Exercising decreasing supply?

[Debi]

Hi girls,

I started training to run a 5k about 4 weeks ago now (from couch to 5k), but i'm starting to think it may be reducing my supply Went out last night and DS was up 10+ times nursing I've noticed it before but have been trying to put it down to other factors as I am really enjoying the training... Has anyone else experienced this after exercising? Did you manage to rectify it somehow? Thanks xx

 

[sarahh]

I'm sorry I'm no help I'm on week one of the couch to 5k. Have you been drinking more on the days you have been running to replace what you sweat out?
I hope someone can help you.

 

[Debi]

Aw awesome, it's great btw! I love feeling fitter every week! I've been guzzling more when I get back and also before I go, but not really upping it all through the day. I'm going to try drinking more all day to see if it helps any. I am quite bad for not drinking enough even on normal days (although much better than I used to be!). I'm a sweaty one while exercising so hopefully it's as simple as that.. Can't deal with the night wakings like that though, as i'm like a bear with a sore head when i'm sleep deprived which unfortunately seems to be constant these days!! thanks xx

 

[monte3375]

I tried working out and my supply dropped so I am holding off right now...which stinks because I am missing it.

 

[Debi]

That's a shame Monte, how old is your LO? Did you try upping your fluids? .. I'm going out running again tomorrow so i'm going to try and double my water and see how I go! Hopefully it'll do the trick... don't wanta be peeing all day for nothing!

 

[MommyJogger]

Were you very active prepreg? I run marathons/ultramarathons. Very high mileage and still maintain a good supply. As long as you're replacing your fluids and somewhat easing into it, it shouldn't have a massive effect on your supply unless you're frequently exercising to exhaustion/until your body just gives out. I would recommend plateauing your training-- just maintain and repeat whichever week you are in C25K while nursing frequently and increasing your water intake. See if things even out and then continue on the c25k program if things seem fine after another week. If you think your supply continues to decrease or you start to see fewer wet diapers, you can ease off for a while then. Is your baby perhaps getting more mobile or going through a growth/developmental spurt? I noticed my son really increased his intake when he learned to crawl and then again when he learned to walk in order to make up for his own new calorie expenditure. Those can really make it seem like your supply is lower, even though baby really is just taking in more fluids and calories.
There's also an 8mo sleep regression that's developmental and has nothing to do with how much milk they are/aren't getting. So if you're just going by # of wakings or having trouble getting back to sleep after waking at night or more frequent night nursing, I would say that this would be happening whether you're training or not. It will pass... eventually, lol.

 

[Debi]

Thanks Mommyjogger- that's reassuring! I just googled ultramarathon and bloody hell, go you!!!

I wasn't particularly active prepreg, played team sports at school etc but never ever thought I would be a runner! Thus am very shocked at how upset I am at the thought of having to quit! It is quite addictive!

I reckon DS is getting about ready to walk as is standing unaided and mega cruising at the moment, so I think that he probably is needing extra calories as you say, however I thought his nappy was a little dryer than normal this morning given how much he was nursing. I will just keep an eye on it, and stay on this week for a bit longer .

He is also going to bed around half an hour later on the nights I am going out so that could be a contributing factor. So many variables!

Also I find it much harder to settle to sleep after training so I wonder if there are some sort of hormonal fluctuations that might be affecting DS too? Might be better trying to go out earlier