Weight loss while breastfeeding

amberc727
amberc727 Posts: 1
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
I have an 8mo baby that I'm still exclusively breastfeeding. I'm having a hard time determining the proper number of calories I should eat per day, and MFP doesn't take breastfeeding into account at all. Based on my height/weight and goal, it's got me at about 1500 cal per day, and anything less than 1800 for a nursing mother is too little to maintain milk supply, with most mothers needing more. I just don't know how to figure out exactly how many my body needs to maintain a good milk supply, and lose weight at the same time. Anyone been in this situation?

Replies

  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    I have seen on some other people's food diaries that they "allow" 500 calories a day for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding all three of my kids for just over a year each definitely helped melt off the pounds!
  • leelee243
    leelee243 Posts: 11 Member
    There are a lot of forum posts on this, you can do a quick search and find many people in the same situation. Breastfeeding calories are logged under FOOD as a deficit. You need to eat an additional 250-500 calories per day for BF.
  • StabR80
    StabR80 Posts: 320 Member
    In the section you look up food, type in breastfeeding. ( odd place for it yes) It has lots of options for you there. I am still nursing my 17 month old and my supply is doing great. I myself dont add the extra calories for it b/c of her age but I did when she was little.
  • Ahzuri
    Ahzuri Posts: 272 Member
    I put myself at 1800 calories for the first year and then dropped down to 1500 and now 1330 (and I'm still going at a 1 1/2). As long as your supply is established you shouldn't really have any problems as long as you get proper nutrition and lots of water. If you do have a problem with it slipping you can always add in more calories.
  • geewizzamanda357
    geewizzamanda357 Posts: 36 Member
    Search for breastfeeding under the food search. It will pull up several different ways to record the calories. That's the way I track mine :)
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    If she's exclusively breastfeeding, add an extra 500 cals per day. You can manually update your goal, or you can add it into your food diary every day (you can search for "breastfeeding," or simply do a quick add of -500 calories). I think you can also add it as exercise.
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    I up my activity level to high - it increases my daily calories (by 440) AND other nutritionals. you don't have to go in and add 'breastfeeding' daily. Seems to be the easiest way for me.
  • healthyfitmama
    healthyfitmama Posts: 4
    I have a 4 month baby and are on 1500 calories per day. I just resumed running, and are breastfeeding my daughter only. I learned the key to produce more milk (for me), is drinking lots of water. I drink 3 gallons a day and my milk production has increased every month. In addition to feeding my little one I am able to pump and freeze at least 12 ounces every day. My weight is dropping though not as fast as before baby! But I am happy with the results. I hope this helps! All the best!
  • rhapsody527
    rhapsody527 Posts: 60
    There are 2 different options for breastfeeding in the food diary. One adds 500 calories to your daily allotment, and this is if you are exclusively breastfeeding with no supplements. If you have an older baby who is also taking solids or supplement with formula, use the option that adds 300 calories to your daily allotment. Feel free to look at my food diary if you would like! Good luck
  • monkeysmum
    monkeysmum Posts: 522 Member
    having looked into bf counselling as a job try not to worry so much on calories and more on what you eat bf can burn up to 500calories a day but this would all depend on how many time syou feed your LO how long etc a new mum with a very demanding baby feeding every 2hrs will burn more than one who feeds maybe 2-3 times day on an older baby

    make sure you eat your 5 a day minimum drink plenty of water nettle and fennel tea (tastes like aniseed) has maybe 2 calories a cup and both ingriedients can boost milk supply if you want to try that mostly milk supply is base don the variety of foods etc you eat so a healthy diet and plenty fresh fruits veggies etc will all be helpful add an extra 200cals onto what mfp has allotted you if you want to but tweak it if you feel you need more or less
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