Scared to start while breastfeeding

(Jen) #1

Hi, I’m new here and new to keto. I’ve been researching it, have tried multiple times, and was doing well for two days and then I freaked out and loaded on carbs because I was afraid of ketoacidosis. I am also afraid of my milk supply dropping, as I am exclusively breastfeeding a 4 month old. I want to lose weight, but the major reason I want to do it is for my mental health. I don’t want it to be a diet, but a whole lifestyle change because I seriously need something to change. Do I have to wait until I’m done before starting? I plan on breastfeeding for 2 years, but obviously he will be eating solids at 6 months and after a year it would be like once or twice a day.

(Central Florida Bob ) #2

First a warning or disclaimer.

I’m not just a guy, and therefore have only theoretical knowledge of breastfeeding, but I’m a 72 year old guy, so I have less than zero experience.

That said, ketoacidosis is not common in the keto world. MD-type doctors who help keto dieters get started say they hear concerns about ketoacidosis regularly.

This might be helpful:
https://lowcarbjc.com/lchf/informative-videos/youtube-channels/

(Bob M) #3

I wouldn’t be too concerned about ketoacidosis, which is mainly for type 1 diabetics. It’s a combination of high blood sugar AND high ketones. If you’re eating a ketogenic diet, you shouldn’t have high blood sugar.

Did you have gestational diabetes?

One thing you could do, if you’re eating 3 meals a day, is replace one meal – say, breakfast – with a keto meal. Do that for a few weeks. Then replace another meal with a keto meal, say lunch. Do that for a few weeks. See how you feel after each one. This will give you an idea of if you can do it, and also eases into keto.

If you go strict keto very quickly, that can mess things up like salt, magnesium, etc. There are solutions for those, but to try to do that on top of breast feeding/having a baby could be a lot.

(Jen) #4

Thank you. I have watched many hours of Dr Berg, as well as Ketogenic Mind. I will check out more from the link you provided.

(Jen) #5

I didn’t have GD. I’ve been trying to cut down my carbs for the past couple of months, but I have been consuming way more than I realized when I started tracking macros and researching more.
An issue I have always had is binging at night before bed. I have a couple of toddlers, so I have very minimal carbs in the house. I’ll eat great in the day then pig out on their junk at night.

(Bob M) #6

Well, that’s tough because I have issues in the evening, and eat too much then, sometimes stealing my daughter’s chocolate (she doesn’t eat it – unlike me), and I’m not postpartum.

Do you have any time to make things? There are some possible “desserts” (using allulose) that might help with cravings. I have a chocolate mousse I make a lot. It’s not that time consuming, and I make a double batch and put it in small containers. Something like that may or may not help, you’d have to try it.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #7

Try reading this article for some good info on your issue:

#8

For ketoacidosis to happen, MANY things must simultaneously go wrong. Ketoacidosis has literally nothing to do with eating keto, there’s a reason basically only out of control diabetics have that happen, even then they have to be pretty screwed up.

Just start by dropping carbs down, see how it goes. If well, keep going. Keep an eye on everything.