Nursing and Running | "Werk it" Out Wednesdays

You know what guys? I've been milk free (as in human milk) for about a year now and just realized that I never talked about my experience in nursing and running.

Because guys - it's definitely an experience and not for the self-conscious.

I talked about nursing sports bras HERE, but never elaborated on HOW you work in nursing around a run schedule - especially if you're training for a race!

 Lifting up a sweaty SPORTS bra isn't fun at all, but trying to put everything back in place while still sweaty ... HORRIBLE. So first tip, get a nursing sports bra. When I found the perfect nursing sports bra, nursing my daughter on the go became much easier. It was just trying to figure out the logistic of it.

And sometimes this means stopping mid run, sitting on the curb and nursing the baby girl. This is also were modesty really went out the window. I used to be so self-conscious of nursing my children out in public. I remember with my first, I legit went to the bathroom to nurse because I just didn't feel right. (ew) When I had my second, I still covered up, but finally realized that I didn't give a flying F what other people thought ... but still would be modest.

 
My third child? Forgetaboutit. I didn't derobe every time, but I did leave the coverup at home and just fed my baby when my baby was hungry. I didn't (and still don't) care if other people were uncomfortable. And in fact, my husband just wanted SOMEONE to say SOMETHING to me -- but luckily, it never came. Every where I nursed, I wasn't bothered. Even in the baby isle in Target, sitting on their sample rocking chair.

I was nursing still when I ran my first half marathon. My second son was just 6 months old. My mother was at home with the eldest and the baby ... 4 states away. What did I do? I brought my pump.

I pumped just before I left for the racing stalls and then pumped right after the race upon returning to the hotel (even though my breasts were soooo swollen, sweaty and in pain). I traveled and ran with a group of ladies who are all about women empowerment and didn't mind at all.

Basically, that's what I did for training as well. I would nurse before going out for miles and then nurse when I got back. I tried to schedule my training sessions around his nap time but shit, they eat like every 1-2 hours and when you're running miles ... it takes time! LOL

When I had my third, I wasn't training for anything particular ... but decided to run the El Paso Half marathon since we would be leaving within the next year. Every workout I went to, I would nurse her before hand. She was a little better at holding off feeding time until I got a shower in afterwards BUT sometimes, she wasn't having it. I would grab a baby wipe, pop open the nursing sports bra, wipe myself and then feed.

My mommy workout groups didn't mind at all. And when I did have to stop midrun? I stopped and fed. After all, just as getting in the miles is important - this (FEEDING YOUR CHILD) is important. I'd have to stop if she was bottle fed too. So, no big deal. You're a mommy 24/7 - you are a runner part-time.

She was only 5 months old when I ran the half and I was fairly certain I was going to have to stop to nurse her. My husband (and family) was going to be at mile 10/12 at the water station Team RWB was hosting. I kept them posted on my location and time on target. If she was hungry, I was going to stop and nurse her. If I was in pain, I was going to stop and nurse her. But when I got to the water station, my husband let me know that she wasn't fussy, she wasn't hungry and she was happy. I wasn't in pain, so we made the decision to keep moving. I nursed her after completing my half and she was just fine.

Do you see her in the Tula?? My hubby was wearing her while he volunteered.

My advice? Nurse or pump before working out. Nurse or pump after you shower, or make sure you have some way to clean yourself before nursing. I don't know if that makes any difference or not, but I just felt bad nursing sweaty! LOL

Whatever you do, you know you best. Do what works for you. Set goals and do what you need to do to reach them. All I know is, training for something after pregnancy helped me stay motivated to workout while pregnant and helped me lose weight fast after pregnancy. What works for me may not work for you though! But don't give up. Take it day by day and see what works for you.

"Werkit Out" Girl!

Tighten Down the Hatches | 'Werkit' Out Wednesday

   As I near out my "6 weeks recovery" postpartum, I've been itching to get moving again.

I mean, I understand the whole purpose of waiting 6 weeks after birth to do anything ... your body just went through hell to bring life into this world ... but BOY! Am I bored and tired of being "chubby!"

One issue though ... I'm still nursing. I nursed my middle boy while I trained for a half marathon. So, I mean, it's not THAT big of a deal. I just remember the hassle of sports bras and nursing while on a long run with the stroller (and baby of course).

I felt like I was in a straight-jacket. You need a bra that is tight enough to keep your ladies from jiggling too much, but you also want a bra that is comfortable if you HAD to nurse in a jiffy.

There was no in-between.

So I went to the best sources I knew, Facebook friends.

I asked them about the best nursing sports bras that they could think of. A lot offered their opinions, but most said Motherhood (the store) had the best, most comfy sports nursing bras out there. So, I headed to Motherhood.

motherhood.com

This is what I found ... though cute, this is not going to hold my large nursing boobs full of milk while I run. I did try on the bra just in case I was just being stubborn.

I did a few jumping jacks in the changing room, and sure enough, I almost lost an eye. This sports bra is probably good for Yoga or low impact exercise ... definitely not running or lifting or high impact exercise. Mostly, I believe, is because of the straps. They don't support. So you're relying on main part of the bra to compress but gravity takes over.

I did however, purchase a few sleep nursing bras from Motherhood that are OH SO comfy and cute too! I mean, I have TWO lacy sleep bras and I actually feel sexy laying next to my hubby. I mean, I'm still wearing my moo moo to bed, but at least I have lace underneath! 

When I went back to my Facebook friends to tell them my discovery on the bra, they all said the same thing, "Oh yeah. I didn't run in my bras."

Well, with a little dismay I headed to Amazon.com to try and find some damn bras. I was determined not to strangle myself while nursing and training.

I found pretty much the same types of "sports bras" online. Apparently society (or at least businesses) don't think nursing mommas like to run as well.

I DID stumble across Le Leche League's sports nursing bras:

Amazon.com

I was skeptical, so I read the reviews on it from women who had purchased it.

It seemed that the low ratings outdid the high ratings ... but I thought in the back of my head, "It's Le Leche League ... They know what they're talking about and why would they endorse a shit product?"

So I took the leap and purchased two.

And I love them.

They hold my big ass puppies down (as much as a normal sports bra would), they fit fine, they nurse great and I dig it. I'm not a small lady ... I purchased large because according to the sizing chart that's what I'd be. (and I wear large normal nursing bras) I was nervous about the fit because a lot of reviews said they were smaller than actual fit, but I figured smaller would be good. Tighter, less bounce.

They fit GREAT. I honestly think it's true to fit. I don't know why other ladies said they were smaller ... but my bras fit great. They look great under the shirt (most nursing bras make you look saggy ... in my opinion).

You do get the uni-boob that most regular sports bras give, but what do you expect?! It's a tight sports bra that actually works in holding down your breasts!

The opening for the nursing section is held together with a clasp (which I love because pull downs stretch and loose their tightness after a while)

The one thing I DON'T like? The clasp is up near the collar bone, much higher than other nursing bras. It can be difficult trying to be discrete and unlatch the clasp with one hand, but it's workable.

 Just today I went for a 1 mile jog with the bra. There is bounce, but not too much. I mean, I think it's going to vary on how big you actually are. But this bra actually makes it possible to do high impact exercising while nursing. Way to go Le Leche League!

They have many different colors, but for my size I got the boring colors, grey and black. LOL But you should go purchase your own today! Click HERE!

Even if you don't own or want to buy a high impact nursing sports bra, get outside and move! Push your baby in the stroller on a nice walk or baby wear him/her around the block. The main key to getting back to feeling like yourself after pushing a watermelon out your crotch, is moving. Stretch, do yoga, etc. Just move!

'Werkit' out guys!