Calorie intake whilst breastfeeding

sophiercook
sophiercook Posts: 46 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am very new to the calorie counting game - I have only ever used Slimming World to lose weight before but have recently decided I’d prefer to use proper fats like olive oil instead of that hideous frylight, and not be strung up by the sun police for eating avocado!

I have a pretty sedentary lifestyle other than being at home on mat leave with my two kids who are 2 and 3 months - the younger is breastfed. I’m currently 201lbs.

I originally set my calorie goal to 1,400 purely based on MFP recommendation and adding a bit due to breastfeeding, but I am feeling pretty light headed and starving hungry a lot of the day.

My question is what is a suitable calorie goal for a sendentary breastfeeding woman? I will be adding exercise into my weight loss plan soon, when I can find the time without a kid hanging off me!

Replies

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    Check out the info in the second half of this thread:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10176233/gaining-weight-during-pregnancy-and-losing-it-post-partum

    And this group is active and has some great ladies in it.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/639-post-partum-pack

    ~best wishes
  • CatchMom11
    CatchMom11 Posts: 462 Member
    You're eating for two so your calorie count should take that into consideration. Even sitting around, breastfeeding will "help" you drop weight quickly, even sitting around! I had to have a c-section with my youngest so there was a lot of sitting due to recovery and due to the fact that I just wanted to snuggle my little love-bug.

    If you're feeling light headed then you know you're not getting enough which means that your baby may not be getting enough as well and you could possibly dry up. I would recommend talking to your lactation specialist or your OB-GYN. You want to make sure that you're talking to the people who are trained for specifically THIS, not some people on MFP who may or may not be adequately trained.

    Your #1 option is to start with your lactation consultant! If you don't have one, the hospital will have one on staff that you can consult with.
  • LauraHasABabyJack
    LauraHasABabyJack Posts: 629 Member
    I felt the same any time I'd try to cut calories while breastfeeding an infant. It made my supply drop as well. For an exclusively breast fed infant, it's estimated you burn 500 calories keeping up your supply. Try eating at maintenance and allow nursing your baby to create a deficit for now.

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