Question about caloric intake and breastfeeding

SunnyDuckz

Currently I have MFP set to allow 1200 calories daily. I have been eating some of my excersize calories.
I am breastfeeding though... my son only nurses 3-4 times a day. How do I take this onto account, or should I even bother?
Thank you!

shreddingit

through my journey I breastfeed full time, I made sure to get 1600-2000 healthy calories

ladyhawk00

It's recommended to add 200-500 cals per day for breastfeeding. If you're only nursing a few times a day, I'd go with toward the lower amount. But yes, you do still need to compensate for it as it is nutrients that your child and you both need.

yankeefamily05

How old is your son?
I only ask this because when my daughter was an infant I was allowing around 500 extra calories a day for breastfeeding alone. You can put it under food in your journal. So that took me to 2100 calories BEFORE I even worked out. It is very important to eat enough to keep producing milk. Now that my daughter is 27 months old and still nursing, I don't log that much in. I just eat a solid 1600 calories a day. I remember reading that it takes 10 calories to produce 1 oz of milk.

Here is some info from kellymom.com about nursing infants: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-calories-fluids.html

pftjill

Thank you for this-while I have had no prob at all with my milk supply I get scared that I will lose it and I like to nurse at least until a year.

darlindoll

It's really important t add 200-500 extra calories for breastfeeding because if you don't your milk will not have the proper nutrition for your baby and your baby would be better off with formula. My sister kept her calories really low and she had to stop breastfeeding because her son wasn't getting enough nutrition with the milk and she didn't want to up her calories. I know how hard it is to up calories after having a baby and wanting so bad to lose the weight, but it's necessary.

yankeefamily05

When in doubt just contact a local lactation consultant, or go to kellymom.com! I have found their site to be very helpful in my breastfeeding journey!

chile_chicken

I breastfeed my older son 2-3 times a day. I search breastfeeding under Snacks and it automatically deducts 300 calories form my daily intake if I add it as a food. I hope that helps!

SunnyDuckz

Super! Thank you for the info
My son is 2 years old. He eats lots of other foods and I don't have issues with my supply, but I'll log it as a snack as was suggested
Thanks again!

yankeefamily05

Super! Thank you for the info
My son is 2 years old. He eats lots of other foods and I don't have issues with my supply, but I'll log it as a snack as was suggested
Thanks again!

Congrats nursing for so long!!! We are far and few in between so when I see someone who is still nursing at 2 yrs I like to say good job:)!!!!

SunnyDuckz

Super! Thank you for the info
My son is 2 years old. He eats lots of other foods and I don't have issues with my supply, but I'll log it as a snack as was suggested
Thanks again!

Congrats nursing for so long!!! We are far and few in between so when I see someone who is still nursing at 2 yrs I like to say good job:)!!!!

Thanks! My oldest was b'fed for 18 months, my middle child 2 1/2 years and 2 years so far for the youngest Not a drop of formula. Of course, my body hangs onto weight while nursing so, it is very hard to lose weight. I know, it's the other way around for most moms though, lol.