Nursing moms? Help!

Queen_JessieA

I had my son on 12/8 and I am nursing...so first and foremost, I am looking to make sure my milk supply is good. Any idea on how to determine caloric range to maintain my milk and to lose?

pineygirl

Right now don't focus on losing weight. Focus on establishing your supply. Eat 200 to 300 calories above your TDEE, up to 500 over if you are struggling with supply. Then once your milk supply is established (around 8 weeks pp) drop calories gradually to maintenence and let the breastfeeding create the deficit.

Try not to go below 1800 calories. Also you can try to eat foods that increase supply like oatmeal while trying to lose weight.

Queen_JessieA

Thanks! I am definitely not cutting at this point. He is a bit colicky, so I am trying to eat but when he is screaming a good bit, I have to eat quick. I gained 9 pounds with him and I have lost 22 since I had him in just 4 weeks. He is gaining - already up to 10.2 pounds as of a drs appt this morning

sophomorelove

Hang in there. I had a colicky baby and the first 3.5 months seemed like an eternity! Just try to eat nutrient dense foods, drink lots of water, and go on long walks with your kiddo. And what pineygirl said.

ragenhay1

Great advice from the previous poster! I found meal replacement shakes very helpful in the first few months. Very quick to make (quicker of it is a ready made one) and easy to get down while breastfeeding or holding baby. Of course real food is best but not always possible while taking care of a new born. Shakes were one of my go to's for the first month. My guy is now five months. I've lost 25 lbs while exclusively breastfeeding. I eat about 1800 calories a day and work out five days a week for an hour. I started when he was two months old.