Talk to your doctor or pediatrician. Breast feeding is an incredibly effective weight loss aid by itself. My wife is down nearly 35 lbs in 3 months breastfeeding, including the 18lbs she put on during the pregnancy. Congratulations on the baby! Now may not be the time to do IF.
Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories. That will help a lot. The issue most women get into is they continue to eat like they did when they were pregnant, because breastfeeding burns calories and they get hungry. I wouldn’t fast while nursing - I would eat healthy and be mindful that you’re not eating MORE calories than a mom pregnant person should.
It’s not recommended but I’m doing it 4 months post partum I started off doing 16:8 m-f just to make sure I’m getting enough calories Ive lost a few lbs in two weeks and I haven’t noticed a decrease in milk or energy I’m thinking of going to 18:6 but if I feel off at all I’m going back to 16:8 as it’s been working just slowly lol
I have eaten at a 15:9 pattern most of my life, including through pregnancy and lactation.
(Pre knowing about IF, just how I was wired)
My son was a Barracuda nurser, and I lost 45 of 51 lbs gained with him. Much was fluid, yes.
I nursed him for 2.5 years.
Knowing what I know now (he’s 31 next month), I’d hold off on intentional time restriction until the baby has supplemental foods. I had some lethargy in the first five months, and I was just “on my natural pattern.” I was just barely in a healthy BMI at his conception, so I wasn’t bringing in any reserves, for sure.
As for snacking, it’s generally accepted in IF that the window is a window. All calories should be consumed inside the window to achieve the biochemical states we seek.That means snacks, if that’s how you roll.
Currently nursing, I eat whatever I want between 11-7 and I haven’t noticed a milk supply problem. Im down 8 pounds in 5?ish months. Antidotal but when I tried to stay with in TDEE calories plus 500, my milk production tanked. Third time breastfeeding, my body tends to shed the weight after the baby is done nursing.