I started at around the five month mark. For two months before I pumped as much extra as I could everyday, to have in the freezer. Just in case my supply dipped at all. It has almost been two full months of IF for me, and it has been going really well! My best tips would be make sure you are eating enough calories a day and drinking extra water, that makes a huge difference.
I wanted to start the moment I gave birth but it is really important to give your body enough time to establish a good milk supply. If I remember correctly it takes around four months? So I just focused on eating healthy most of the time so I wouldn’t gain more weight, and then when I could fast I jumped into it.
Good luck!
Personally, I vote: fast once breastfeeding is optional in your mind.
In the first two months it became clear that my supply couldn’t keep up with baby’s ever-increasing demand. Anything that lessened my supply would’ve added to the nightmare of trying to make it work.
I hated my postpartum body (also in the 180s), so I understand the impatience to knock the weight off again. But your body just built and birthed a tiny human, it’s alright to give it a bit of time before going hammer time.
I personally waited until 4 months when I called it quits and fully switched to formula, but I think everyone should do what’s right for them.
I did it at 5 months postpartum, but I had a great supply from the start. You can make lactation treats to boost your supply, too.
One of the issues I read about is if you fast too long, toxins going to baby via milk (or something, please research bc I don’t remember well). So I kept it at 18 hours or less.
Hydrate, electrolytes, eat quality food, not crap.
IF is not recommended for breastfeeding moms according to Dr. Jason Fung. It is also not recommended for minors, pregnant women or those with a history of anorexia or bulimia. Here is more discussion of it from 2 of his team, Megan Ramos and Dr. Nadia Pateguana.
https://www.thefastingmethod.com/blog/2022/1/18/podcast-transcript-e10
I noticed an immediate dip in my supply (but I’ve always had a low supply). I started at five months. I was fine with it as I was already in the process of weaning. I would suggest to wait at least until your milk supply regulates.
I am about 4 months post partum and slowly transitioning into IF over the past fortnight. Started out with my usual 16:8 but found that I couldn’t get my eating windows right (bubs feeds constantly so I am ALWAYS hungry). Have been having great success with 14:10 though as I also noticed a slight dip in my milk supply on 16:8. Not a huge drop but enough to make bubs a bit grumpy.
Once he is 6 months old and moving onto solids I will start extending the fast until I get back up to 16hrs.
I’m new here but I’m 3 months postpartum with my second and trying 16:8 to get from 215 to 145 5’6”.I have an oversupply and I’m okay losing my milk and I’m 98% exclusively pumping.My primary care physician pointed me to IF and said it’s great in combination with breastfeeding.Since I’m pumping I’m able to measure output and I’ve been upping my pumping session times to compensate for the slight dip.I feel very thirsty all the time.My IBCLC said to consult a dietician. The nutritionist recommends somewhere around 1800 calories a day as a breastfeeding person. She’s fine with the intermittent fasting if it works for me but encourages me to eat if I’m hungry or feel faint. At least two meals and a snack a day. She suggested a bunch of things to add to water to replace sugary drinks that I normally have. half a plate of veggies, a palm of your hand/4oz of protein and a fist size of carbs with each meal.
I didn’t IF until my kiddo was older, but I lost a LOT of baby weight just breastfeeding. My supply was likely considered “just enough”, but my breastfeeding journey lasted about 3 years and I lost all my baby weight and then some in about 8 months. It was when I weaned that I gained.
I’d maybe feel out how your body reacts to BFing before fasting as you may not need to. I did exercise as well (in a moms group with my kid there which was great) but I’m sure I would have lost it regardless because there were no nutritional limitations.
I just started a little over a week ago and my little is almost 3 months. I focus on nutrient dense food during my eating times and make sure you are getting enough calories. I wouldn’t do more then 16:8. Also stay hydrated that is super important to helping keep your milk supply up. The only way to accurately measure milk supply is by watching your babies wet diaper output. Make sure it doesn’t decrease, you need to see at least 6 wet diapers per day.