8 Tips to Lose Weight Postpartum While Breastfeeding

Tip #1

Do not overeat thinking that u need to eat for your baby. Just eat a well balanced diet.  

Eat well

Tip #2
Do not skip breakfast. Even if you're not breastfeeding. Because it will make you more hungry and less energized even before lunch time. For a breastfeeding mother, it is recommended to have a high protein breakfast as it can help meet their increased protein needs (20 grams if you're breast feeding) , which can help maximize milk production. My current favourite breakfast is Overnight Oats. It's just oats, ESP, Meal Shakes and pitted prunes left overnight in the fridge and pop in some honey and fresh fruits when you have it in the morning. Certainly an On-The-Go brekkie (not to forget HEALTHY).

Yummy Overnight Oats with Kiwi - the Before

Tip #3

Eat supplements. Seriously. Because u need all the energy to stay awake, stay fit, stay energized, stay healthy for your baby. When you're healthy and happy, eventually inshaAllah (with Allah's will) you'll have a good milk supply and you'll have more energy to take care of your baby. The first six months are definitely the toughest. Click HERE to read on supplements that I take during my breastfeeding journey.

Tip #4 

If you can't exercise, detox and burn those fat with natural foods and supplements. Exercise is quiet difficult during the first six months (at least for me. Until now). So what I do is go for Shaklee (coz it's natural and it doesn't interfere with my milk production. In fact it aids me with breastfeeding. No I am not being biased just because I'm selling them. I;m just sharing my experience as a user myself. I take Alfalfa for detox, Lecithin to burn fat and  ESP to build muscle to make sure they don't go all flabby. Best part is Alfalfa and ESP both helps to improve the quality of my milk by making it thicker. Lecithin on the other hand also helps to reduce breast engorgement.

If you're exercising, start with some light movements

Tip #5

Remember that because all of this is natural DO NOT expect fast results. However expect slow and steady results which you can mange to sustain with a healthier lifestyle.

Tip #6

Recently, I just discovered that green tea can help a lot in losing weight by helping to detox. I've been drinking Shaklee Cinch Tea Mix for about 20 days plus now. I feel lighter and suprisingly it wards away my hunger and craving for caffeinated coffee. Read how I drink my tea HERE.

Tip #7

This is the basic but people tend to forget. DRINK A LOT. At least 2 Litres a day. Because the more you drink, the more u lose your 'gemuk air'. Helps your milk production too. If you're not so keen to drink plain water. Try infused water - very refreshing.

Infused water - Water with slices of lemon, cucumber and kiwi to be left overnight in the fridge.

Tip #8

Last but not least, anything good that you practiced during pregnancy; less sugary drinks and foods, junk food etc, just continue. Those bad habits will not help you lose weight nor stay healthy. Join me in my #sweetenoughchallenge if you are having problem to resist sugar like I do. I used to love to drink hot chocolate, strawberry milkshakes and teh tarik. Nowadays, when I drink outside or go to a friend/relative's house, I ask for a cup of hot water and add on my Cinch Tea Mix (which is always in my handbag).

Just remember, health and baby's milk comes first, then eventually, you'll lose weight :) 

Lots of love,

Mom of Maryam Sofea, engineer and Shaklee entrepeneur,

Sumaiyah Abd Ghani

012-7428446

sumaiyahag@gmail.com

FB: Sumaiyah Abd Ghani

IG: sumaiyahag

Twitter: sumaiyahag

Dear nursing working mommies

Here are some tips that I think are worth sharing for a good milk supply. Just beacause I'm one of you and I know how it feels :)

#1 Invest in a good breastpump.

I choose Medela Freestyle because it's so convenient for us busy career woman. I can pump with my eyes closed, while I'm doing my house chores, while I'm at my workstation, in the car; even while I'm driving (not recommended but do-able).

My life saviour!

This is my personal preference. You can choose whichever pump that suits you best. 

Just remember that being comfortable while expressing your milk is the key because when you're comfortable, your mind will receive positive signals and thus you'll be able to be more productive :) 

Some say that looking at your little one's picture or video while expressing can help too. I did this during the early stages of expressing at the office and It did help me to be more positive. 

On top of that, I also include zikr (Ya Matin - means the most unbrakable might) and prayers to Allah (for me to able to breastfeed my little one till she's 2 years old and may my breastfeeding journey be eased) while expressing.

#2 Invest in nutritious food and supplements.

When you're breastfeeding, you have to remember that you not only need to provide nutrients for your little one but you need to ensure that your body is fit enough for feeding. Anything that goes into you're body you will be sharing them with your mini. If you don't get enough calcium, your little one might be 'stealing' it all away and what's left for you is only a toothless grin. Scary, huh?

As adviced by my mother and from my personal reading (read: Google.hehe), these help increase milk supply:

- white radish (lobak putih in Malay). Usually my mom will just steam it during confinement but it doesn't taste so good.

- turnip (sengkuang in Malay)

- Oats

- Dates. Snack on it.

- almonds

- Fenugreek (halba in Malay). Boil the fenugreek and drink the boiled water OR you can just the purchase the Fenugreek pills from GNC ehe.

- anything with high fibre and protein

- rice 

- lots and lots of H2O (water in case you don't know hehe)

- Recipes I got from my sister's tukang urut:

1. Fresh milk HL + serbuk badam panggang + kismis kuning + honey = make a milkshake out of em.

2. Beli dr kedai Cina - longan kering + red dates + gula batu = boil em and drink the boiled water.

- Shaklee breastfeeding set (click HERE to purchase). This set can be consumed upon delivery except Alfalfa as it contains herbs. I totally recommend Shaklee supplements coz I've consumed them and I experienced great results from them. Not only did the supplements increased my milk supply, they also increased the quality of my milk, made me less lethargic and my skin that used to be scaly and dry turned to smooth and supple. Read about my breastfeeding journey with Shaklee in my previous post "Breastmilk is Best!".

#3 Most importantly, invest your unconditional love and time for your little one.

Your child will only be a baby once. Then, they'll be start crawling, walking, going to college and next thing you know they'll be getting married and will be having their own kid. Then, you'll definitely miss those intimate breastfeeding moments. Even now that my little Maryam is only one and a half years old, I can't imagine her not clinging on me. Sadddd. 

Waittt. I am missing my point here. What I meant is, when you spend more time with your little one, she/he will naturally be attached to you. And when there is demand, there will be supply, inshaAllah.

#4 Stay postive!

Your brain can sense your positivity and send signals to your body to produce milk. 

Remember, moms are designed to breastfeed their child(ren) so do not lose hope. 

If you're feeling low, reach for support. Your spouse, your family, your friends or even a Facebook support group should boost up your confidence. Share your fears. Know that you are not alone! Afterall, it's the natural thing to do.

Lots of love,

Mom of Maryam Sofea, engineer and Shaklee entrepeneur,

Sumaiyah Abd Ghani

012-7428446

sumaiyahag@gmail.com

FB: Sumaiyah Abd Ghani

IG: sumaiyahag

Twitter: sumaiyahag

USE. SHARE. BUILD.

USE.

SHARE. 

BUILD.

GUNA.

KONGSI.

BINA.

GUNA.

Sewaktu mengandungkan anak saya tahun lalu, saya memang dah bertekad nak menyusukan anak selama 2 tahun seperti disarankan dalam Islam. Selepas melahirkan anak sulung saya pada Mac 2013, baru saya tahu betapa peritnya menyusukan anak. Dalam tempoh berpantang, susu saya merudum teruk. Rasa sedih sangat sangat air mata mengalir lajuuuu je masa tu. Selepas a lot of research (Google and asking around) saya bertemu dengan Shaklee. Saya beli set menyusu. Saya guna. Hasilnya sangat memberansangkan! Susu jadi pekat! Sembelit tiada lagi! Rasa lebih bertenaga! 

KONGSI.

Perkara baik takkan nak simpan sorang-sorang kan? Saya pasti ramaaai ibu di luar sana yang boleh dapat manfaat dari Shaklee juga macam saya. Lebih-lebih lagi rakan-rakan saya yang rata-rata memang ibu baru, bakal ibu atau bakal berkahwin pada waktu itu. Saya nak bantu mereka untuk capai impian menyusukan anak juga. Saya nak mereka rasa apa yang saya rasa. Saya suka sangat bila rakan pejabat atau kawan lama tanya saya tips-tips masih menyusukan anak (anak saya sekarang setahun 5bulan). Saya akan semangat bercerita termasuk suplemen Shaklee yang saya amalkan.

BINA.

Bila rakan-rakan lihat dan rasakan perubahan positif dari suplemen Shaklee dan amalan-amalan lain yang saya kongsi, mereka dengan sendiri nak rasakan kesan yang sama seterusnya nak sarankan kepada kawan mereka pula. Jadi, tanpa sedar sebuah empayar perniagaan telah terbina. Sesuai lah dengan konsep "bantu orang untuk bantu orang lain" (Help others to help others).

Salah satu konsep USE, SHARE, BUILD.

Next week alan jumpa my future biz partner ni inshaAllah

Mudah tak berShaklee?

Sumaiyah | 012-7428446 | SID: 1097781 | FB: Sumaiyah Abd Ghani | COD sekitar Bandar Baru Bangi, Cyberjaya dan Shah Alam.

Breastmilk is best!

-- CAUTION: DO NOT READ IF YOU'RE AGAINST BREASTFEEDING --


Breastfeeding is NOT EASY at the initial stage.

You will cry.

You will have sleepless nights.

And yes, you will say, "I think I don't have milk. Poor baby crying his eyes out coz his hungry"...and start to contemplate on formula feeding. 

I was in that situation after giving birth to my baby girl. Baby cried every 10 minutes. I cried 2 days at the hospital at night because I thought I don't have milk.

Then my sister who is a doctor (busy all the time BUT manage to bf her babies for 2 years. If she can do it, no one else should use the excuse of busy) told me, as long as baby pee and poo, THERE IS MILK. She told me to google COLOSTRUM and from there I found out, baby only need 1 tablespoon of colostrum in first few days. Her tummy is just the size of a marble. There is milk!

New moms who plan to breastfeed, please do not take lightly the importance of breastfeeding classes. Initial stages is not easy. Fathers, your support is important. First few days, moms will be confined at her bed every few hours just to train her breast, body and baby so your support is crucial. Support doesn't mean just saying positive things. Get up together for night time feeds. Help out with housework. Help change diapers and bathe babies. Co parenting is the way to do it. InsyaAllah I guarantee your wife will LOVE YOU EXTRA.

Sebelum beranak dulu memang dah pasang niat nak susukan anak sampai 2 tahun. Alhamdulillah memang selalu amalkan surah Al-Hujurat.

Tambah kuat lagi niat untuk menyusu sehingga 2 tahun bila baca hadith ni :')

4th day dah start mengepam utk buat stok. Supply was ok. Tak banyak tapi oklah nak buat stok. Nurse pun cakap awal-awal ni baby tak minum banyak. So you'll supply according to your baby's needs. Masuk bulan kedua, masa tu dah nak start kerja, milk supply tetiba makin sikit.... 2oz pun seksa nak dapat. Dahla cair sangat. Sambil pam sambil nangis. Sedih sangat. Mcm mana nak susukan Maryam sampai 2tahun niiii kalau 2bulan pun tak lepas? Kakak pulak (masa tu dia baru beranak) sekali pam terus dapat 10oz at least. Lagila sedih. Org kata makan lobak putih, kurma, oat, milo, nasi bebanyak, almond, semua dah makan.

Then i found about Shaklee via Facebook. Ramai cakap Energizing Soy Protein (ESP for short) ni bagus untuk increase milk supply. And formula milk was (and still) not an option for me. Kebetulan my sister Yang (Fatimah) pulak baru berjinak-jinak nak jadi pengedar. Apa lagi teruslah order Full Breastfeeding set.

The complete Shaklee breastfeeding set that changed my life

Alhamdulliah susu jadi pekat dan Maryam pun dah kurang meragam. Bukan nak melakukan ESP since aku pengedar Shaklee sekarang tapi ini kisah benar. After amek ESP for 8months lah then i finally decided untuk jadi pengedar. Simply because i need to share the goodness i obtained from this product coz sharing is caring. And good things are meant to be shared. Kita usaha, inshaAllah Allah bantu. Oh boleh nampak tau kalau aku mengelat ESP je mesti susu merudum balik.

Tapi korang kena ingat, bukan semudah mengambil ESP je untuk increase milk supply ni. Ada pengorbanan yang perlu dibuat. Kakchik (my sis who is a doc and baru deliver 2nd child masa tu) selalu pesan yang Power Pumping itu wajib! It's all about supply & demand mommies!

Breastpump pun memainkan peranan tau. I chose Medela Freestyle; the best investment ever! Paling afdhal pam tetengah malam; between 12am-6am; coz that's when your milk supply is at an optimum level. Bertabahlah bersengkang mata untuk mengepam demi kualiti susu anak anda inshaAllah.

What is Power Pumping you ask? Kalau guna double pump like mine, pump 15mins, rest 10mins, pump 15mins, rest 10mins, pump 15mins. So 3pumping sessions with 2breaks in 1hour. Ada lagi cara lain, contoh untuk yang guna single pump etc. Google aje ;)

To purchase the Shaklee Full Breastfeeding Set you can click HERE or you can always reach out to me.


Breastfeeding for the win yaw!
Still fully breastfeeding my 15months Maryam Sofea
XO,
Sumaiyah | 0127428446
Pengedar sah Shaklee: 1097781
FB: Sumaiyah Abd Ghani
email: sumaiyahag@gmail.com

The awesome ESP that changed my life

Bismillah. This is my first ever entry.

Di kelas Blogging For Millionaires (BFM) 2.0 kelolaan Master Aishah Amin.

Kami diberi hanya 10minit untuk menyiapkan entri mengenai kenangan bersama ESP ini. So here goes...

Memula kenal Shaklee, specifically Energizing Soy Protein atau nama manjanya ESP ni, rasanya macam kebanyakan ibu lain. Selepas bersalin dan perlu menyusu anak.

Selepas dapat tahu pregnant memang dah nekad dapat anak nanti mesti menyusu penuh anak selama 2 tahun. Tak boleh jadi tidak. Little did I know It won't be as easy as it sounds...

So nak pendekkan cerita, selepas bersalin, saya memang sangat struggle dengan produksi susu. Sehinggakan anak saya perlu dimasukkan ke NICU pada hari ke-7 kelahiran kerana dehydrated. Sedih memang sedih tapi saya dah nekad. Saya yakin setiap ibu memang dicipta untuk menyusukan anaknya. Maka google punya google saya terjumpa ramai ibu menyusu dapat manfaat dari Shaklee dan kebetulan kakak saya baru sahaja berdaftar sebagai distributor Shaklee. Saya pun belilah set lengkap menyusu Shaklee termasuklah ESP tu. 

Alangkah bahagianya after few days of consuming ESP serta Alfalfa, saya dapat rasakan the 'let down' feeling dan anak menyusu dengan bahagia. Lena tidurnya. Bila pam susu, susu nampak lebih pekat dan akhirnya dapat buat stok yang berkualiti.

Tapi yang paling best dan tak sangka langsung, kulit muka saya yang dulu kering kontang (walau dah cuba pelbagai moisturizer), sekarang dah lembut :D Alhamdulillhah rupanya ESP ini ada efek berganda uols! Aint that just AWESOME! 

Hubungi saya untuk menempah ESP atau hanya klik sini
Sumaiyah | 0127428446 | sumaiyahag@gmail.com | FB: Sumaiyah Abd Ghani