5 Fitness Tips when Breastfeeding

Each time I've entered back into the fitness world post-baby, I've received all kinds of "advice" for post-baby exercise.  Here are a few favorites: 

"Stop exercising! Your milk is going to taste sour!" 

"Don't exercise!  Instead, let your body rest and heal."  

"All you should do is rest and let your body heal."

"Eat as many calories as you want, and don't exercise! You're feeding for two!"

I could go on, but I won't.  And I won't go into detail as to why those are all myths.  You know how to operate google.  Instead, I'll share 5 things I've found helpful after the doctor has given the "all clear" to exercise.

5 Fitness Tips when Breastfeeding

1.  Listen to your body.  Those first few weeks my body is HANGRY. Like I could eat the whole kitchen.  But, as my milk balances out (around 6 weeks) so should my nutrition.  I've had the best success by eating 5-6 meals per day.  Adding in LEAN PROTEINS and veggies to those meals.  And by being a bit more mindful (and slowing down a bit!).  While I don't count calories, the general recommendation is an increase of 500 when breastfeeding.

2.  Hydrate.  With WATER.  Aim to drink half your body weight.  Breast milk is a fluid - and to make it, your body needs water.  Lots of water.

3.  Begin at the beginning and then build.  That means your present body - not the one that you lived in a year or ten years ago.  The best exercise, no matter your fitness level, is one that makes you feel stronger, more confident and better overall.  Sharp pinches, pressures or pain?  That's your body telling you to back off.  Low impact might just feel better.    And that's okay.  No matter what strength your body had previously, the current core muscles (encompassing both the abdominals and the back) have been stretched and strained.  Allow them to work back into proper form.  Then build from there.

4.  Support.  A good sports bra is important.  The girls are heavier - give them support they need.

5.  Breastfeed (or pump) before exercising.  I've found workouts (whether low or high impact) to be much more comfortable when the girls aren't filled to the brim.

Why exercise?

With each new baby, I've felt fatigue like nothing else.  Can't even put it into decent words.  But for me, it comes down to Newton:

"An object at rest will stay at rest.  An object in motion will stay in motion."

Sit, and you'll want to sit more.  Move and you'll want to move more.  Will a mom still be tired?  You betcha.  But those babies don't stay small forever.  Your body (and mind) will thank you.  Keep at it.