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Nursing Mother

c_skinner
c_skinner Posts: 1
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone! New to My Fitness Pal and I have a question. My baby is 5 weeks old and I am so ready to start exercising again and lose some of this baby weight. My daily calorie count is 1200 but that with an hour of exercise a day concerns me. I don't want to lose my milk or affect my baby in any way. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • debnu1
    debnu1 Posts: 1,568 Member
    You will need to add in 500 calories for nursing. So your calorie goal should be at least 1700 and then eat all your exercise calories. Good luck and listen to your body--if you are starving all the time you probably should eat a little more.

    Congratulations on the baby
  • byHisgrace
    byHisgrace Posts: 175
    Hi,

    I am a Lactation Consultant, maybe I can help :) 1200 calories is SO not enough!!! Stress, exercise and weight loss are three of the most common "silent" milk supply killers. I say silent because most people wouldn't expect those things to play as large a role as they do.

    Drink a TON of water, cut calories slowly and do so by increasing good, nutrient rich foods and reducing processed, less nutrient dense foods. I would start at with 1500 clories minimum and go from there.

    Watch baby's dipes and weight, obviously. Since you are only 5 weeks out from birth, your supply may still be regulating itself so try to stay in tune to your body and your baby.

    If you notice a supply decrease, add calories and take it easy, it could be a growth spurt for baby or your diet and exercise may be having an impact. Just take your time :)

    Congratulations on your new baby and good for you for nursing, it truly is the best for baby, and mama :)

    Good luck!
  • byHisgrace
    byHisgrace Posts: 175
    You will need to add in 500 calories for nursing. So your calorie goal should be at least 1700 and then eat all your exercise calories. Good luck and listen to your body--if you are starving all the time you probably should eat a little more.

    Congratulations on the baby

    The advice used to be to add 800 calories, oh how I wish that were true!!! lol
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