Have any moms experienced increased appetite due to breastfeeding?

Yes definitely. When you are breastfeeding you will need an extra 500 calories a day.

Don't try to lose weight too quickly because your body needs time for the skin to change shape and if you lose too quickly you will end up with sagginess.

I do know what you mean. I have been breastfeeding for 6 months now. It's normal because breastfeeding and or pumping takes a lot out of you. The best way to control this is to control what you eat. You need your energy to nurse and be a functional mom! I know sometimes I get busy at work and don't eat as much and I don't feel functional at home! I eat granola bars, honeydew melon, bananas, apples, and celery as my snacks during the day. I only drink water and I eat a big breakfast. I got back in my jeans the day she was born and back to my weight a week later. I'm still there! So I hope this helps.

Yes you can be very hungry. However you only need about an extra 500 calories per day.

The best thing to do is to eat as much as you want of very healthy foods, particularly raw fruit and veggies (you still need protein and carbs mind you, just for extra food fruits and veggies are usually best) and exercise. You may be needing extra vitamins which are best to get from real food, not synthetic vitamins. There are so many very important minor nutrients in real food that aren't in fake vitamin blends. NEVER take your prenatal when breastfeeding you need very little iron when breastfeeding less than you did when not pregnant (until your menses return then you need about as much as you did before you got pregnant.) So long as you burn the calories you eat you will be fine. So go out for walks, unless the weather is as crappy there as it is here. Then go walk around the mall. Putting the baby in a carrier rather than a stroller will also help burn more calories.

I have a 3 1/2 month old and I solely breastfeed. I too am constantly hungry.

I don't consider myself and expert, but this works for me: I eat breakfast, never skip. Usually cream of wheat. I eat a huge, HUGE, salad at lunch with veggies, 2 eggs (without yolk) and fat free dressing. I have to prepare and keep low fat, healthy snacks in the fridge, like fat free pudding, cottage cheese, fruit, baked potato, etc. I drink water while feeding (that's when the hunger begins for me).

Pretty much I eat every three hours, but keep my calories in check. (you need 500 more while feeding) The key is to not eat empty calories. Your body will still be hungry.

By the way, everyone says that your weight will drop if you breastfeed. REALLY?!?! You are only suppose to lose 1-2 pounds a week, and I'm having to work out 5 days a week to do that. Don't be pressured by unrealistic expectations. I think that people are referring to the first few weeks, when feeding triggers ocytocin to contract your uterus, causing our bellies to shrink faster.

Good luck girl, I'm with ya.

Yes this is norm. you have to keep a good diet not to much fat, sugars, or junk. one thing i found was baby carrots they are sweet and after a good do handfuls i don't feel hungry. One the keep the mouth busy and no fat. But when you eat an orange veg you might notice that you skin is orange tint this also can happy to the baby it ok nothing harmfully, but this is rare. waterr is good but don't over do in the wate because this waters your milk to the baby. and you will fill bloated. Also ask your doc for some advice. never never take anything while your breastfeeding to suppress your appetite, even the natural stuff. also try other veggies like cucumbers.

Instead of just eating the 3 big meals of the day, eat little meals through out the day. It will help you keep from gaining weight and also is better for you and your baby if you do it right. Balance your food intake. Fruits and veggies through out the day and 3 times a day eat some meat. At least once eat a lean piece of beef, (approx. 6 to 8 oz. ). The beef will supply you with amino acids that are very important to you and your baby as well as the protein. Potato skins are good for iron, spinach and broccoli are good and munch on celery to curb your appetite if you find yourself wanting to eat to much. A little soy is good for you to help keep your hormones in balance, but not too much. Your baby doesn't need it. I know vegans disagree, but I will rely on what a doctor of nutrition says instead. I would suggest organic milk, cheese and eggs, so that the baby gets your milk in its best form so to speak...

As far as your constantly getting hungry, that is normally a natural thing, but depending on the craving it could also be your body trying to tell you that you are lacking certain nutrition in your diet. If you crave sweets for example, your body needs some salt, etc....

Hmmm... I dont know if I was eating more than normal while nursing. All I know is that after all-day sickness for my entire pregnancy, I was just happy to be able to eat though. I did, however, crave water like crazy and drank probably a gallon or two a day, lol. Made my milk supply go insane for about a month. Keep up drinking all that water, its so good for you. Its also good that you dont skip meals. Its better for your metabolism if you eat as soon as you get up, and have 5-6 small meals/snacks throughout the day. Also, dont eat for 3 hours before bed. To help yourself fill up on less food, drink a 8oz glass of milk before every meal. Also, eat much slower. This will really help. Plus, 24oz of milk in a day really helps with healthy weight loss or maintenance. You can add carnation instant breakfast mix to your milk to help yourself get some extra nutrition. Also, add at least a drop of lemon to each serving of your water, it will keep you from retaining it. If you can handle more lemon, go for it, its really good for you!!! Remember, dont deprive yourself of meals. Simply spread out your food intake to those several small meals a day. Also, leave a small portion behind of every meal. Using all these tips together will really help!

I feel your pain! My appetite is huge! Don't worry, you will still lose the weight if you are eating healthy items. If you are hungry, eat some fruits, veggies, a good-for-you sandwich. Don't eat lots and lots of pasta, processed foods, or cookies, etc. I eat like a horse and I started losing weight around 8 weeks. My son's 8 mo and I'm 5 pounds shy of my pregnancy weight. If you need to munch just to munch, eat some carrots or apples while you're nursing. I hope that helps.

It's perfectly normal to have an increased appetite. You're body is working hard to make all that milk. You should be consuming 2600 calories daily. Just make sure that these are healthy calories, lots of fruits, veggies, lean cuts of meat, chicken, low fat dairy, and drink lots of water (like you are doing), and you shouldn't have a problem gaining weight.

Congrats on your new baby and happy breastfeeding!

With breastfeeding you burn twice the calories you normally would. So your appetite will be bigger. The baby is getting all it's nourishment from you. Don't panic. As long as you are breastfeeding you will lose the weight you gain. I was an overweight mom before and during my pregnancy and once I started breastfeeding the weight just dropped off, and I ate as much as I wanted of whatever I wanted. Once you decide to stop breastfeeding, then back off the food and remember you aren't burning as much up. I'm mom to 3. I loved the breastfeeding weight loss plan..lol..lol.