Breastfeeding

woahitsangie

How many of you are breastfeeding and using the app? I've been logging 500 Cals for exercise each day, is that a good amount? I've also been just walking, afraid that if I do too much, too soon my supply will decrease. Anybody in the same boat with advice?

Bowsergirl

I'm breastfeeding an 8 month old. I don't add extra calories for breastfeeding, but I end up eating around 2000 calories a day with my exercise calories.
My advice would be to make sure you're not trying to lose weight too soon after having your baby.
Also decrease your calories slowly, I think that helps keep your supply from dropping. It worked for me, but everyone is different. I've seen women talk about only eating 1200 calories and not having milk problems. If I drop below 1400 though I seem to have issues.

MLowe13

I'm breastfeeding as well. My little girl is 7 weeks old and I'm not logging any calories for breastfeeding right now. I have only sporadically been logging calories eaten. From what I have seen before the baby is about 12 weeks old dropping below 1800 calories isn't recommended. Right now I have my goals set to .5 lbs per week. I haven't lost much past my pre pregnancy weight but I am planning to try to start the push for weight loss in about a month or so. But even then I don't plan to drop too much too fast because right now breastfeeding is more of a priority than losing weight.

must_deflate

I ate like a horse and lost weight regardless.

bstrahm

I haven't lost any weight since the hospital and babe is 3 months old tomorrow. So I am starting up myfitnesspal again. I'm giving myself a 1200 calorie a week plan ( lose 1 lb a week) and 500 calories a day under exercise for breastfeeding. She's EBF and nurses 6+ times a day. I'll see how this works for a month and then adjust if I need too.

Hurricane_C

I'm currently breastfeeding my 10 week old daughter. I started using MFP again when she was only about 2 weeks. I have it set to lose 1 lb/ week and typically just eat back my exercise calories to cover the BFing. Exercise calories usually come from walking at work and evening walks. I try to make sure I'm not going too overboard will calories - usually eating around 2000-2100 per day (to put me around 1500-1600 once you factor in BFing). I've been able to lose almost all of my pregnancy weight and trying to start on the weight I wanted to lose before I got pregnant. So far, I haven't noticed a supply issue. Just make sure that you're eating enough calories and staying hydrated (that's my biggest issue).

Any BF'ing mommies feel free to add me

eidan76

Hi,
I had my second boy in mid-may, and am exclusively breastfeeding him. Anyone know how many extra calories i should plan on consuming?
Hurricane_c mentioned an extra 500. Is this based on a medical recommendation or have you read up on this..? Also is 1lb a week (that's about 0.5 kg, right?) the best rate? I don't want to go for anything too drastic, (goodness knows I wouldn't be able to keep up with it anyway).
Thanks for the help.

WildePillar

eidan76 wrote: »

Hi,
I had my second boy in mid-may, and am exclusively breastfeeding him. Anyone know how many extra calories i should plan on consuming?
Hurricane_c mentioned an extra 500. Is this based on a medical recommendation or have you read up on this..? Also is 1lb a week (that's about 0.5 kg, right?) the best rate? I don't want to go for anything too drastic, (goodness knows I wouldn't be able to keep up with it anyway).
Thanks for the help.

I'm exclusively breastfeeding an eight month old. A lot of studies show that breastfeeding women burn an additional 500 calories a day by nursing. It's approx. 20 calories burned per ounce. I set my base calories at 2,000 a day, and then add exercise.

WildePillar

bstrahm wrote: »

I haven't lost any weight since the hospital and babe is 3 months old tomorrow. So I am starting up myfitnesspal again. I'm giving myself a 1200 calorie a week plan ( lose 1 lb a week) and 500 calories a day under exercise for breastfeeding. She's EBF and nurses 6+ times a day. I'll see how this works for a month and then adjust if I need too.

1200 calories a day is really low for a breastfeeding woman, so be careful. It really isn't advised to go below 1800, as this can compromise lactation. I never go below 2,000, personally, because I notice a dip in lactation if I do. My daughter is eight months old.

eidan76

Awesome, thanks!

Rozzipops

Breastfeeding right now lol!!! Set calories at 1600. I don't add any to exercise at all as I just walk. I take pictures of every meal I have and all drinks so am mindful of what is going in!!! So easy to eat kids left overs with 2 kids!!!! Lost 4lbs already.......

andihwc

I am breastfeeding an eight month old so she is no longer exclusively breastfed. I used MFP to calculate my calories for one pound per week weight loss (I am obese). I'm estimating 3/4 of her intake is breast milk so I give myself 3/4 of the Exclusive Breastfeeding entry in my food diary. I don't like using it as an exercise entry because it's not exercise. This is a negative entry so it "gives" you calories to eat. I eat back at least half of my exercise calories (I use a Fitbit). I'm 5'2" and this calculation means I end up eating between 1700 and 2000 calories a day and am losing around one pound per week. I drink lots of water and take my prenatal vitamins.

Each mom will have different needs. For example, if you aren't obese, I would think that you will want to set for .5 pounds per week to protect milk supply and allow calories for proper nutrition. When in doubt, talk to a lactation specialist about your specific situation and goals. I have lost more than 20 pounds since June using this formula (when baby WAS exclusively breastfeeding).