Question about breast feeding calories :)

KRB28

I am breast feeding my 6 month old baby who now is eating solids. Before eating solids I added 500 calories but now that he's on solids I've changed it to 300 calories. I have no clue if I'm eating enough or eating too much. I'm hoping someone could help me.

I tend to eat around 1200-1300 calories a day and that's after deducting the 300 calories plus I usually burn about 450-500 calories on a daily basis. Should I be eating more? Thanks for any help

herblackwings39

I know you can add breastfeeding to your food dairy daily. There are options of number of feedings and such to help estimate how many calories your body is using.

_KrisMarie_

I think you're a little too low on your calories. I breastfed my daughter exclusively for 6 months, and then continued with solids for two and a half years total. I stayed around 1800 calories, which I believe is what La Leche League recommends. I still lost weight.

Eat at least 1500-1800 calories per day
While nursing, you should not consume less than 1500-1800 calories per day, and most women should stay at the high end of this range. Some mothers will require much more than this, but studies show that going below this number may put supply at risk.

From here: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-weightloss/

Just up it a bit; you'll still lose.

And good for you for breastfeeding, lady!! :flowerforyou:

thefragile7393

I think you're a little too low on your calories. I breastfed my daughter exclusively for 6 months, and then continued with solids for two and a half years total. I stayed around 1800 calories, which I believe is what La Leche League recommends. I still lost weight.

Eat at least 1500-1800 calories per day
While nursing, you should not consume less than 1500-1800 calories per day, and most women should stay at the high end of this range. Some mothers will require much more than this, but studies show that going below this number may put supply at risk.

From here: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-weightloss/

Just up it a bit; you'll still lose.

And good for you for breastfeeding, lady!! :flowerforyou:

this. Any lower and you can risk a decrease in milk supply (found that out from personal experience). Kellymom has some great great articles. And congrats on the baby and nursing!

KRB28

I am eating 1500 calories but once I add the 300 calories into my journal it looks like I'm only eating 1200. So I should be eating 1800 with the 300 already deducted? So really like I'm eating 2100 calories? Sorry, I'm so confused. I haven't had any decrease in my supply.

momma_gem

I am EBF my 3 months old. I have my calories set at 1900 and exercise about 100-200 calories per day. I don't consume my exercise calories, so I am eating about 17-1800 a day; however, the weight has been coming off. I don't 'think' my supply has been affected, but I am losing weight faster than kellymom.com recommends, and there are days when she seems a little extra cranky (I worry that she's still hungry), so I make sure to eat those calories!

_KrisMarie_

I am eating 1500 calories but once I add the 300 calories into my journal it looks like I'm only eating 1200. So I should be eating 1800 with the 300 already deducted? So really like I'm eating 2100 calories? Sorry, I'm so confused. I haven't had any decrease in my supply.

I'm guessing when you say "add the 300" there's some food diary button for breastfeeding and that subtracts 300 calories. I would say eat 1800-2000 calories net after exercise. So, don't worry about the breastfeeding button (if there is one). Aim for 1800-2000 calories. If you burn 300 exercising, then eat 2100-2300 total for the day. Healthy food. And a lot of fluids (water, not soda).

Add me if you'd like and I'll be happy to take a look at your diary, but that's up to you.