My goal in writing both the book and these blogs is to share valuable information regarding fertility, preparing for pregnancy, pregnancy and beyond. The following information from Lily Nichols is well researched and her books are also highly recommended.
1. How can moms realistically balance multiple priorities postpartum, such as weight loss, nutrition to support breastfeeding, and laying the groundwork for trying to conceive again (eventually)?
It depends on how far into postpartum we’re talking, how much weight, and how reliant baby is on your milk. If baby is <1 year old and maintaining your milk supply is top priority, I’d be especially cautious about pushing weight loss. The primary places I’d focus on are eating plenty of protein and produce, eating at regular meal times (don’t skip breakfast), optimizing circadian rhythm (knowing sleep is probably disrupted, and trying to get morning light and an early bedtime). Be cautious with snacks — are you truly hungry or is it just habit/stress? Sometimes we need to reevaluate eating patterns when we’re out of the early postpartum period when energy needs were so high.
2. Do a mother’s nutrition needs change with extended breastfeeding, especially once solids are introduced?
So technically, the only “guidelines” we have on breastfeeding apply to exclusive breastfeeding (the first 6 months). Beyond that, your energy/nutrient needs will be heavily influenced by your baseline nutrient status and the volume of milk you’re excreting each day. If you’ve got a 3 year old who nurses 1-2x/day for a few minutes at bedtime, that’s nowhere close to the energy expenditure of nursing a young baby. As someone who nursed both kids past 2 years of age, near the end of it (nursing only 1x/day), I’d say my food intake was similar to non-breastfeeding baseline by the time we weaned. You may be entirely different though!
With regard to question 1 above, I would suggest consulting a qualified naturopath who will be able to assess your individual situation – review your diet, check blood pathology including thyroid, sleep and other issues affecting weight regulation.
