pregnant and due in a month/questions for other breastfeeding moms

marycnielsen2
marycnielsen2 Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm due around feb 5th. I was trying to lose weight before I got pregnant (baby girl was a surprise) and I've only gained 25lbs so far but my starting weight was 258 and I'm only 5'3". my questions are I guess is 1.) when breastfeeding does that impact why you set your daily exercise level on (I'm also in the nursing field so that definitely affects it) 2.) did you take in more calories than my fitness pal suggested while breastfeeding? any tips would be helpful as I'm getting married within the next year and would like to look my best.

Replies

  • ragenhay1
    ragenhay1 Posts: 158 Member
    Congratulations and good luck with the birth! I have a five month old who is exclusively breast fed. You definitely need more calories while breastfeeding. About 300-500 more. Here's my advice from the research I did and my experience the last three months. Do not start cutting calories until at least two months postpartum. It takes that long to establish your milk supply. During this time you can simply stay getting into the habit of tracking your food. Don't stress too much over it. Having a new baby is a big adjustment. After two months use this calculator to see how many calories you need

    http://www.freedieting.com/tools/breastfeeding_calorie_calculator.htm

    If you have been tracking and are far off from your goal number cut slowly not all at once as too much of a drop can affect your supply. Try the advised number for a month and evaluate. If you are Losing weight great keep at it. If not drop by about 100 calories and reevaluate. It's tricky finding that perfect calorie number but it can be done. Keep a close eye on your supply by watching baby's output and behaviour (pumping is not a great indication of supply). Don't ever drop below 1500-1800 most women need close to 2500 calories while breastfeeding. I've been at this three months now and have lost 25lbs I eat at about 1800 /day plus eat back my exercise calories but I'm pretty sedentary other than my exercise.
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    My delivery weight was 263 at 5'4" so not that far off of where you are. I second the recommendation to not cut calories until at least 2 months post partum.

    I'm still nursing my 10 month old with no end in sight. I have MFP set up to lose 1 lb/week and then I log another 400 calories as exercise to account for breastfeeding. When I go back to work in mid-Feb I will drop breastfeeding calories to 200-300 as I will be cutting out daytime feeds during the week and not pumping very much. I intend to nurse until my baby decides he is done, anticipating that to be sometime around age 2-3.
  • mkakids
    mkakids Posts: 1,913 Member
    Make sure you listen to your body and really pay attention to your supply. You may need to lower you calories VERY gradually (100 a week or so), to avoid losing your supply of milk.

    Drink lots of water.

    If you notice a drop in supply, you might try lactogenic foods (worked into your calorie goals) rather than increasing caloriea overall. These include oats, barley, brewers yeast, and more.... there are supplements such as fenugreek, red clover, blessed thistle, and alot more thay can be taken as well!

    Good luck and congrats!
  • marycnielsen2
    marycnielsen2 Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you ladies for the advice!
  • catharinamkotze
    catharinamkotze Posts: 57 Member
    I have lost around 80 pounds whilst breastfeeding.
    Do yourself a favour, Google Tim Noakes Banting.
    We are so obese because of an excessive carbohydrate and sugar intake.
    You need to start eating healthy, whole foods.
    Meats, fats, butter, cream, double cream yoghurt, vegetables found above ground, nuts .
    Cut pastas, rice, vegetable oils, bread, sugar, wheat.

    So put your settings on let's say want to loose 1 pound per week.
    Then you add 300 calories for breastfeeding.
    Good luck.
    Eating healthy is fun and yummy.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    1) No, breastfeeding has no bearing on activity level
    2) Yes, I ate more than my goal. 300-500 calories more. Recommended minimum is 1800 calories, so do not drop under that. I typically ate 1800-2000 calories, but more in the beginning so that my body could heal, etc. Also, do not begin cutting calories until your milk supply has been well established. Ideally you should wait until your first post-partum check.

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