum loss I slowly gained weight. I just weaned a month ago and I don't know whether I'm gaining or losing weight or staying constant now, and other than that I hate buying new clothes, I don't really care. I'm fine with my body at whatever weight it equilibrates at.

If you want to work towards accepting your body, a good place to start is http://kateharding.net/ . They've started getting more fluffy lately, but the archives are gold.

[Sarah in Ottawa]

I have a bit of an unusual story - my tongue-tied son could never effectively latch, so I have been expressing milk since he was 3 days old (he's just past 13 months now); he is my first. I ended up with a WICKED oversupply (as in expressing over 1.5 L per day at the height)and as such, I lost the majority of the weight within 3 months and all of it within 6. That said, I had about 5-10 lbs to go before I hit my desired weight, and I was struggling to lose those lbs while expressing. And then I got pregnant again (almost 14 weeks now) so all bets are off.

[Steph]

With #1, breastfeeding didn't help me lose weight, but I admit that I wasn't really honest with what/how I was eating.

But with #2, I made a deal with myself that I'd eat healthy, real foods whenever I was hungry and only until I was pleasantly full. And that I'd get out and take a nice walk (as in a pleasant walk, not pushing myself) every day. I was shocked at how much I could eat and still lose weight. I thought how am I going to breastfeed this kid until she's 18 years old? :)

But I did hang onto those last 10 lbs. and I have to say they didn't go away even when I weaned. But I will admit that I haven't really worked at it.

Now at 9 months, could weight gain be perhaps because you aren't breastfeeding as much since the baby is conceivably eating solids? But maybe still eating the same quantities as if you were breastfeeding full-time? I know I tend to look at my diet over the past short-term and think well I was eating like this last month and there weren't any problems...

[sueinithaca]

I'm still working on beating it off with a stick, and my baby will be 3 next week. In my experience, I lost the baby weight with my first in 4 months. She was 100% formula fed. of course, I also had PPD that was causing me stomach problems and had been given a lecture on how fat I was by the midwife (note: I wasn't *that* fat) while I was in the hospital, so I was going on what a friend called "death marches" around town - put baby in carrier. Walk 3 miles. Continue. (is it any wonder I failed at BFing that one?)

With my second, I was 25 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant. I am now down to my prepregnancy weight from the first, but am nowhere near the second. My goal is actually 10lbs higher than I was when I got pregnant with the 2nd (that's the lowest I've been able to maintain consistently as an adult). I did gain and lose repeatedly with the second, who nursed until he was 2.5. A contributing factor was that I was taking domperidone as a galactagogue, which significantly increases appetite and affects metabolism.

Ad now the relevant part: in the last year that I was nursing, I found that I kept gaining weight (even though I was nursing and had a physically demanding job) and was seriously sluggish, kind of depressed, had joint pain, etc. After recognizing that it was a problem (this took about 8 months) the doctor and I went through many options. Thought it might be thyroid. nope. Lyme disease? Nope. Finally did some seriously comprehensive bloodwork and found out that I had a deficiency in vitamin D.

Vitamin D levels are correlated with body fat levels. From what I can tell, it's not certain whether low D levels contribute to weight gain because people with low D are often lethargic, depressed, and in pain. Or if weight gain causes low D because D is fat soluble and body fat deposits can act as a sink so that the vitamin isn't accessible to the body. Regardless, a supplement can help significantly. It's easy, doesn't really have a side effect, and they even come as gummy bears or chocolate chews if you're inclined that way (my kids are).

[C]

No time for a lot of detail, but with my third I had a Mirena, and WAS NOT losing a thing. Until I got it out, and lost 10 lbs within a month..

[flea]

As a metabolically-skinny person, I dipped to 5 pounds below pre-baby weight at the 9-10 month mark with both my kids (OMG the hunger those kids had), and had to work to keep weight on. Was back to normal weight by a year, even though I bfed for 2+ with each kid. Didn't menstruate with either until 15 months post-partum either.

[blue]

I think a lot of it depends on genetics and body type. For some, the weight just falls off and they morph back into the their old shape and size (with some tummy fluff and stretch marks added). Others, like me, get really big and hold onto that weight until some serious effort is made. Serious effort, by the way, which feels almost impossible and certainly not a priority if you're up all night with an infant and feeling hormonal swings, PPD, or just general exhaustion.

My data ponts: I breastfed for almost a year with each of my two kids and lost *some* of the pregnancy weight, very slowly. There came a point with each, though, when the weight stopped coming off and started going back on. I attributed this to utter sleep deprivation, depression, lack of control of the crazy appetite that come with nursing.

With each one, I didn't get it under control until after the babies had stopped nursing and were sleeping at night. Baby #2 is now 16 months old and I still have a long way to go before I'm back to my pre-first-preg. weight.

[Losing It slowly]

Here's another data point:

I actually lost weight at first - and then didn't for a few months with my now 8 month old. Once I got her to eating solids I lost a quite a bit more - I chalk it up to my breasts are finally evening out and getting smaller because I'm feeding her less. My boobs get HUGE with pregnancy and breastfeeding. So I'm feeding her 2 less meals with the boobies AND I'm eating less because I'm not as hungry with the not feeding her 24/7 from the boobies, my bra size is finally coming into somewhat of a human size and the weight is dropping elsewhere too.

Hollywood moms not only breastfeed, they hire nutrionists, chefs and personal trainers not to mention nannies. So they get their food prepared for them and aren't just grabbing whatever is handy to eat when you get a break from doing something with the baby. And have the nannies mean they are getting sleep which aids in weight loss and the nannies mean they have time to work out with the personal trainers.

[wealhtheow]

I've lost and put back on again. It's hard for me to be at home surrounded by yummy toddler food and still stick to reasonable portions. I'm making homemade biscuits and muffins, but they're all toddler-sized and I've found I'm eating far more of the little bites than I would if they were larger--it's too easy to loose track of them. Plus my little guy really is a little guy, so we have very calorie-dense, high-fat snacks around (nuts, whole milk, full-fat cheeses). So I think I'm going to have to go back to the tried-and-true method of writing down EVERYTHING I eat, because I think I'm going to be pretty shocked at just how many calories I'm actually consuming. That and make sure I'm eating at least 2 servings of fruits and veggies every day. I did that while I was nursing and lost weight effortlessly (the first and only time that's ever happened).

Part of my problem is getting motivated. I know I need to lose weight for health reasons (4 generations of diabetes in my family history, and my asthma has gotten significantly worse since I've put on so much weight). But it always feels like I can just start next month. Moxie, if you have the bandwidth, how about another challenge? That was really helpful in holding me accountable for the changes I wanted to make in my life.

[Jessie]

I'm actually 10lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight after bf-ing for 10 months. In my experience, the weight has sort of fallen off, and I eat like crazy.. mmm donuts..

[anna]

I lost SO much weight when initially breastfeeding. Within 3 months I was half a stone below pre-pregnancy weight, & I hadn't been large then. I looked skeletal, frankly! The weight loss definitely slowed off but it's only now, at 20 months, that I feel nursing isn't making any difference & I am actually back at pre-preg weight.

[Heather Freeman]

This would be the first thing I've ever had in common with a "Hollywood mom". I'd lost 100% of the baby weight within 4 months. I breastfed exclusively for over a year. I also co-slept, so was never massively sleep-deprived; that may have helped.

[Sheri]

With my first baby, the weight was off in two months and I even dropped below pre-preg. weight after that. She was a great eater and it was definitely the breastfeeding because I was eating whatever I wanted. With baby #2 it took about 4-5 months. However, I just had baby #3 in Oct and I'm still working on it. I have about 8-9 lbs to get to where I want to be. It is definitely getting harder as I get older. As someone else stated about the Mirena...that could be the difference for me because I had it put in this time and not the previous two...maybe it makes you hold on to a few extra. Who knows. I think everyone is different and you have to find out what works for you. Lucky for me I get to have to work for it this time! =(

[Shelby]

I lost all the weight within 4 months while almost exclusively pumping. I found carrying around that child was pretty good exercise. You do have to be careful about not taking advantage of the "extra 500 or so" calories you need while nursing. But, I'm sure it will be different for number 2. I didn't gain all that much preggo weight though and am naturally slim. It was all the fluid that they put into me in the hospital that accounted for a lot of it. Taking time for yourself is a good idea.

[AmyinMotown]

I'm weird this way, but if it helps someone: I have PCOS which leads to easy weight gain and difficult weight loss. I gained maybe 10 pounds with baby #1 and 5 with #2, so I was well below my pre-pregnancy weight with both of them once the dust had settled from giving birth --which I ascribe to pregnancy normalizing my hormones. After that I got even a little lower weight because of nursing every two hours and having babies who were VERY talented at sensing I was about to sit down to a meal and announcing their need to nurse. Then I'd level off at about 5-10 lbs heavier than I'd been immediately after the baby was born. Then I'd stop nursing and all the weight that was waiting in the wings for me to stop nursing ballooned me in like a couple weeks, no kidding. Time to pay the piper for all the chocolate and cheese and second helping nursing was letting me enjoy!

One thing that's helped me be realistic about my eating is Fit Day.com. When I started entering in honest calorie counts and portion sizes I discovered I actually WAS eating lots more than I thought I was even though about 80 percent of my diet is healthy wholesome foods (we will not discuss the sweet tooth). I've also heard good things about sparkpeople and MyCalorieCounter. My husband uses that and has lost 11 lbs. since the beginning of the year.

[Jen]

I lost most of the 16 pounds of pregnancy weight by 4-5 months or so. My little one was 6 weeks early but a good (albiet slow) nurser. It was funny how my shape changed despite the scale being the same number. I count myself a lucky one. No exercise other than struggling to keep up. I, too, coslept but was sleep depirved because he has never been a good sleeper. When I got pregnant with #2, the first was 14 months old and I was another 16 ponds lighter than when I got pregnant the first time. The one thing I did do was try to be aware of my eating. As he nursed less and ate more solids, I tried to not eat out of habit but out hunger. (which was tough.) but like a pp, now that I am pregnant all bets are off. So far in this pregnancy, I am 28 weeks, i have already gained the same amount that I did with the entire first pregnancy.

[amanda]

i was back to within 5 lbs or so of my pre-preg. weight by 6 wk checkup. but in the almost 2 years since then it has been a struggle to not gain even though son is still breastfeeding. there's the mirena and the celexa both of which seem to have the effect of weight gain if i even so much as look at an extra serving of ANYTHING. and we also have whole fat milk, yogurt and cheese in the house for the first time in...FOREVER...for the little guy. we don't consume enough dairy to justify buying two different cartons and can i just say it actually is rather tasty!?!? but, yea, i definitely notice the scale is not budging.

also not sure if anyone else has said this, but even if the numbers on the scale are the same as before the pregnancy--or less--your clothes may not ever fit the same again. at least that's what i am finding...

[housemouse]

I lost all but 5lbs of the pregnancy weight within 1 month of breastfeeding my son--it must be genetic, as my postpartum doula kept looking at me and saying, "I've never seen a woman loose the 'pooch' so quickly."

That said, those 5 lbs are still with me--all of them hovering around my tummy and hips--now with my son at 16 months, still BFing. I feel like they're there to ensure the supply never dips too low.

However, I just started exercising 2-3 times a week again and notice that I'm already losing a bit of the saddlebags and love handles. Also, I'm able to eat even more than usual now (er, a pint of ice cream in one sitting? alas, it's true), and my appetite is through the roof!

This all makes me a little ambivalent about weaning, honestly. I know I won't be able to pack in the food like this once the kid's off the boob.

[Elizabeth]

There's a theory that nursing women hold on to the last 5-10 lbs as an emergency reserve. Like if back in caveman times, there was a famine, those extra lbs would keep you and your baby from starving.

[lisa]

I didn't gain much weight when I was pregnant. I was overweight to begin with, and I've found that many people with "reserves" (my OB's polite term) tend not to gain as much as others. So I gained about 15 lbs total. But my mom got sick & subsequently died while I was pregnant, so I'm sure that had a lot to do w/ my lack of appetite.

My son weighed 7lbs, 7oz at birth. I was back in regular pants at his bris the following week. I have no idea when I "officially" lost the weight; I definitely had a huge amount of fluid buildup. I breastfed exclusively for 9 months & my metabolism & appetite were never so good. Unfortunately, it took a while to get out of the habit I was in of eating so frequently, so I gained weight AFTER I stopped breastfeeding.

Now he's almost 4, I went back to work & sit most of the day, so I could stand to lose some weight. And get back on the treadmill!

[Regina W]

I gained 60lbs during my pregnancy (I started out at 116, so I wasn't significantly underweight). 30 of those pounds disappeared in the first 2 weeks postpartum (obviously I had a lot of water weight), but the rest of them stayed put until my baby was about 10 months old. She had been exclusively breastfed that whole time. Then the weight just kind of started disappearing. She's 13.5 months now, still getting most of her nutrition from the breast and I am only about 5 lbs heavier than I was before I got pregnant.

[Erika]

I totally think it depends on the person. I've heard stories both ways. I lost the majority of the baby weight in the first 3 months or so and was back into most of my pre-preg clothes by about 8-10 months. A couple of things that seemed to help, I imagine (no proof really):

- I was really good about exercising while pregnant (not because I was pregnant but because I'd been regularly exercising for years prior)

- I ignored EVERYONE who, even jokingly, advised me to eat for two when I was pregnant. I just ate until satisfied. I figured the extra 200-300 cal/day they say you need was easily consumed without trying. Thus, I didn't gain a ton of pregnancy weight (unlike my sisters and some friends) so started with less to lose!

- Like my attitude while pregnant, I ignored advice to consume extra calories needed for milk production. I didn't really focus on quantity of food, just ate as much as I needed to not feel hungry. And our normal diet is pretty healthy so I didn't mess with that any.

- One key thing was that once I was home with baby I had a cabinet and fridge stocked with food and available all day for grazing. When I realized I was snacking more than I should, I started preparing a lunch like my husband's (night before). Lunches are typically a sandwich, an apple or pear, a Tupperwear of veggies (carrots, sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, etc), a Tupperwear of snackfood (Triscuts & almonds for example). Then when I was feeling snacky during the day I'd grab something from my "lunch". Portion control built in! And healthy snacks ready to grab. It kept me from eating boxes of Triscuts or entire tubes of Ritz crackers. The 10 min required to prepare the night before was well worth it (my husband and I still take turns with lunch duty 18 months later).

[elizabeth]

@Elizabeth I was going to say the same thing and we have the same name!! Crazy.
Anyway as I sit here and finish up my french toast and sausage...... I gained 55lbs with my Son and did that eating 3 healthy meals and a snack or two. I firmly believe your body is going to do what it needs to do to support the other being your growing either pregnant or nursing. I had lost all but 10lbs by 4 mths and wasn't trying to do anything, then we suspected my guy had food sensitivities and I went off all Dairy/Casein, Soy, Wheat, Corn and nightshades. I lost a lot of weight and that was a year ago, I added everything back 6 mths ago and still maintain the loss while I eat everything I want. But I don't really sleep, I nurse this nocturnal babe all night long and I suspect that is why I'm still skinny. I figure if I can sleep I can at least eat cookies and look great in my jeans...

[SarcastiCarrie]

I gained 65 pounds with my first. I nursed for 11 months. He only napped in the stroller so I walked a lot. I ate a lot of granola bars. I was still 10-15 pounds over pre-pregnancy weight when I weaned at 11 months (but most of that weight came off in the first week...literally 30 pounds in 2 days after birth), but I lost all of the last 10 lbs in the month after that, so by his 1st birthday, I was back at pre-preg weight. Weight yes, shape no. I just wasn't the same. A little softer here, a little squishier here, a lot droopier here and also there and oh-my-gosh does that go all the way back there now?

With my second I got a Mirena (which I have a love-hate relationship with), I nursed for 13.5 months. I lost all but the last 10 pounds by 4 months. Once I weaned the last 10 pounds plus a few more came off (mostly from my chest). I ate better the second time around but did less exercise. I also have PCOS (but apparently, without insulin resistance...I have no idea how that works).

[SarcastiCarrie]

Oh, I should add I gained 60 lbs with the second, and I ate better, but certainly not less. We joked that I ate like a lumberjack truck driver (whole restaurant portioned meals with no doggie bag! and appetizers and dessert and then come home and have a snack.). I have no idea how many calories I was eating per day but 2500 wouldn't be out of the ballpark I don't think.
I was very aware that I was eating like that while nursing so when I weaned, I was careful to scale it back to regular portion sizes. I was sad because cookies and ice cream and onion rings and I really liked eachother. And it's Girl Scout Cookie season here.

[Melissa]

Elizabeth, that lunch idea is genius. I have a problem with portion control and that might work great.

The pounds did melt off for me while breastfeeding, but I also had to be on elimination diets with both kids. (If you limit your diet to five ingredients, you will lose weight no matter how much you eat because you'll be so sick of the same foods!) So I ended up below my pre-pregnancy weight both times, but the weight that's left has definitely shifted around. Very strange.

[Cynthia]

Same as flea...am a naturally slender person, and could not keep weight on while breastfeeding, no matter what I ate. When I look at my post partum pictures I actually look pretty terrible and bony, though must say I enjoyed pigging out that first holiday season with my son! I'll be interested to see if the same thing happens the second time around. Anyone find that breastfeeding took of the weight with #1 and did not with #2?

[Bonnie]

I was like Anna and lost weight way too fast postpartum, from breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and unintentionally skipping meals or else just not eating very well because I had some PPD/PPAnxiety. I was skipping breakfast because my mood was so awful; for a while the only way I could make sure I ate something for breakfast was if I made myself a protein shake. Then I would eat another half a bowl of Weetabix. Sigh, those early months were awful.

Believe it or not there was a period early on when I subsisted on 2 packs of ramen a day. It's so gross/bad now that I think about it :P I was down to my pre-preg weight 8 weeks after delivery. I was skinny but didn't look good at all, and had to get some new clothes because my pre-preg clothes were too loose.

Now at 16 months I'm still BF-ing (and no depression, and minimal anxiety, yay!) pretty much back to my normal pre-preg weight, give or take 2 lbs (I have no idea how much I gained during pregnancy, because here in England they don't weigh you?!). Then again my "normal" weight fluctuates up to 4 lbs, depending on time of month and when I weigh myself during the day :P

[Sara]

I lost the baby weight in 4 months, and within a year I was ~8lbs & a size or two smaller than I was pre-baby. I breastfed the whole time but I'm not sure that had anything to do with it, it was just the damn hard work of half-marathon training.

[Cloud]

I lost all the baby weight (about 30 lbs) from my first within about 9 months, doing nothing for exercise except A LOT of walking (she slept in the stroller... not so much anywhere else). I was back in my "regular" pants by 6 weeks postpartum. She was born vaginally and was exclusively breastfed.

I am now about 5 months postpartum with my second. Again, I had about 30 lbs of baby weight. She was a c-section and is also exclusively breastfed. She actually eats more than the first (she's a bigger baby). I don't walk nearly as much, but I do chase a toddler around. I am still about 8-10 lbs over my starting weight, and had to buy a bunch of new pants. I asked a couple of doctors about the slower weight loss, thinking maybe it was something about the C-section. They said that the C-section wasn't the cause- it is pretty normal to lose the weight more slowly for baby #2.

I know several people who never lost the last 5-10 lbs until after they weaned.

One possible reason for weight gain could be that your baby is getting fewer calories from you as he/she starts eating more solids. If you haven't decreased your calorie intake, you'll gain weight.

[alisha]

Gestational diabetes = best weight loss plan ever. Not easy to manage the blood sugars. The danger is afterwards when I can finally eat normally again. I have eight more weeks and the first thing I want to eat after delivery is a giant bowl of cereal. But with my first, I kept that last few pounds until after weaning. I was convinced it was just how my body was going to be, until I weaned and they finally left me.

[Mia]

I have real issues keeping the weight ON as long as I am nursing. I am a skinny person to begin with but get to the more skeletal looking stage whilst nursing. It makes my soo hungry and I crave stuff I don't usually eat. Ice cream, nuts, whipping cream topped lattes... Lots of calories in other words. Everyday if I would only have the time. I eat three largish meals a day and a few snacks, so there is definitely no dieting.

I nursed my first born for just over two years and did gain a kilo or two when he stopped. Now I am nursing number two who is 16 months old and he is showing no inclination to give up boobie any time soon.

[Charisse]

I nursed for 2 years and was comfortably back in my pre-pregnancy clothes - except the boobs - by the time I went back to work at 6 months. I'm a natural A to B and I was bigger than that while nursing so it was awkward to find things that fit once my waist was its usual size again. But then, the ensuing winter with a baby getting sick over and over - I got down close to college weight while thinking I was eating everything in sight. (Much of that came back after Mr. C started seriously worrying about me and giving me extra food when I was thinking about other things - I've always forgotten to eat when stressed, so a sick nursling was kind of a perfect storm as far as weight loss.)

All that said (and I'm grateful for it, I do agree it's just genetic chance) I really didn't feel like myself athletically until I weaned. I'm not sure you could tell much by looking, but something was still in nursing mode in my body even when it was only 5 minutes a day. Once I weaned Mouse I felt much more like "myself" though the actual awesome prepregnancy body will come back exactly next time I have 10 hours a week for ashtanga yoga. Sigh.

[caramama]

I have always heard 9 months on, 9 months off is the average for most women.

I also think it's normal to lose, then plateau, then lose more, then plateau. I think it's very related to how much the baby is eating, growth spurts and how much sleep you are getting.

For me, it's not even those last 5 pounds that bother me. It's the fact that my body is simply a different shape. My pre-pregnancy clothes have never fit me quite right since having my first. I wish I had the money for a new wardrobe, but that's not going to happen.

I am really worried about what I'm going to do once I wean though. Cause I've spent the last 3.5 years indulging in my sweet-tooth's greatest fantasies...

[Judy B]

I lost a ton of water weight right after my son's birth (thanks preeclampsia), and was hoping that BF would help me keep it off...but I've slowly been adding lbs and am finally finding time to work out in the evenings.
I think it depends on your supply, your intake and just how your body works, not how Jessica Alba's body works :)

[B's Mom]

So funny-I was just talking about this yesterday!

I was the smallest that I have ever been at 14 months postpartum with my son-with not trying at all. I started to run with him around 11 months, but it seemed to just come off without trying.

Now with my daughter who is 9 months old-I have been running 4 days a week (5-6 miles a time, with a half marathon in November) since 8 weeks postpartum (crazy yes, but my only alone time!!!). This time I have held onto about 10-15 pounds of it until 2 weeks ago when I had to take a break due to a foot injury. I haven't ran in 2 weeks now AND I have lost 7 pounds. WHAT!!??? I think with the combination of lack of sleep and lots of exercise my body was being protective and thinking that I was trying to starve it. That is the only thing that I can think of.

Funny how the body works.

[snickollet]

I exclusively breastfed twins. It took me a year to lose most (all but 5 pounds) of the weight. The twins are now 3.5 and I'm still hanging on to those five pounds plus another two or three more that have crept on somehow.

I did not find that breastfeeding was some kind of magic weightloss activity; I think I would have lost the weight in the same way even if I hadn't been breastfeeding as I was very active and eating healthfully and like many other commenters, I think it's all about individual body types and metabolisms.

I am now actively struggling with my body image for the first time ever in my life, and wow, does that suck. Why do I hang on to the notion that losing 10 pounds will make my life magically better? And why do I use my lack of control around food as a way to repeatedly beat myself up? Ugh.

[paola]

With baby one, I put on around 26lbs and I lost 22 of them after a week (must have been mainly water). The rest I lost by the end of the first month. Weight continued to drop off until the 6 month mark. In total I lost an extra 11 lbs, most of which I managed to keep off until I got pregnant with no. 2, 14 months later. I breastfed on demand, and boy was my boy demanding!! I also walked around 4 miles a day which helped with the weight loss.

With baby two, I put on about 29 lbs. This time it took me 6 months to lose them all. I also breastfed on demand, but she wasn't as ravenous as her brother. I walked the same amount daily. When I finally weaned at 2.5 years pp, I was 3 lbs above my second pregnancy starting weight.

Just a note: almost all the women I know who have had more than one child have told me it took longer to lose the baby weight, with the subsequent babes, breastfeeding or not.

[Cloud]

I'm with @caramama- god help me when I wean, because I'm used to eating like a pig. I got pregnant with #2 before I weaned #1.

To add more to my data point above... I am naturally of average build, but with a D cup. I'm something like a G cup now, while nursing.

I also got a Mirena in recently. Like @SarcastiCarrie, I love some aspects (not thinking about birth control!) and hate others (who knew "a little spotting" = "bleeding all the damn time"?) But I haven't noticed it doing anything to my weight. I am still slowly losing my last 10 lbs. Last time I got on the scale (the toddler likes to play on it, so I get on a lot) I was about a few tenths of a pound down for the month.

[CaliBoo]

I lost a lot of weight in the first 3 months, then stayed the same until about a year out (a little after she weaned), where I lost about 10 lbs, and then stayed the same until I got sucked into a dental work nightmare. (It's fun being told "whatever you do, don't bite down on this side. See you in 4 weeks!")
So, no Hollywood weight loss here. Still about 5-10 lbs above pre-pregnancy weight, but I don't worry too much about what I eat.
A couple of dietary sabotages when you have toddlers and small children in the house is that you get stuck eating what they eat, when they eat. My mom caught me finishing off what was on my daughter's tray after I had eaten my dinner, and she asked me "why are you doing that?" Just something to think about, it's hard to be conscious about what you're eating when you're trying to make sure everyone else is eating and especially if you're home all day.

[Genevieve]

With both kids I didn't gain much weight during pregnancy. (15 Lbs with the first and about 10Lbs with the secnd) The weight came off within two weeks of giving birth. Though with my first I gained and then lost ten pounds while nursing him. (for two years) I think some of that had to do with the poor amount of sleep I had going. (he was a lousy sleeper) About the time I stopped nursing I got pregnant again and again the weight came off fast and I have lost another 15 pounds since then. (second baby is now nearly six months old) I don't know if it is nursing. I do know I eat a lot more fiber/greens/legumes and less meat than I used to. Plus chasing a toddler with a minor death wish does a lot for cardio!

[blubber]

With both pregnancies (25 lbs w/singleton; 38 lbs w/twins;) I was in my pre-pregnancy jeans within a week of giving birth. Both times I gained at least half of it back by 4-6 weeks postpartum. I finally lost the last 10 lbs from the first when I was pg with the second because I was so sick. Not sure what I'll do this time around.

I like the Elizabeths' theory about holding on to that bit of extra weight for emergency purposes. Can I use that excuse the rest of my life?

[Claudia]

My data points:
I lost all baby weight plus more not long after; maybe within the first 5 months. I also ate like a horse, and had a serious ice cream habit. I joked that she sucked the fat off of me. It was the skinniest I've ever been without situational depression causing it.

Now I'm 42, she's going on 4, and middle age weight plus seriously hard core winter are conspiring to make me chubby. I have gotten way more serious about what/how/when I eat, and will exercise when I find time, which isn't often.

Among my friends and stories I've heard, it's common to lose weight without effort (even actively "fighting" it), but with the subsequent babies, you gain or don't lose.
I'm not having any more, so I won't be testing that theory.

[Charisse]

@Mirena folks, interested if your OBs pushed the Mirena over the ParaGard? Mine strongly did, but based on my research I thought the ParaGard was better for me and I'm really happy with it. Mirena seems much more heavily marketed however...

[ML]

With kid #1, I didn't lose a lot of weight in the first 6 weeks (I don't own a scale, so the only time I have a hard number is when I go to the doctor's office) and breastfed for 9 months. My memory is hazy, but my feeling is that I lost a lot (probably 10-15 lbs) when DS weaned himself. The loose skin didn't really start tightening up until he was 1.5 years or so, or until I became pregnant with kid #2.

With kid #2, I lost a little more weight in the first 6 weeks (I honestly don't know whether this was a difference in expectations) but also weighed slightly less at the height of pregnancy. I exercised a lot less while pregnant, but started exercising (ie: walking, a little T-Tapp, a little mom exercise video with DD in carrier, emphasis on little, like 10-45 min total per day in chunks) sooner post-partum. I have struggled to continue exercising since I started full time work again 4 months ago, but I think I'm within 10-13 lbs from pre-preg weight, but certainly not shape. I expect I'll shed some more weight when DD decides she's had enough boob, but I'll have to work harder at the shape part then. I don't expect to fully snap back (if ever!) until she's at least 2 yo.

[the milliner]

Data points:
I was maybe 10-15 lbs higher than my ideal weight pre-pregnancy.Gained 35 lbs during pregnancy. BF exclusively until 6 mos, and still BF now at 20.5 mos.

Lost all but about 2-3 lbs by 6-8 weeks.Last bit came of by 4-6 months.Now 5-10 lbs lower than my pre-pregnancy weight.

I've eaten with abandon since I've been pregnant. Not gorging, but not limiting either. And oh, @cloud & @caramama, I hear you about the sweets. I've scaled back a fair amount knowing that I'll probably be weaning sooner rather than later. But I still like having desert most nights (which I didn't pre-preg...I'm more of a salty person), and I've been frequenting the vending machine at work a bit too much in the last few months.

I do eat fairly healthy otherwise (very little processed food, lots of veggies etc.), and my exercise until recently consisted of walking the dog 1x per day and vacuuming 1x per week with DS on my back (still do that with him @25 lbs.). Now I'm going to the gym 2-3x per week, but that's only been for the last month. I think I'm just lucky. And I guess genetics has something to do with it. But pre-pregnancy it was really hard for me to lose the last 10-15 lbs, and I definitely ate less than I do now. My sleep, for the record, has been crap, so not sure if/how that's affected things. As others have mentioned, body has shifted. Luckily, the butt has almost returned to normal (i.e. not sagging so low). That was hard on the ego in those first months post partum. Butt was so flat and low. Probably took a good year to get back to pre-preg state (or pretty close).

[Cloud]

@Charisse- no I do not feel I was pushed either way. I sort of wish I had gone with the ParaGuard now, but chose not to because of reports of heavy periods and cramping. Given my natural tendencies in that direction, I chose the Mirena. In retrospect, maybe heavy periods would have been better than the non stop spotting? Hard to say. (And my doc tells me the spotting may taper off with time.)

[MrsHaley]

Data points:

5'3" @135# pre-baby #1
Gained 28# during pregnancy
EBF but periods resumed @ 4 months
Down to 130# by 13 months (still BF) when I got pregnant again
Gained 28# with pg. 2
EBF & periods resumed @ 8 months
Down to 127# by 12 months
Still BF now -- 17 months and 127#

[hush]

I lost the baby weight both times within a year or so, but I never lost the "baby shape." My waist is thicker, my boobs are bigger and hang lower, my belly button looks wider - that's my new silhouette that I must embrace!

I was a short-term breastfeeder both times (no more than about 12 weeks), and I always had to supplement with formula, so you really can't draw much of any conclusion about weight-loss there. However, I do know that breastfeeding caused uterine contractions (afterpains) for me that were super strong for the first week postpartum with my second baby, and I know this caused my uterus to start to shrink back down very quickly.

Also, I wore Spanx to a party some friends threw for me 9 days after I had my second child, and people were amazed that I didn't look like I had just had a baby - my tummy really looked flat. (Don't hate on the Spanx. They give us a choice sometimes. I like choice.) Then next day I went to Tarjay and wasn't wearing any special undergarments of course, and the cashier asked me "When are you due?" So I pointed to my newborn baby sleeping in her car seat there in my shopping cart and said "Over two weeks ago." She replied, "Oh, well you look great!"

[Mama Fuss]

This is my breast feeding weight loss story that makes everyone I know hate me for it. I am typically overweight. I weighed 175 lbs when getting pregnant w/ my first child (I'm 5'6" so I was certainly overweight) and weighed 191 lbs at my nearly 9lb daughters birth. I exclusively breast fed her for 6 months (added solids and some formula after that) and at the 3-4 month mark, I was down to 145 lbs. And I ate whatever and whenever I felt like it. I tried to make sure I had plenty of protein, water and vegetables, but I also craved Oreo cookies and marshmallows during that time and had plenty of them as well.

But when my daughter quit breast-feeding at 10 months, it was like my metabolism just SHUT DOWN. Even when I cut back the sugar stuff, I couldn't keep the weight off and I was back in the 170s 2 years later when I got pregnant a few months ago. I'm hoping to BF longer this time around - I've learned from my first experience - but I truly believe that I was burning some serious calories while breastfeeding.