New and want to improve-nursing mom help

growingestradas

Hi yall!

So I'm a mom of two under two. My little one is 4 months old today and we exclusively nurse. I gained 35 pounds this pregnancy after not fulling losing all the baby weight from my first son (I was 122 pounds when I got pregnant again.) I started a cardio/weight/HIIT regimine last Monday and so far have lost 2.6 pounds. I'm wondering about calorie intake levels. I'm not a big eater but everyone yells at you to eat more when you're nursing. I just want to know what a safe low calorie count is for a nursing mom. I'm 5'6 and 129 pounds and I drink 6-8 cups of water plus 4-5 cups of tea a day. My husband was nominated for an Emmy and not to be vain, but j want to make sure I look my best in a fancy pants dress next month. Help?

bendyourkneekatie

This is a good place to start: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/

You're already at a healthy weight, it's probably best to focus more on exercise/weight training if you're unhappy with how you look, rather than weight loss. There's an awesome picture often posted around here showing different body-fat percentages and how they look, and the lower fat % but higher weight # look noticeably fitter/more toned/etc. Once you've hit a healthy weight (which you have, 4 months after having your second child, well done! It's taken me 10 months! Btw- isn't 2 under 2 fun?!? Lol) i think most would recommend focussing on weight training and body recomp.

Please don't drop to a crazy low calorie count while nursing a 4 month old. You could easily make yourself ill, and potentially lose your milk supply.

janjunie

This is just for me but I'm 5'5 112lbs ebf my 6 month old and I eat 2000-2300 calories a day...this seems to be my maintance. I also work out on average 4 times a week cardio/weight machines. You don't want to go too low with the calories because the first thing to suffer will be your energy level, your hair and skin and then lastly your milk supply. It's typically recommended that ebf women should eat an extra 500 calories on average. Exercising has been the best thing I've done and although I've reached my prepregnancy weight already I think I look better now than I did before I got pregnant with my last baby.

growingestradas

Super helpful! Thank you so much!

terbusha

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You should definitely chat with your pediatrician about it. You want to be eating enough so that you don't compromise your supply. My wife got sick when she was nursing our son, ate very little for a week, her supply went way down and never recovered. The kiddo is the top priority, so cover nursing first, and work on a slow weight loss next.