Calories for a breastfeeding mother

mommyrox05

So I am a nursing mommy, and I know that nursing mothers need to consume more than average calories a day..and I figured out how to log the feedings, and it adds calories(300) to what my goal isper feeding...I am wondering if I should be logging this every time that my daughter nurses or if I should just be logging it once a day!!! Yesterday I logged that I nursed her 3 times which added 900 calories to my 1280-that is my goal. Just seems like a lot! I did some research and found that lactating mothers should consume 1500-2200 calories per day...and that it's recomended that you stay at the higher end for healthy milk production...just don't feel like I will meet my goal if I am taking in that many calories! Anyone have any imput?

Baker0821

YES!!! Log it and eat it!!! You don't want to compromise your supply! When I started MFP, over a year ago, I was a nursing mommy and I successfully lost weight while nursing and my supply never dropped. Just don't make those calories "junk calories" and you'll be fine! Yay for nursing mommies!!!!!!!!! :bigsmile: :flowerforyou:

Melmehay

Weight watchers adds about 500-700 calories per day (they gave me 10 extra points a day, based on their old points system), depending on whether your baby is nursing exclusively or if you are supplementing with formula or foods. I would adjust the estimate based on your rate of weight loss--try not to lose to rapidly, but if you are not dropping weight you may be over-estimating how much your baby is consuming. Based on my experience with losing weight while nursing, 2000 calories per day seems appropriate.

ohdear1986

i didn't know they allowed for breast feeding, i breast feed my 17 month old 5-6 times a day! so how do i add these calories? i don't get how you found the option
help
thanks

laura

Baker0821

If you go to where you log food (not exercise) put in like breastfeeding mother or something like that and it will add calories for you.

MirandaDeCrane

If you go to your food diary, you can "track" your breastfeeding calories. Instead of typing a food, type "breastfeeding" and it will give you different options (newborn, olderbaby, etc) Instead of debiting those calories, it adds them, similar to adding exercise calories!

I am nursing my 16 month old still. She nurses 4x a day on average, but I wasn't sure if I needed to add that in since her main nutrition source isn't me. Instead, I adjusted my activity level from sedentary to the next level, and use the calories MFP figures for a lightly active person.

melissataylor1986

On how to log it, you can add it to your FOOD diary. Just search for breastfeeding, there are different options.

I have a 10 month old son who still breastfeeds 3-4 times a day. I add an extra 300 calories PER DAY, not per feeding. I have successfully lost 31 pounds and had no issues with my supply.

mommyrox05

I just looked up brestfeeding mother...diffrent options came up...I just chose the appropreate one. : )

mommyrox05

Ohhhh...I logged 3 Times yeasterday. Makes sense to just log once, but I wasn't sure! Thank you!