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Help! I'm a nursing mom...

cynthiamassie
cynthiamassie Posts: 3
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Well I just joined fitness pal and I beleive it will be a great resource as I begin trying to lose the weight I've gained from both of my pregnancy's. The only problem is that the weight loss goal calculator doesn't factor in breastfeeding moms. With my weight loss goal the calulator set my calorie limit at 1200, but I feel that I shouldn't go below 2000 in order to continue producing milk. I am nursing my two month old and I want to decrease my calorie intake while maintaining enough calories as to not interfere with milk production for my baby. Does anyone have any helpful advice for a nursing mother who is trying to lose weight??

Replies

  • TinaS88
    TinaS88 Posts: 817 Member
    Personally I am against bf'ing moms on ANY kind of diet.. you are going to burn extra calories just from nursing :) I say.. don't restrict yourself and eat healthy and then after you are done nursing worry about all that... Just my opinion.
  • CristineD
    CristineD Posts: 59 Member
    Hi, I joined when my son was 3 months old and have been able to succesfully breastfeed and lose weight and still am nursing my son (who's now 6 months) and losing weight. When adding your food to your diary, search for breastfeeding. It will give you the option to add either 300 or 500 calories to your daily intake. I just copy and paste it over each day. Or you can change the settings on your diary and change your deficit to either 1500 or 1700 calories per day.

    Expect a bit of a drop in a supply for a day or two but up your water over those. I tried to drink at least 14 - 16 glasses a day when I know my son is growth spurting and when I first started and so far my supply has been fine. Your body will adjust quickly enough.

    It's also about making good food choices and you'll be fine.
    Add me as a friend if you like.... :)
  • Hollie55
    Hollie55 Posts: 65 Member
    You can add breastfeeding to your foods. If you search the food data base it has several options :)
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    It is also recommended that you do not go below 1600 calories when breastfeeding so if you are given 1200 calories choose the 500 calorie option but lower yourself to that figure over a week, do not just drop.
  • MellowYellowGem
    MellowYellowGem Posts: 120 Member
    Yep, what CristineD said! It's not recommended to do vigorous exercise as that can quite quickly affect supply, however walking is great and of course you can take baby with you, so it's easy to do as well. If you are exclusively feeding you need to add around 500 calories to your day, as well as any you gain from exercise, so whatever fitnespal has set your calories too just add the extra ones on. Breastfeeding in itself is a great way of weight loss, so as long as you eat good and healthy wholesome foods, porridge/oatmeal is a great one for keeping supplies up.
    If you find your supply does drop a bit, the best thing to do is feed feed feed for a couple of days, this should bring it back up, as breast milk is made on a supply and demand basis, the more you feed the more you make!
    Good luck, and remember not to rush things, you're little one is still very young and you'll have plenty of time to lose weight as they grow a bit. Enjoy your little baby while you can, such a special time that goes so fast! :smile:
  • cynthiamassie
    cynthiamassie Posts: 3
    Thanks so much ladies your advice helped alot!
  • cynthiamassie
    cynthiamassie Posts: 3
    Another question: Do I add breastfeeding to every meal in my food diary or just once daily?
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    if you choose the 500 calorie option you just enter it once.
This discussion has been closed.

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