At 02:23 PM 7/18/02 +0200, you wrote:
>"I have 1-2 mothers a month from my "stylish" part of town whose milk
>supplies plummet when they restrict calories and work out excessively at
>the gym in order to get back into their size 6 clothes. With a resumtion of
>caloric intake they regain their supplies."
>
>Pat,
>
>Can you put a figure to the restricted calorie intake and excessive work
>out? I've been asked to get some info on weight loss during lactation and so
>far I understand that restricting calorie intake below 1500 - 1800 kcalories
>can have an effect on milk production. Do these women limit below this?

Yes. One client said that if she ate 1500-1800 calories a day she would be
a blimp. She was eating 1000 calories a day at most, including NO fat
(according to her). And she was working out vigorously at the gym for 1
hour a day. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and was aiming for a weight of
under 100 pounds.

Her supply was fine until she began dieting and going to the gym. It
dropped quite low within a week of beginning this regimen. With a
resumption of an adequate diet her milk supply rebounded within a few days.
 I suggsted that she walk with baby and child in a stroller for her
exercise. She was disappointed that she would have to buy new clothes in
"large sizes" of 8-10. But since a similar thing had happened with her
first baby she was willing to continue eating well.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mailto:[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html