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Always hungry breastfeeding 17 month old


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I'm on day 9 of the whole30 and loving it, I feel so good and I love experimenting while cooking! However I find myself to be frequently hungry in-between meals. I feel like I eat really well and try to eat lots of fats and winter squash and sweet potatoes to satiate me but I'm not having a lot of luck. I also try to eat a big hearty breakfast in hopes of holding me over. For example, for lunch I had a good-sized bowl of acorn squash, asparagus, and ham sautéed in a generous amount of ghee and EVOO. Only about an hour later I was feeling some hunger pains in my belly.

I don't mind being a bit hungry at times because I understand that my body is re-learning how to burn fat, but I'm just wondering if this is normal? I know my body will make healthy milk for my baby and I just want to make sure that I'm not depriving MY body. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

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I'm pretty sure that I've seen Melissa recommending extra food for the pregnant and breastfeeding among us...I would't hesitate to have a 4th or 5th meal if you need one. It can be smaller, if you like, just try to make sure every meal has protein and fat and veg. Over time, you might need it less often, but don't worry if you need more right now.

Enjoy this time with your little one.

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  • 2 weeks later...

i am also nursing (a 19 month old) but because he has dropped down to am, nap, and pm, i haven't needed as many calories to keep milk supply up. i find as long as i am drinking enough and eating well i am ok. when i was nursing more frequently (and following a paleo plan, not whole30) i ate extra fruit to help keep me satisfied and feeling good.

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Your lunch sounds delicious! But how much protein was in the sautee? Try to make protein front and center. Also, loading up on non-starchy veggies helps too. My first few months of breastfeeding I was ravenous. I was paleo (not strict Whole30) and upping the protein really helped.

Congrats on keeping up the breastfeeding!

Tricia

www.expatpaleo.com

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  • 4 months later...

I am finished with my whole 30, but staying 90% compliant now and I am nursing a 12 month old.  I know this may sound weird, but the more starchy veggies I eat in the morning the more likely I am to get hungry before lunch.  I tend to be OK if I eat fruit, but if I have sweet potatoes, by 10am I am ravenous.  That said, it is ok to eat in between while you are nursing.  The babies needs are your #1 priority. 

 

Experiment with your fat, protein, veggie ratios too.  I need to snack when I get it wrong and sometimes i just need to snack because Liam is demanding more of me and I need the extra fuel to provide it to him.

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  • 4 weeks later...

I just finished my Whole 46 on the 15th. I am breastfeeding my 18 month old, and I love that I'm not the only "extended" breastfeeder! I can so relate to the constant hunger; I'm hungry two hours after I eat, and I just eat whenever I'm hungry... Usually ends up being 4 meals, or three and a sweet potato snack after nap time with my little one. I already eat more protein than suggested by the template, and I add coconut or olive oil to everything.

I am actually having trouble maintaining my weight. I have lost 6 lbs that I didn't have to lose. I feel great, but I look gaunt. Any suggestions? Weight training, perhaps? Stopping nursing is not an option for us, as we will wean when my boy is ready. :)

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I just finished my Whole 46 on the 15th. I am breastfeeding my 18 month old, and I love that I'm not the only "extended" breastfeeder! I can so relate to the constant hunger; I'm hungry two hours after I eat, and I just eat whenever I'm hungry... Usually ends up being 4 meals, or three and a sweet potato snack after nap time with my little one. I already eat more protein than suggested by the template, and I add coconut or olive oil to everything.

I am actually having trouble maintaining my weight. I have lost 6 lbs that I didn't have to lose. I feel great, but I look gaunt. Any suggestions? Weight training, perhaps? Stopping nursing is not an option for us, as we will wean when my boy is ready. :)

You could add an extra meal, add more fat, eat more calorie dense vegies to put the weight back on or maintain more easily. Weight training is fantastic, but the weight you put on will be muscle weight which is completely different to fat weight! You're likely to lose more fat by taking up resistance training!

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