counting calories while breastfeeding

achoulat395
achoulat395 Posts: 27 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
As breastfeeding mom I'm wondering exactly how many calories I need for my baby and to lose weight at the same time while staying healthy. Any advice out there? It has been stated that breastfeeding burns 300-500 daily, but how does that factor into cutting calories? What's a good number? Please help.

Replies

  • papple227
    papple227 Posts: 34 Member
    It is hard to know exactly the right number to eat a day because the amount a baby will eat can change based on growth spurts, having a cold, needing comfort, etc. I always heard you should never drop below 1800 calories a day, but I would starve (I'm also breastfeeding) at the amount. I average about 2300 while still losing weight, but it could be different for you. My advice would be to just eat when you are hungry and log everything. If you notice you aren't losing any weight after a couple of weeks then decrease your calories by 100 at a time. That way you'll won't have a dip in your milk supply.
  • steadygirl06
    steadygirl06 Posts: 15 Member
    I'm currently breastfeeding a 4 month old. I just use what mfp gives me and use the option in the database for exclusively breastfeeding which is 500 cals. That adds up to just over 1700 plus i eat back all my exercise cals. I also don't stress if i go a bit over because some days I'm more hungry than others. It seems to be working, I've lost 8.5kg so far which is huge for me as my other 3 babies I gained weight while breastfeeding.
  • steadygirl06
    steadygirl06 Posts: 15 Member
    In saying that I've always had a strong mill supply. Others may need to eat more to maintain their supply.
  • gradchica27
    gradchica27 Posts: 777 Member
    I am 5'4", bf'ing my 8 mo baby. I've been losing in 1820+ eating almost all my exercise calories. I'm 3 lbs from pre pregnancy weight now (60 lbs lost).
  • victoria_1024
    victoria_1024 Posts: 915 Member
    Aim for losing only a pound (or less) a week. Add back around 500 calories a day if full time nursing. Add back 300 a day if baby eats solid foods. Add back 100-200 a day for a toddler depending on frequency of nursing. Log everything and weigh your food - Estimating could lead you to either not losing or not eating enough, which risks your supply.

    I've been using mfp since my toddler was 1 month old. He's 15 months now and I've lost 85 lbs. I'm still nursing but in maintenance at 1700-1800 calories a day. I was losing quickly at 2100 a day. Of course that number will change as you lose weight and as baby nurses less!

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