Questions About Nursing and Calories

rosiepaulson2015
rosiepaulson2015 Posts: 8 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
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Replies

  • rosiepaulson2015
    rosiepaulson2015 Posts: 8 Member
    Sorry, New at this. I have a question about calorie intake while nursing. My eight month old still nurses constantly, and I am trying to lose a pound a week. How many calories should I make sure to eat to keep her safe? (she is very healthy and weighs enough, just want to make sure I keep it that way!) Thank you!!!!!!


  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    How many calories does MFP suggest you eat for a weight loss of 1 lb a week?
    Do you exercise?
  • rosiepaulson2015
    rosiepaulson2015 Posts: 8 Member
    it says to eat 1560 and I exercise about four times a week.
  • rosiepaulson2015
    rosiepaulson2015 Posts: 8 Member
    Well, I guess I exercise more than that. I use my bike as a car a few days a week with three children on it. I mean I go running about three times a week.
  • Pascal56
    Pascal56 Posts: 53 Member
    Mfp gives me 1200 to lose a pound a week (before fitbit adjustments for exercise) and then I add 500 for nursing. It hasn't impacted my supply, although everyone is different.
  • mirrim52
    mirrim52 Posts: 763 Member
    Is she eating solids as well, or exclusively breastfeeding? The general recommendation is an extra 500 calories for an EBF baby. That drops as solids enter the picture. 200-300 for regular BFing supplemented with solids is reasonable. You also need to make sure to stay well hydrated, as that will drastically affect milk supply. If you notice your supply dropping, you can always up your calories a bit. Nothing you do calorie-wise will harm your baby, so don't worry about keeping her safe, but cutting too many calories will make your supply drop as your body starts to protect its vital functions.
  • rosiepaulson2015
    rosiepaulson2015 Posts: 8 Member
    Thank you so much all!!!!! Just an added question, if anyone knows: does what you eat effect the nutrient content of the milk?
  • mirrim52
    mirrim52 Posts: 763 Member
    rosiepaulson2015 wrote: »
    Thank you so much all!!!!! Just an added question, if anyone knows: does what you eat effect the nutrient content of the milk?

    Not as far as I know. I have hear anecdotal stories of cutting too many calories affecting the foremilk/hindmilk balance, but nothing concrete. I have also heard that healthy fats are great for your milk, so don't be afraid of fat.
  • Amanda4change
    Amanda4change Posts: 620 Member
    If you aren't getting enough nutrients from your diet, your body will strip it from itself to use for the breast milk as opposed to it not being present in the milk. Obviously you want to meet your nutritional needs, but if you have an off day it's not going to impact your milk. With the exception of water, if your water intake is to low it will effect the quantity (not quality) of your milk.
  • wlb2000
    wlb2000 Posts: 1
    My calorie recommendation is 1440... Nursing a 9 month old who eats some solids, but is still primarily breastfed. Should I adjust my goal on MFP to add in the calories for nursing, or how do you guys do that? I wish it had an option to add breastfeeding as an exercise or something!
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    on average breast feeding burns 500 calories a day. To ensure both you and baby are getting the right amount needed, add 400-500 calories per day.

  • veganbettie
    veganbettie Posts: 701 Member
    no matter what if you are getting enough calories your milk will be fine, women in 3rd world countries nurse their babies and don't eat the best. The concern is if your milk supply isn't established cutting calories far back may impact your supply, your milk will always be perfect.

    The milk basically leeches all the nutrients from your body to stay perfect for your baby so the big thing is if you're not eating enough or eating right YOU will start to have deficiencies. But as long as you're eating balanced you should be okay.

    I add breastfeeding as a food, there are different things you can add, breastfeeding exclusively gives you a negative 500 calories, and then breastfeeding an older child gives you negative 300, I've been trying not to add anything in since my kid is 2.5 years old, but he still nurses a lot and i'm freaking hungry....i'll add it on my diary so you can see if you like.

    And GREAT job on nursing your baby. :D
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