Losing weight while breastfeeding!?

aandasmommy
aandasmommy Posts: 33 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
I need help! I have a 5 month old who I almost exclusively breastfeed and I'm not sure how many calories to add each day? I know it says that I'll burn on average 500 calories a day, but I'm not sure if I should be eating that many extra calories!? It's hard to say because if I don't eat enough my milk will dry up. Some days I just want to give up breastfeeding so that I can lose more weight, but that's selfish because my baby loves his breastfeeding! Anyone have any experience trying to lose weight while breastfeeding?! Thank you!!!

Replies

  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
    YES...you get to eat 500 extra calories and LOSE weight! This is how I lost the majority of my weight!!! I am still nursing my almost 14 month old son, but I started this journey when he was a newborn! I ate 500 calories extra a day to keep my supply up. If I didn't eat that much, my milk supply went down quite a bit, so I would make sure to eat those calories!!! So, when I was on a 1200 calorie a day diet, I would eat 1700 calories a day, and it would be like anyone else eating 1200. At 1700 calories, I still lost at least 2lbs a week. (That was combined with vigorous exercise, of course!) Your body burns 20 calories per every ounce of milk it produces. Nursing your baby has SO many WONDERFUL benefits, and this is one of them!! My advice..make those 500 calories HEALTHY choices! A big, healthy dinner, or a few extra snacks full of protein!! What a wonderful decision you have made to breastfeed your beautiful baby! Such an awesome bond for momma and baby! :heart:
  • hmfishy
    hmfishy Posts: 22 Member
    Hi there,
    I'm in the same boat - nursing a 4 month old and wanting to get my body back in shape. I like your thinking regarding the baby - I try to put my son first, and ignore the wiggle, jiggle and overall blah that having a baby can do to a person. The range for extra calories (apparently) is 200-500 needed to make milk. On all the sites I've investigated, it is suggested that you let your hunger be your guide. Make good food choices, eat when you're hungry, and excercise. The weight and milk will work out. I know with my first baby, the weight came off AFTER I stopped breastfeeding. Everyone is different though, so probably the best idea is to do what works for you. Eat when you're hungry and see how many calories you have left over at the end of the day for a week or two, that should guide you. Keep in mind too, as they grow your calorie needs will change again. Good luck to you and congrats on taking care of yourself while taking the best care of your little one! :)
  • shreddingit
    shreddingit Posts: 1,133 Member
    hi! my son is 15 months and still only breastfeed him...For me breastfeeding made me fat, I was sitting a lot and hungry a lot and not working out regularly. But when he turned 1 i saw myself and said"yuk"....since starting my lifestyle change in sept I have learned how and what to eat. I dont count calories because after doing just a log of what I eat was enough to teach me. As long as your feeding your body(not starving it) and your baby breastfeeds regularly you will have milk, its supply and demand. good luck to you!
  • lulu_beans
    lulu_beans Posts: 100 Member
    And make sure you drink more than 8 glasses of water! I would start to dry up if I didn't get between 12 and 14 glasses of water a day!
  • sarturne
    sarturne Posts: 10
    My daughter is 6 months and I have been watching what I eat since I brought her home. Losing weight while breastfeeding can be tricky because we still need to make sure we are meeting specific dietary requirements. Really calorie counting isn't the best idea when breastfeeding, but at the same time it's the easiest way to keep track of what we eat everyday. I eat about 300 calories more than my diet amount (1200) but if I go over that I don't worry about it too much because I figure it is for my baby. Just make sure you are eating when you are hungry and you are making good choices. Remember that you have made an awesome choice by breastfeeding and all to soon it will be over, so enjoy it while you can:)
  • aandasmommy
    aandasmommy Posts: 33 Member
    Oh my goodness thank you ladies all SO MUCH for the advice! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I really appreciate all of the great feedback! I have been eating my extra 500 calories a day by drinking a protein shake and a half an apple. I love this site because even though I haven't reached my goal weight, I've been eating so much healthier! I can feel the difference already!
  • tummymummy
    tummymummy Posts: 97
    Great to read the advice on this - I am BF my 6 month old and have put on weight the past few months because we were snowed in and I have just built up too many bad habits - chocolate oranges and mochas being but 2 of them !

    I have just started this week and looking at my fod diary I am eating1400 calories a day which hopefully should be enough to keep up milk supply - If it wasn't how soon would you notice a dip in milk supply? I have BF my 2 boys but never needed to diet then so this is all new to me !!
  • x3mommy
    x3mommy Posts: 73 Member
    Great to read ladies! Thank you. I don't like how it never says "Under her calorie goal." On my posts, but do know that it is for the best reasons. This is likely my last baby to BF and I'm going to enjoy all of it! Thanks for the support on here!
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