Talk about a bad week of running. I ran a whopping 9.25 miles this past week when I should have run 28 miles (week 2 of my 16 week marathon training plan). I did drive from South Carolina to Kansas (almost 1,200 miles) in 3 days with a baby though so that’s got to count for something!
Many of you requested to see the training plan I’m using and thanks to a wonderful reader we were able to track down the digital version of the plan. You can find the full training guide here. It’s full of great information and it’s worth checking out if you’re considering running your first marathon.
Due to a number of circumstances I think my milk supply is starting to wane. I’ve been so busy (and stressed) traveling and moving across the country that I’ve been really distracted and (unintentionally) haven’t been eating as much as I probably should. Jack is also over 8 months old and looooooves real food probably more than nursing now (which kind of makes me sad). I also had Army Reserve drill this weekend and didn’t pump as often as I should have and it was kind of disappointing seeing only 2 ounces of milk per breast each time I pumped. My goal is to nurse for a year so I need some help over here! I’ve never tried lactation cookies before but I’m going to give them a shot tomorrow if I can track down some brewer’s yeast. I was sent a recipe that looks fantastic (thanks Liz!) and I can’t wait to try them out. I hope they help!
Here is the recipe:
Has anyone else seen a decrease in their milk supply once their baby started eating 3 meals a day? I still nurse him about 5 or 6 times every 24 hours and he seems super happy and full but it still worries me. Please tell me this is normal! Also, if you have a great lactation cookie recipe I’d love to see it!
I've been dealing with milk supply issues (I was sick for a few days and couldn't keep much, if anything down, and then had a couple of weddings and work days where there simply wasn't time and availability to pump as often as I should…). I tracked down a recipe for lactation "energy bites," which seems to have helped! And I've started adding brewers yeast to my morning protein smoothie. Building up that freezer stock. 😀
Have you tried fenugreek? I was still in the army when we had our son Finn and had a hard time keeping my supply up when he was in daycare but fenugreek pills helped A LOT! You pop 6 of those bad boys (2, 3x a day) which I know seems like a lot but that's what it takes. Your pee and sweat may smell like maple syrup for the oddest of side effects but worth checking out. Also just keep increasing your water intake which you're probably already doing but do it even more as you get into the thick of marathon training. I was able to do the Run Across Georgia last year when I was still nursing and I think jusy constant water intake helped a lot with that. Good luck!
Smust003
July 15, 2016 / 4:34 pm
I am attempting to get back to running as well post baby. A fitness instructor i worked with said I should try to drink 100 oz of water a day when breastfeeding and running. it seems to be working! We just completed a military move and are already gearing up for another one so I know it's tough! Running might be a nice outlet during this time.
Hey there! I hate to be the bearer of bad news here and I promise, this is coming from a place of experience only, not preachiness… but having struggled with breastfeeding in the beginning and reading basically everything under the sun to the point that I feel like a lactation consultant, if your goal is to make it to 1 year, forget lactation cookies and brewer's yeast and nurse or pump more frequently. Unfortunately, tricks like teas, fenugreek, and cookies only boost production slightly and it sounds like you're nearing the risk of causing your milk production to slow down. The poster above who suggested upping the water intake is also 100% spot on; chug as much as you can around the clock and try to remember to eat more. I slowly stretched out how long I'd time feedings for, but often got stuck at work. When that happened, even just hand expressing in the bathroom stall (into a facecloth — gross, I know) helped me keep my production going. Good luck. It's tough but a worthy cause. Jack is lucky you're doing this for him!
Sorry — I also wanted to add that around 8 months is also right around the time my daughter (loved solids) started to seem less interested in nursing. My period came back right around this time due to the slowdown, but I found that I was usually able to sneak a more focused nursing session in right in the morning and right before bed. Maybe try that? I also tried to prioritize a little milk before solids too. All these tricks add up. Good luck!
I've been dealing with milk supply issues (I was sick for a few days and couldn't keep much, if anything down, and then had a couple of weddings and work days where there simply wasn't time and availability to pump as often as I should…). I tracked down a recipe for lactation "energy bites," which seems to have helped! And I've started adding brewers yeast to my morning protein smoothie. Building up that freezer stock. 😀
Have you tried fenugreek? I was still in the army when we had our son Finn and had a hard time keeping my supply up when he was in daycare but fenugreek pills helped A LOT! You pop 6 of those bad boys (2, 3x a day) which I know seems like a lot but that's what it takes. Your pee and sweat may smell like maple syrup for the oddest of side effects but worth checking out. Also just keep increasing your water intake which you're probably already doing but do it even more as you get into the thick of marathon training.
I was able to do the Run Across Georgia last year when I was still nursing and I think jusy constant water intake helped a lot with that.
Good luck!
I am attempting to get back to running as well post baby. A fitness instructor i worked with said I should try to drink 100 oz of water a day when breastfeeding and running. it seems to be working! We just completed a military move and are already gearing up for another one so I know it's tough! Running might be a nice outlet during this time.
Hey there! I hate to be the bearer of bad news here and I promise, this is coming from a place of experience only, not preachiness… but having struggled with breastfeeding in the beginning and reading basically everything under the sun to the point that I feel like a lactation consultant, if your goal is to make it to 1 year, forget lactation cookies and brewer's yeast and nurse or pump more frequently. Unfortunately, tricks like teas, fenugreek, and cookies only boost production slightly and it sounds like you're nearing the risk of causing your milk production to slow down. The poster above who suggested upping the water intake is also 100% spot on; chug as much as you can around the clock and try to remember to eat more. I slowly stretched out how long I'd time feedings for, but often got stuck at work. When that happened, even just hand expressing in the bathroom stall (into a facecloth — gross, I know) helped me keep my production going. Good luck. It's tough but a worthy cause. Jack is lucky you're doing this for him!
Sorry — I also wanted to add that around 8 months is also right around the time my daughter (loved solids) started to seem less interested in nursing. My period came back right around this time due to the slowdown, but I found that I was usually able to sneak a more focused nursing session in right in the morning and right before bed. Maybe try that? I also tried to prioritize a little milk before solids too. All these tricks add up. Good luck!