Several weeks ago there was some discussion about wt. loss during BFing.  I
was inspired to ask for a report from a midwife with whom I work.   Despite
eating an abundance of calories she continued to lose wt, which she really
couldn't afford to do.   Her report:

Since age 21 I have weighed between 48-50 KG and am 165 cm tall (she is
thin!).  I can eat as much as I like and never gain wt.  Thyroid etc were
checked and all is normal,

I was pregnant for the first time at age 24 and gained wt.  fast and heavy
:  at 6 weeks of pregnancy I had already gained 6 KG and this gain
continued.  At 40 weeks I weighed 78 KG (28 KG gained).   My son was breech
and was birthed per Caeserean.  I BF without problems.  Two months later I
weighed 50 KG without having dieted and this loss continued.  After 5 1/2
months I weaned him because I weighed less than 43 KG.

Eight years later I was again preg.  I  gained 19 KG by the 37th week when
my daughter was born normally.  I BF full.  When she was 2 months old I
weighed 52 KG and since I wanted to BF longer I began to gorge, and that
with intention and not because it tasted good.  For Breakfast I ATEevery
morning 3 whole wheat (German!) bread with butter, thickly covered with
cream cheese and jam, along with a small bowl of rawgrain müsli.  For lunch
I ate lots of creme fraiche, butter, cream, oil, lots of veggies, noodles,
always a salad and always  a dessert such as a pudding made with semolina
with cream and fruit.  My husband and son gained wt., unfortunately.  In
the afternoon I ate home-baked cake.   In the eve. I ate once again 3
pieces of whole wheat break and butter, cheese, cream cheese, antipasta,
etc.  and before bed I cooked a choc.pudding with  a cup of warm milk g
arnished with whipped cream.  Inspite of all this I lost wt. and weaned my
daughter at 5 1/2 mos. with a wt. of 43 KG.

I mentioned this diet to a woman who has become quite healthy after having
her intestines cleaned and going on the Fit for Life diet.  She claims
there was just too much whole grain in the diet and the body can't digest
all this properly.

Any  comments?

All best ,
Anne Kaeser, BA;IBCLC in Germany