Add baby's weight to mine?

Kateindc

I just had my second little one in May, and have just started working out again. I walk and do some activities wearing my baby to up what I burn. I'm curious though if anyone knows how to best calculate the extra calories burned (over what I'd normally burn for the same activity)?

When I walk I use the Nike+ Run app, which calculates calories burned using your weight and distance covered. Anybody know if I can just enter my weight as mine + baby's and get a semi accurate calculation?

MakePeasNotWar

I think that might overstate calorie burn, especially if the app assumes a consistent lean body mass percentage (i.e. increased muscle mass in proportion to the increase in total mass)
I'd try to find a database that includes walking with a load if you are concerned with accuracy.

Ninkyou

I would not include baby's weight. Just consider it an extra bonus I guess, but don't include it with your burns.

kristydi

I wear my 2 year old a lot too. I typically don't include her weight (30lbs). I figure that helps even out any overestimations.

Plus, you're wearing a 2-3 month old. That's what 15lbs? Not gonna make that big a difference.

3dogsrunning

Ninkyou wrote: »

I would not include baby's weight. Just consider it an extra bonus I guess, but don't include it with your burns.

This is what I do. It helps offset the times I am less active or the little inaccuracies in logging.

It's not going to make a huge difference.

ZyheeMoongazer

My standard advice whenever someone is not sure how to estimate their calories burned is to invest in a HRM. It is really the best investment you can make in terms of workout costs, except for a good pair of shoes I guess. Years ago they used to be very pricey, but the cost has really come down. You can get a basic model for around $70, less if you got with a used item.

TheVirgoddess

Yeah no, I would not.

SherryTeach

I would get a heart rate monitor and use those calories. I used mine when I carried my grandson all around San Francisco in his Baby Bjorn. I'm sure my calorie burn was higher than it would have been without him, but I'm not sure by how much.

Kateindc

Thanks all! I guess I'll just consider it a bonus. I don't really care about the difference except that I'm breastfeeding, so I want to make sure I'm keeping the right balance between what I eat and burn. But if it won't be a huge difference I won't worry about it.