Breastfeeding Moms - Growth Spurts?

MaKisMom

My baby is just about 3 months and I'm pretty sure he's going through a growth spurt. He's eating almost hourly during the day. I am extra hungry because of it. Would you add in extra calories during a growth spurt since you're producing more milk? I add in an extra 300/day generally because of breastfeeding, but I'm wondering if, until he's through this, I should add more?

M_lifts

oh thats the monster growth spurt, my daughter's lasted about a month! I couldnt diet when i was breastfeeding so kudos to you for trying. I found that i was constantly hungry. maybe you could try upping your intake of fruit and veg during this time? so healthy calories rather than empty calories like junk?

WildcatMom82

Generally for babies less than 6 months or exclusively breastfed they recommend 500 extra calories daily, so I would definitely do more if I were you. I do 300 extra daily and my baby is down to only 4 nursing sessions now.

Tzavush

Don't forget also to increase your water/fluid intake

Jenni268

I always added an additional 500 calories daily while I was breastfeeding. Growth Spurt or not! I nursed two little ones, both for about a year!

MaKisMom

Thanks for the advice. He's my 3rd, I breastfed both of my older ones for just over a year each. I wasn't really counting calories with #1, and with #2 I didn't start until after the 3mo mark. Maybe I'll change it to 500 cal just to be safe.

jacque1109

Yes, yes and yes!

I remember being SO hungry during the first 6 months of my babies life--- yes, I would add extra calories... My problem was I chose the WRONG things to eat... so, my suggestion would be to eat yogarts, fruits, and veggies--- stay clear of chips, cookies, fast food etc....

Also, I started walking the baby and that helped shed some pounds while spending time with the baby.

Kudos for breastfeeding, I BF my baby for 15 months and had a really awesome experience

jacque1109

Thanks for the advice. He's my 3rd, I breastfed both of my older ones for just over a year each. I wasn't really counting calories with #1, and with #2 I didn't start until after the 3mo mark. Maybe I'll change it to 500 cal just to be safe.

crap sorry I just saw this You're an old pro!

MaKisMom

Thanks for the advice. He's my 3rd, I breastfed both of my older ones for just over a year each. I wasn't really counting calories with #1, and with #2 I didn't start until after the 3mo mark. Maybe I'll change it to 500 cal just to be safe.

crap sorry I just saw this You're an old pro!

LOL, it feels like I've been pregnant or BFing for the last 6+ years straight! I haven't, but it feels like it.
I love walking, I have a double stroller to put the younger 2 in while my 5yo is at kindergarten. But, it's still cold here, we're expecting over 5" of snow tomorrow, and pushing the double stroller through melting snow is tough. I do it some days, but it's not much fun yet. Once it warms up, I plan to do it every day. That's how I lost all my baby weight with #2. Two and a half miles pushing the double stroller every day.