Re: Ketosis and Breastfeeding

[Guest guest]

What is a good way to lose weight while nursing? Get a good amount of

physical activity.

I did eat a very low (grain carb) diet while nursing my 3rd child and he was

fine. I did eat fruit though, so maybe that doesn't count?

Elainnie

[Guest guest]

A local La Leche League leader told me that she could do mild ketosis and

still breastfeed, but that if she restricted her carbs too much she stopped

producing much milk. This may be true for everyone or highly individual, I

don't know.

>What is a safe, effective way to lose weight while I am breastfeeding?

(the quicker the better!)<

Many women lose weight very effectively by eating good foods and

breastfeeding. Are you already NT, and eating very little sugar, bread etc?

I'm not a professional, just a mama who's been breastfeeding for years. My

suggestion would be to first (if you aren't doing it already) start eating

really well - following NT.

I wish you the best,

Rhea

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure I can say this strongly enough and I hope that I don't

come off to pushy on this, but I would advise in the strongest way

that you DO NOT follow extreme carbohydrate restriction while

nursing. If you have weight to lose you can follow any number of

healthy diets, you can implement a real high quality exercise

regimen that's not overly strenuous or you can do the best thing and

wait til you wean.

The ketosis part is a non issue it doesn't really matter if you go

into ketosis or not. It is neither harmful or beneficial to your

child.

Ketogenic diets have been a boon to our culture in recent years

however they have made one grave error, they have demonized the

carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are no more inherently evil than

anything else. If you have been inclined to lose weight with

reducing carbs then simply the elimination of sugar and grain should

be more than ample and safe for your child for you to lose weight.

I always cringe with some fear when I hear nursing women discussing

any kind of restriction while nursing. Whether it be carbohydrate

or calories or fat, etc... your child's future depends upon your

diet for its future any kind of severe dietary restriction

jeopardizes that.

If you were under close biochemical observation like in a laboratory

setting your approach might be viable because you could instantly

monitor if your child was lacking but instead you are living your

life rasing a family and going about your day in my opinion far too

many oportunities to make a mistake.

My best suggestion is at most restrict grain and sugar, implement a

worthy and safe and efficient exercise regimen and make sure your

diet is as wide, varied and plentiful as is possible until you wean.

My other concern with nursing mom's severly restricting carbohydrate

is that many times unwittingly ketogenic diets are calorically

restricted and again this is no time to be cheating your child of

much needed nutrients.

If you need any clarification or want to ask any questions feel free

to email me as I will help in any way I can. This is very important.

Dr. Marasco

www.cedarcanyonclinic.com

--- In , " belscb " <belscb@y...>

wrote:

> I breastfeed my 6 month old. I also need to lose weight. I have

been

> planning on losing weight by eating a very-low-carbs version of

> the " Nourishing Traditions diet " (similar to the Atkins diet).

This

> diet would cause me to enter ketosis. I have followed this ketosis-

> diet previously with positive results, but never during my

pregnancy

> or while breastfeeding. Will any harm come to my baby if I enter

> ketosis while I am breastfeeding? Should I wait until I wean my

child

> to go on this diet (in a year or two)?

>

> If it is harmful to breastfeed while I am in ketosis, then what

about

> the Eskimos? The Eskimos breastfed, and surely the Eskimo women

were

> in ketosis (I assume that they were in ketosis because they ate

very

> few carbs). Did Eskimo women breastfeed while in ketosis? If so,

why

> shouldn't I?

>

> If it's true that I shouldn't induce ketosis while breastfeeding,

> then how else should I lose weight? What is a safe, effective way

to

> lose weight while I am breastfeeding? (the quicker the better!)

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I'm currently nursing a 3mo. My diet would be considered low carb,

although not as strict as the initial Atkins. I eat a slice or two

of Ezekial sprouted bread per day, yogurt/kefir, salads, vegetables,

maybe a bit of fruit occassionally, at least a couple of eggs, and

meats/fish. OK - so last week I did have a chicken sandwich and

onion rings at Sonic, but this is my diet for the most part. Plenty

of water, too. Coconut oil, butter, olive oil, a teaspoon of cod

liver oil if I think of it.

So far nursing has gone very well - I feed her when she's hungry, and

my milk supply is good. She is starting to get nice and chubby!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/28/04 11:58:45 PM, bronwen@... writes:

>

> basically says:

>

> no studies against ketosis and nursing-

>

> that too quick wieght loss may release stored pcbs and other toxins into the

> blood which may enter the milk,

>

> too quick loss may effect milk supply.

>

> that women need protien and fat in their diets when they are breastfeeding

>

> Bronwen

>

Thanks Bronwen,

I've seen the LLL position before. I do have plenty of protein and good fats.

What I lack is sugar, starch and I think that's a good thing . Also I ate

pretty low carb while pregnant (very little grain and abundant protein) so this

is not a big change for me diet wise.

Elainie

>

>

>

>