Breastfeeding and net calorie intake...

sarkfollower

Hello! I am fairly new to this community and I could use some advice! I gave birth to my daughter about 5 months ago via c section. I was overweight when I became pregnant (220, 5'6", sedentary lifestyle due to hip issues.. had a replacement) I ballooned to a whopping 263 until I gave birth. I lost about 20 pounds after I had her which left me at 242 when starting MFP three days ago. I put myself on a 1200 cal diet due to my lack of activity ( which I plan on improving upon soon). This morning when I weighed in I was 235.6lbs. 6-7 lbs in 3 days. Since I am really overweight with a BMI of about 40%, I feel like this should be okay... I am eating super healthy, drinking lots of water, taking great vitamins and though I feel hungry, I am wondering is this really okay? It is really unhealthy to be this weight... Can I stick with 1200 a day without accounting for any exercise or cals for breastfeeding for awhile? If I account 400 or 500 cals for breastfeeding, that would increase my cals to 1600 a day. I want to lose the weight as fast as possible so sticking to the 1200 is more appealing to me. Can anyone shed some more light on this for me? What should I do?

dinomomma

I've read that it isn't good to go below 1500-1800 cals a day while breastfeeding, there is a site that will tell you how many calories based on your weight,height,age and activity level, http://www.freedieting.com/tools/breastfeeding_calorie_calculator.htm

SarahRose29

Hello! I have a 5 month old too. I've always been told that when breastfeeding you need an extra 300-500 calories a day above your normal calorie baseline. Otherwise your milk supply could be effected. Probably if 1200 is your calorie goal for the day, you should technically be adding 300-500 calories on top of that in order to keep up a good supply. Having said that though, everyone is different- do you feel like your supply has dwindled? Is baby hungry more often, or crankier than normal, or any other indications that something has changed there? If baby still seems well fed and happy, I'd continue with what you are doing. I'm definitely not an expert though! Good luck with your weight loss

A_nori

You need to make sure you are getting sufficient calories while breastfeeding, otherwise your milk may dry up. For a 5 month old who is still exclusively breast feeding, I would add 500 calories each day. Your child is eating what you are eating, if you are not getting enough neither will your child.

I think its great you want to lose the weight, I am feeling that way right now to! Just make sure you do it in a way that will allow you to continue breastfeeding (assuming you want to continue breastfeeding...Formula is a perfectly valid option as well.)

Burnsdill

I can definitely understand your desire to lose weight quickly, especially post birth. However, you need to stay healthy for that sweet baby of yours! If you're hungry, listen to your body. That much of a weight loss in a couple of days seems like a lot. If you could increase your calories with nutrient dense food (veggies!) then you should be able to maintain a regular weight loss and not be hungry. Good luck!

eliblish

You aren't supposed to go any lower than 1800 cals when breastfeeding. Not only can it affect your supply but toxins are stored in fat and if you lose fat too quickly the toxins can be released in your breastmilk. It is best to eat a higher amount of calories and create your deficit through exercise. You will still lose weight eating 1800 cals a day! The slower it comes off, the better. You will not be able to stick with 1200 cals while breastfeeding too long. Your body needs more than that. I'm breastfeeding very frequently and am not trying to lose weight and I never go under 2100. When I exercise I eat up to 2600 cals a day. And i've actually lost a few pounds in the last month so I may need to up it even more.

TXtstorm

We've been talking about this at work a couple of days this week. One of our staff has just returned from her maternity leave for twin boys. We work in healthcare... specifically at a women's hospital. While none of the people in my department are lactation consultants, we are very friendly with the dietician/nutrition team leads who is supporting our NICU. All of the information we have discussed this week matches the average of what others here have said. Your dietary needs should only be about 350 - 500 extra calories a day beyond pre-pregnancy maintenance calories if you are exclusively breastfeeding. If your baby is supplemented with formula or is beginning to eat some solid foods, you won't be putting as much into milk production. Breastmilk has about 22 calories per ounce. If you're pumping you'll have a good measurement of that portion of your milk production. There was also consensus at work that dropping calorie intake too low while breastfeeding could compromise your milk supply. I didn't hear a lower limit suggested there, but what I've seen in online references agrees with another poster that 1500-1800 calories is the minimum to support milk production. You've already hit on a great place to concentrate your efforts for now to put you on track for success when nursing winds down... healthy food choices and appropriate portion sizes along with hydrating with water. Being of the right mindset is a big part of the battle, and it sounds like you're making progress already. Hang in there, your success is underway!

BondBomb

You aren't supposed to go any lower than 1800 cals when breastfeeding. Not only can it affect your supply but toxins are stored in fat and if you lose fat too quickly the toxins can be released in your breastmilk. It is best to eat a higher amount of calories and create your deficit through exercise. You will still lose weight eating 1800 cals a day! The slower it comes off, the better. You will not be able to stick with 1200 cals while breastfeeding too long. Your body needs more than that. I'm breastfeeding very frequently and am not trying to lose weight and I never go under 2100. When I exercise I eat up to 2600 cals a day. And i've actually lost a few pounds in the last month so I may need to up it even more.

Everyone always references one book "Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (3rd Edition, Riordan, pp 440)" when making these claims of toxins released into breast-milk but nothing else exists to support it.

OP 1200 is very low for a nursing mom. I would contact La Leche League or a lactation specialist in your area. Mine had me eating no less than 1500 calories but even that turned out to be too low. Monitor your milk production and make sure you are getting enough calories to maintain.

sarkfollower

Thank you all so much for your input and encouragement. It is really hard to know what to do because of all the conflicting info out there on this subject. I feel like 1200 is a little low judging by how I feel tonight. I just want to have a firm understanding on what is the lowest I can go. I would also like your response to the following article if you have a sec and can read it... I really want more dialogue on this... Especially if any one in healthcare wishes to add their two cents!


Breastfeeding your Child Effectively
More Breastfeeding Myths

By Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com Guide
A breastfeeding mother has to be obsessive about what she eats.
Not true! A breastfeeding mother should try to eat a balanced diet, but neither needs to eat any special foods nor avoid certain foods. A breastfeeding mother does not need to drink milk in order to make milk. A breastfeeding mother does not need to avoid spicy foods, garlic, cabbage or alcohol. A breastfeeding mother should eat a normal healthful diet. Although there are situations when something the mother eats may affect the baby, this is unusual. Most commonly, "colic", "gassiness" and crying can be improved by changing breastfeeding techniques, rather than changing the mother's diet. (topic #3 Colic in the breastfed baby).

A breastfeeding mother has to eat more in order to make enough milk.

Not true! Women on even very low calorie diets usually make enough milk, at least until the mother's calorie intake becomes critically low for a prolonged period of time. Generally, the baby will get what he needs. Some women worry that if they eat poorly for a few days this also will affect their milk. There is no need for concern. Such variations will not affect milk supply or quality. It is commonly said that women need to eat 500 extra calories a day in order to breastfeed. This is not true. Some women do eat more when they breastfeed, but others do not, and some even eat less, without any harm done to the mother or baby or the milk supply. The mother should eat a balanced diet dictated by her appetite. Rules about eating just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated.

A breastfeeding mother has to drink lots of fluids.

Not true! The mother should drink according to her thirst. Some mothers feel they are thirsty all the time, but many others do not drink more than usual. The mother's body knows if she needs more fluids, and tells her by making her feel thirsty. Do not believe that you have to drink at least a certain number of glasses a day. Rules about drinking just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated.

dinomomma

I think certain things in the article make sense but it also isn't a universal no, some women do have to eat high calories or special diets or drink a ton. It definitely varies person to person and if you don't eat or drink enough your supply will tank.

sarkfollower

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rachel0923

I find that I can make enough milk no matter what I eat or drink, and some days with three kids and working from home, I don't get to eat much! That said, I usually aim for 1700ish calories in a day so my metabolism doesn't crap out. Once you start your baby on other foods you won't be producing as much milk, and dropping down to 1200 calories may be possible (and perhaps necessary as your body adjusts to fewer lactation hormones). Of course, a 6 lb loss every week may not be healthy for either of you. Just make sure you aren't starving, eat when you are hungry, make sure baby is thriving, not becoming fussy all of a sudden or anything, and you should be fine.

ajnlee25

I'm not in healthcare, but I have dealt with supply issues, and used a dietician. Everyone is different, so for some the article is right, but for others that's not the case. It's best to consult a dietician who knows your personal situation, and anything more than a couple lbs a week should be monitored since baby's health is at stake. You wouldn't go without a car seat even though there is only a small chance you'll be in an accident. So even though the risk is questionable there still is a danger. Remember, the slower you loose the weight, the better chance you have of keeping it off.

mjswalters

That article basically said "Not true (for some women)! Not true (for some women)!" I'm not in health care but I did nurse all my kids for at least a year and I did need the extra calories and lots of fluids or my milk supply tanked. That doesn't mean yours will, but it is a lot easier to kill a milk supply than to bring it back. Up your calories/fluids and if you notice your weight gain slowing (and remember that 2 pounds a week is about the max you should lose) then you can alter your calories at that point. It seems counter productive that you can eat 1800 calories and still lose weight, but it totally works if that is where your BMR is set.