breastfeeding and weight loss

mrs_teiger
mrs_teiger Posts: 7
in Food and Nutrition
How many calories do you eat while breastfeeding? What is your height, weight, and how much are you losing? I'm 5'1" and was eating 1200 calories per day pre-preg. I got down to 100lbs, and pp I am 135. I want to lose about 20 lbs. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Replies

  • tbhoover
    tbhoover Posts: 402 Member
    I add about 4-500 calories more than my weightloss calorie goal. I typically gain weight while breastfeeding but with calorie counting and using my Advocare supplements I have been able to lose weight this time. Thank God!
  • Fujigala
    Fujigala Posts: 34 Member
    Depends on how much milk you are producing, you will need about 500 calories just for feeding your baby. A word of caution, drop your calorie intake slowly or you might not have enough milk. More rest and sleep helps with that though. Hope it was helpful.
  • spatulathumbs
    spatulathumbs Posts: 125 Member
    Here are some great resources for you, re: Dieting while Breastfeeding. :)

    http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-weightloss/

    http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I bf-ed and lost weight with both of my kids...slowly. I think your goals should be based on the age of your baby. I read that you should eat about 500 cals extra. I started at this level until my kids were about 6 months old and started on some solid foods. I then reduced it to about 300 cals extra. I lost all of the baby weight from my first at 9 months (37 lbs); and 8 months with my second (35 lbs). I also started back up with the exercise around 2 months and increased the amount of cardio slowly over the next few months. I bf-ed both kids for 14 months with no issues. In fact, my son (while exclusively bf-ed and both bf-ed/solids) always fell into the 80-90th percentile for weight. He's 5 now...and close to 50lbs. He's a big kid...tall too!
  • ZombieSlayer
    ZombieSlayer Posts: 369 Member
    My goal is set to maintenance so BFing becomes my deficit... in theory. Of course, the out of control hunger keeps me going over... usually to ACTUAL maintenance. *sigh*
  • mlindenmuth36
    mlindenmuth36 Posts: 35 Member
    Here are some great resources for you, re: Dieting while Breastfeeding. :)

    http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-weightloss/

    http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/

    Kellymom is the best Nursing resource out there.
  • TheJamLady
    TheJamLady Posts: 21 Member
    Make sure you have enough calories so that you don't have your supply drop. When I. Started back to MFP post-partum everything I read talked about 1800 calories minimum for maintaining milk supply. For me that was way too low. I had to set mine higher and am still losing.
  • Hclark2010
    Hclark2010 Posts: 2
    They type of calories you consume while breastfeeding is just as important as your total number of calories. I am exclusively breastfeeding my 2 month old, but I only take in 1200 calories a day. ( my son is in the 75th percentile for his weight and height, so no supply issues here) I'm very petite though, 5'1 and 105lbs right now. I eat a diet that is very high in fat, protein and veggies. I try to avoid sugar, wheat, and processed food ( although I slip pretty frequently). You just have to find a number of calories that works for you and baby. The number I'm at now has allowed me to lose about half a pound a week, which is perfect.

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