Advice on breast feeding calories....

wonderfulworldx

Hi!
Could someone tell me if I should be eating back calories for breast feeding? My 20% below TDEE I worked out as 1800, however my daughter is 15 months old, feeds between 2 and 5 times in a 24 hr period. I'm unsure if I should be eating these calories on top of my 1800? Under breastfast MFP has options for 2-300 calories?
Therefore do I stick to the 1800 only or east a total of 2000-2100 which is almost back up to my TDEE.
Thank you so much for any advice!
X

kitka82

Personally I would keep calories at TDEE while you're breastfeeding. And if you're working out on top of that, factor that in. Nursing burns plenty of calories on its own, so you want to 1) make sure your baby is getting plenty of nutrients and 2) avoid a super huge deficit and stall out. Just my opinion.

Side note, I think it's wonderful that you are still nursing your daughter. I hope to be able to maintain it for at least a year when I have my next child.

colleen3115

I've seen the number 500 thrown around as the calories burned per day for nursing. I don't know where that # comes from though. 1800 is pretty low. If you eat at your TDEE you will still lose weight.

rekite2000

Once my baby starts solids, I will give myself 250. If milk supply goes down, go up a little. That is my plan at least. Currently I have 500 calories added to TDEE-15%. You can add your own "recipe" or "exercise" for breastfeeding and put in the calories you want. You don't have to use what is listed now. Also, you can just add the calories into your settings. I did that so I didn't need to add it daily.

heybales

Hi!
Could someone tell me if I should be eating back calories for breast feeding? My 20% below TDEE I worked out as 1800, however my daughter is 15 months old, feeds between 2 and 5 times in a 24 hr period. I'm unsure if I should be eating these calories on top of my 1800? Under breastfast MFP has options for 2-300 calories?
Therefore do I stick to the 1800 only or east a total of 2000-2100 which is almost back up to my TDEE.
Thank you so much for any advice!
X

But your TDEE actually includes those calories, right?

So actually, you are not almost back up to your TDEE. You are almost back up to your non-breastfeeding TDEE.

Now indeed, you don't take a deficit off TDEE that includes breastfeeding, because baby doesn't need a deficit.

As you are thinking, add it on afterwards, knowing TDEE is actually higher.

wonderfulworldx

Perfect, thank you so much for the advice everybody. Yes indeed that is my non breastfeeding TDEE. I shall therefore add in 200 on top of my 1800 and stick with a figure of 2000 to include Breastfeeding and exercise!
Again thank you x