Exercising and breast feeding

bobbiedr

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this to.

I have just been medically cleared to start going back to a normal life after having a baby. I am breast feed my baby, so I know I am already burning at least 300 calories a day. However, I am going to start exercising on Monday. I want to make sure that I keep my supply up, so I am pretty sure I should at least eat 300 extra calories a day to cover the BF deficit. However, should I eat the extra cals that I burn during my workouts? Will that affect my supply?

Does anyone have advice on how to handle this?

chandanista

I've been through it twice, and my suggestion is based on my experience; your physiology could easily be different.

Don't worry about cutting back right now. Don't go hog wild and eat 8000 calories a day obviously, but just worry about getting stronger for now. The weight will come off, maybe not until you are done breastfeeding, but at least you will have muscles to work with when you are done breastfeeding.

I had no success losing weight through diet while breastfeeding. I did walk a lot and run 5ks, but I did not lose much weight. After weaning, and adjusting my diet accordingly, the weight has been coming off. While I was producing milk it was like my body was scared of starvation or something, and it held onto every pound as long as it could.

AlwaysWanderer

Milk supply is established around 3 months after delivery, so I'd wait until then before you start having big calorie deficit. It's fine to exercise, but make sure you're eating those calories back. Recommendations are to eat at least 1800 cals a day plus exercise.
I started exercising when my baby was 6 mo, and still going now at 7 mo, no effect on milk supply unless I drop below 1500cals a day (I'm very short). Good luck and congratulations on your baby. :flowerforyou: