Pregnant and Breastfeeding, how many calories should I add?

viktorbaby
viktorbaby Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
I know it isn't very healthy to try to lose weight while pregnant, but with all of my previous pregnancies I have gained WAY too much. I do not want to do that again. I just found out last week that I am pregnant, and am still breastfeeding my 9 month old. I plan to keep nursing him until he is one. I know I should increase my calories but how many is safe without it being too many? I lost 4 pounds last week (I have influenza and no appetite), and noticed my milk supply wasn't very good so I don't want to compromise the babies nutrition.

Next question, because of morning sickness I am throwing up almost every time I eat, so when counting calories, do I cut them in half or still count the whole amount?

Replies

  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    Why not speak to your doctor?
  • viktorbaby
    viktorbaby Posts: 2
    I plan to, but I don't have an appointment for another 3 weeks.
  • LadyMud17
    LadyMud17 Posts: 193 Member
    Yah,,this is a doctor queston,, right now focus on the quality of the food you are eating, keep out anything processed. Load up on veg, fruit, whole fat organic dairy (yes both of those babie need that fat) whole grains (oatmeal, quina) and as good of meat as you can afford (free range, organic, ect. ) I bf my daughter while pregnant with me sound,, till about the end of the first tri,, then it was just too exhausting for my body.
  • LadyMud17
    LadyMud17 Posts: 193 Member
    me sound,, is supposed to be my secound :)
  • carryingon
    carryingon Posts: 609 Member
    bump for later, but feel free to add me as a friend I am a certified lactation counselor. If you pm me I can help you problem solve your milk supply issue. I have been there:flowerforyou:
  • carryingon
    carryingon Posts: 609 Member
    also please call your Doctors office and speak to the nurse. They should be able to answer your question over the phone before your appointment.:flowerforyou:
  • PamelaGatorMom
    PamelaGatorMom Posts: 348 Member
    Definitely talk to your doctor about your concerns…you may even be able to just put a call in, my OB’s office nurses were always quick to answer back with any questions.

    As for weight I would say eat healthier!! More fruits & veggies, less sugars & certainly no sodas or empty calories,

    Now for the breastfeeding I nursed all 3 of my children & can tell you as crazy as it seems WATER MAKES MILK!! I guess your body needs the fluids so it does kinda make sense…but I found the more water I drank & stayed hydrated the more milk I could produce.

    But again call your doctor office! Good luck!
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    First trimester continue with your current calorie intake if it's at a healthy level more than 1200 calories. Make sure you are taking your prenatals, load up on green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, and all the rainbow of fruits and veggies. Keep eating your proteins. Try to push for a bit more calcium in your diet dairy, nuts, or green leafies. Sardines are packed full if you can stomach it. Although might want to check if this is a mercury high fish. You can expect some weight gain, but shouldnt see a huge increase this first trimester.

    Second and third trimester. You want to increase it to about 300 a day. Not sure how much you weigh but expect a weight gain if you are normal weight of about 25-35 or overweight about 10-25lbs.

    Breastfeeding. Kudos to you for breastfeeding, good mama! You get to have a little fun here. Continue to eat your veggies and push the calcium and iron. You can actually up your calorie intake to about 500 extra a day and still lose weight. The most important thing of course while is to get the best and most wholesome nutrition that you can get for your baby. Get lots of variety and nutrient dense foods.

    Remember there are certain foods you need to avoid. Unpasturized cheese. No feta, blue cheese, queso blanco, mozzarella that has not been pasturized. Avoid lunch meat like ham, turkey, and roast beef unless it has been heated. Make sure you religiously rinse all of your fruit and vegetables. Make sure if you are eating any mayonaisse based salad they have been properly prepared and refridgerated. Watch out for very high fat fish such as salmon due to the mercury content. Tilapia is a pretty safe fish.

    Congrats on your pregnancy! I hope all goes well at your docs.
  • kristinL16
    kristinL16 Posts: 401 Member
    I wouldn't worry about counting calories right now. Like another person said, focus on the quality of calories/food that you are eating. Eat when you are hungry and focus on getting the nutrients that your body needs. That being said, I have read that while pregnant you should increase calories by about 300 in the second and third trimesters (over your maintenance values) and slightly less in the first trimester. Breastfeeding moms should add 300-500 per day, depending on individual metabolism as well as whether or not baby is exclusively nursing or is getting additional solids or formula.
  • kaseybill
    kaseybill Posts: 28
    I'm 6 wks Pg and nursing my 2.5yr old. He only nurses 3x day but since I"m pregnant, he seems to sense it and has been asking for it more (dip in supply?) I am maintaining my calories at 1900/day, but exercise about 600-700 calories per day, so my net is a bit low at the moment. I am finding it hard to eat that much food and maintain a healthy diet. If I added junk or bread to my diet it might be easier but the last few days I've only been eating close to 1500-1700. I'm ok with losing .5lb per week in the 1st Tri but will bump up my calories in the 2nd, especially since I'm nursing. I'd look at your TEE and eat a min. of that many calories, then slowly add 50-150 more calories to your diet over the next month or two, then another 100-300 in the final Tri., if still nursing. Or until you can see you are eating the appropriate # so you don't lose or gain too quickly. About half of all women lose their milk while pregnant.... just a wait and see thing...
    My goal for this pregnancy is to gain 20lbs (currently 15lbs over since 1st pregnancy) and will make calorie adjustments as I see my gain. If overweight, some doctors will tell you it is ok to lose during PG but most will likely tell you to maintain and eat only healthy foods. Keep nursing- hopefully you can tandem and both your kiddos will reap the benefits (along with the wonderful benefits for you too!)

Categories