Logging non tradition work-outs

shannonhristinalee

Hi there!
Any new moms out there have tips on how to log various pp calorie burns? Ie breast feeding, pumping etc.

sarabushby

You really don’t need to log these activities, just consider it part of your normal daily activity. The same as say, walking from your car to your desk at work. Or hanging the laundry out.
You’ll be much better off if you just log the extra calorie burn from purposeful exercise.

AnnPT77

Creating the milk and then giving away those nutrients does have a calorie cost. I've seen women around here estimate it at around 500 calories/day. Perhaps one of the other recent moms can give a more nuanced answer.

If reasonable, that exceeds what I'd personally try to including in my activity level. It seems more straightforward to estimate it as if it were exercise.

I'd agree with estimating the other mechanics of baby care (pumping, washing, dressing, playing, whatever) into baseline activity level.

cmriverside

If breast milk production and feeding that milk "costs" 500 calories per day, which seems to be the standard, then I would just raise my daily calorie Goal by 500. I mean that part is non-negotiable right now.

Ask your doctor what the allowance would be calorie-wise for breastfeeding.

StaciInGa

Set your MFP target to 'maintain' knowing that exclusively breastfeeding and/or pumping (or some combination of) should result in a 1 pound per week loss rate. Stay well hydrated, get rest (when you can, I know that is a hard one) and do not cut your calories too low or your supply could suffer.