Breastfeeding & CrossFit

Two topics I am passionate about and probably the two most challenging and time consuming parts of my life:

CrossFit, for obvious reasons: training, coaching, and managing the box.

And breastfeeding.

When they say ‘nothing can prepare you for motherhood’, you can still assume how hard being a first time mother will be. But no one ever talks about breastfeeding or how hard it can be. At least no one I know.

I always assumed breastfeeding is part of having a baby and something every mother would do. Like changing diapers. As simple as that.

But no, breastfeeding is more than that.

Don’t get me wrong, before even deciding on starting a family I knew breastfeeding would be something I wanted to provide my child. I have been and still exclusively breastfeed my 9 month old baby. No bottles. No formula. No pumps.

I’m not going to go into details about my experience from how I started, struggles I went through, no guidance but my own instinct, refusing to listen to criticism, and all that jazz. You can ask me and I’ll be more than happy to reply.

I want to discuss my experience of breastfeeding and specifically CrossFit.

Before going back to training, I worried about BFing and if exercising, specially as intensely as CrossFit workouts, would effect my supply. I couldn’t find any information in regards to CrossFit, but I did read about other types of athletes and how they managed. The biggest piece of advice was to make sure I ate enough calories in relation to calories burned.

Both CrossFit and BFing can be demanding and drain you physically, mentally, and emotionally. I BF on demand. So most of my training sessions would have me stop half way through to feed my baby; this was the case especially when she was younger and feeding what seemed like every 20 minutes.

I read somewhere that BFing is like a workout in itself. What with all the calories you burn and how fatigued you can feel afterwards. Which leads me into my next point…

Most CrossFitters, or any fitness fanatic for that matter, take supplements to compliment their training. Whether that be multivitamins, BCAA, protein shakes, caffeine, pre-workouts, etc. Everyone knows you need to be cautious about what you put in your body while pregnant and/or breastfeeding. So after lots of research and finding what’s available in stores, I realized my options are limited with supplements that were safe. So I didn’t take anything but my postnatal vitamins. With the work load of my training and lack of sleep with the baby, I was completely exhausted. It wasn’t until the baby reached 6 months that I reintroduced 1 cup of coffee a day. That was a very exciting moment for me since I had cut out caffeine even while pregnant.

A few more months and I would reach one year of breastfeeding. I couldn’t be more thankful for this blessing. With a lot of determination and support from my husband, I’m making breastfeeding work with CrossFit. It is the most exhausting experience…but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

*I AM NOT CLAIMING TO BE AN EXPERT ON BREASTFEEDING. I AM JUST SHARING FROM MY OWN EXPERINCE. EVERYONES EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT*

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