New nursing mother

tissyazd

Yikes!! I just read where a nursing mother shouldn't cut calories until the baby is TWO MONTHS!! My baby is 2 weeks old. I was just adding 500 calories. Anyone know if this is true or have any experience with nursing and losing weight?? I obviously want to put my baby's needs first, but really don't want to wait 2 months before trying to lose weight. I am my best friend's maid of honor and we are going to disney this spring. I really want to get back in shape before this! HELP!

poustotah

When I first had my last baby (she's 4 months now), I ate my maintenance calories and lost weight. After about 6 weeks, I actively started trying to lose weight. I set my goals to lose 1 lb a week and added in my extra 500 calories a day for breastfeeding. I was losing 4-5 lbs a week at that point so I upped my calorie intake to include 700 calories and that slowed it down a bit and finally, around 12 weeks, I had to finally lower my breastfeeding calories. So play with it and see what happens but DON'T sacrifice too much for the baby's sake.

carolina_r

It is best to talk to your doctor (I am no expert) - but I do think taking it easy is a good thing, especially so early. You can do two things to make sure that you are getting enough cals:

- add "breastfeeding" into your food diary - you can find an option that will minus 500 cals from what you've taken in, so it adjusts for the extra requirements needed for this
- change your weight loss rate goal. i.e. if you reduce it from 1 lb per week to say 0.2 lbs per week, it will give you a higher calorie allowance.

I think it is great that you are on here, and it is definitely useful to track your food and be aware of what you are eating...Just make sure to nurture yourself and that little one before you worry too much about dropping lots of weight. It will happen!

I am a nursing mom too (my little boy is 7 1/2 months now). If you'd like some support from fellow new moms, check out our group - "The POST-PARTUM PACK". We have weekly posts under this forum, and we are always welcoming new members. Just follow the link below to our latest thread:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/369658-post-partum-pack-october-17

Good luck and enjoy this new adventure of motherhood!!