Would You Log This?

alibali79

Hey

I have put my settings to sedentary - I am on maternity leave with a 22 week old cutie pie of a daughter and I am breastfeeding. I log the breastfeeding but we go out for a walk everyday for about 40-60 mins. I haven't been logging this as exercise - should I? I don't just stroll along, I walk purposely and pushing a stroller.

I don't want to undereat by too much in case it affects my milk supply and the ability to stay awake or makes me binge if I am too hungry.

I log any structured exercise I do ie Body Combat, running etc and I use a heart rate monitor for accuracy.

Thanks,
Ali

BrianSharpe

A brisk walk of 40 to 60 minutes? Yup, I'd log it.

lwoods34

Its definitely exercise so you should log it. If you wear a heart rate monitor thats even better because you will know for sure how many calories you are burning while walking...

rfarinha

So you are logging "breastfeeding", but not logging a brisk walk of nearly an hour pushing a stroller? Don't take this the wrong way, but I think it should be the other way around....

alibali79

Thanks guys - I shall log the walking instead of the breastfeeding as my daughter is a very efficient feeder and I have often wondered if I really did burn up the calories when feeding! Perhaps not or I wouldn't be on here!

Guitarjon

Sorry, excuse my idiotism here but do you burn calories breastfeeding over what you would on day to day movement? Not really in the know about this type of thing due to being a man!

AMummysLife

Log both but make sure you have the right breast feeding amount. Especially if your 22 week old has started on solids. You won't be burning as much as you would be exclusively breast feeding.

I'm only assuming baby has started on solids though from the number of weeks old.

Happymom12

there is actually walking pushing stoller listed in the exercises

sammi402

You know I breastfed two children and it never occured to me you could burn calories that way.

shaycat

Log both but make sure you have the right breast feeding amount. Especially if your 22 week old has started on solids. You won't be burning as much as you would be exclusively breast feeding.

I'm only assuming baby has started on solids though from the number of weeks old.

I agree log both.

flyingwrite

According to WebMD, a woman can burn up to 500 calories breastfeeding in any given day. That's fascinating. I had no idea! Good luck to you!

amymoore728

Two comments:

You do need to log the breastfeeding because it does burn calories, and you need to eat those extra calories to provide nourishing milk for baby.

Also, you burn 30% more calories when you push a stroller so that's a big deal too!

Good job mama - it'll come off!

asudheimer

I think you should log both. If you pump, there is about 20 calories per ounce of milk, and youre daughter is better at nursing than a pump is at getting the milk out. And the walk is also burning calories. The more specific you are the closer mfp can figure where your calories should be at. I am nursing a 16 month old as well as pumping 3-4 times a day, so I log 500 calories a day for breastfeeding on top of whatever exercise I may do. This puts my daily goal at about 1,700 and when I stick to that like I'm supposed to, I'm losing 1.5-2 lbs a week. Hope this helps.

jenn26point2

I log my walk to the gym and back everyday and it only takes 16 minutes...

KellyBurton1

Walking is a very effective excerise. I lost my first 70lbs just walking for an hour a day.

tigersword

Sorry, excuse my idiotism here but do you burn calories breastfeeding over what you would on day to day movement? Not really in the know about this type of thing due to being a man!

It takes calories to make the breast milk, so technically, yes.

avafrisbee

I log my walks too. Especially since I set my life style at sedentary. I don't log a quick run to the store or the bakery across the street, but a 40-60 minute walk pushing a stroller, you bet'cha.

KareninCanada

Yes, log both. And if you're doing that consistently, prepare to watch the pounds drop off.

londongirl2012

It burns about 500kcals per day if its just breastfeeding, if the baby's eating solids and less milk, you burn less cals.

leika79

there is actually walking pushing stoller listed in the exercises

i couldnt find this when i looked! thanks x

vim_n_vigor

Sorry, excuse my idiotism here but do you burn calories breastfeeding over what you would on day to day movement? Not really in the know about this type of thing due to being a man!

To keep up the milk supply you need a decent amount of extra calories a day. With a baby that is exclusively breastfeeding, it can be 500 or more calories.

Log your walk and your breastfeeding. Your primary concern right now should be yours and your baby's health. Weight loss will come.

ladybg81

If you are set as sedentary, these yes, any intentional exercise should be logged. And you want to eat those calories back as well.

StarryEyed500

Sorry, excuse my idiotism here but do you burn calories breastfeeding over what you would on day to day movement? Not really in the know about this type of thing due to being a man!

lol yes you do. You are actively making milk while a baby is feeding. Producing it requires energy, in excess of what you would burn sitting whilst feeding. Someone who is exclusively breastfeeding can burn up to 650 calories a day. Most only require 450-500 while those who have started weaning will need fewer.

purpleipod

Definitely log the walking. Walking is great exercise and you're taking lengthy walks.

avafrisbee

Sorry, excuse my idiotism here but do you burn calories breastfeeding over what you would on day to day movement? Not really in the know about this type of thing due to being a man!

Yes, about 500 calories a day exclusively breastfeeding. Not making it up it's in any book you pick up on nursing. If you marry and have children you will certainly read such books, or if not read, hear about I'm sure. My husband is full of such trivia.

rachelsholiday

Definitely log both! Breastfeeding is a great way to burn calories, and walking briskly with a stroller (those things are heavy) are both great exercise.

Peppychristian

I am with those that say log both. I too and a nursing mother. It is vital that you maintain the right amount of calories (all research I have done says to try to take in around 1800) otherwise you could deplete your milk supply or harm your body.

kbanzhaf

I log all of my walking that is intentional -- usually 3-5 miles a day. If I go by my Fitbit or a pedometer, though, it would say anywhere from 6-8 miles per day (at a minimum). The usual walking around, I don't count, but anything that is intentional I do. That being said, when I use the database here, and log 60 minutes at 3.0 mph on my treadmill, the calories used is quite a bit less than my treadmill indicates. I leave it as is, and figure I'm probably over on some of my calories so it all equals out in the end.
Kaye

madisons_mummy

How would I log going for a 41min walk at 4mph whilst pushing a stroller? The stroller exercise ad doesn't have a speed on it?

MissFit0101

So you are logging "breastfeeding", but not logging a brisk walk of nearly an hour pushing a stroller? Don't take this the wrong way, but I think it should be the other way around....

Wrong...

OP needs to eat a significant amount of extra calories for milk production. Moreso than that 60 min walk burns I'll bet you.

To OP: Yes, log your walks!

Debbe2

You do it or eat it... you log it :flowerforyou: