Nursing Mom - Question

sammers
sammers Posts: 3
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hi, I'm brand new to my fitnesspal. I just got the "all clear" from my Dr. at my 6-week postpartum appointment and am ready to shed the baby weight (and a little more). I was wondering if anyone had used this while nursing and how to find out where to add the calories required to keep up my milk supply. Any suggestions? Thanks!!:smile:

Replies

  • sammers
    sammers Posts: 3
    Hi, I'm brand new to my fitnesspal. I just got the "all clear" from my Dr. at my 6-week postpartum appointment and am ready to shed the baby weight (and a little more). I was wondering if anyone had used this while nursing and how to find out where to add the calories required to keep up my milk supply. Any suggestions? Thanks!!:smile:
  • persian_dancer
    persian_dancer Posts: 110
    I've never been a mom, but I do know that the most you need to eat extra while nursing is equivalent to a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich each day. You can ask your doctor about it, but I helped one of my friends out and that is what her doctor said and she still lost 20 pounds while nursing! good luck!:smile:
  • 3babybeans
    3babybeans Posts: 8,268 Member
    You need at least 500+ extra calories a day while nursing, especially a newborn. My friend did 2000 cals/day, did aerobics 30-40 min/day, nursed her baby & was able to lose weight fairly easy w/o tracking food or exercise. If the site tells you to do 1200 cals/day (for example), make sure you eat at least 1700 (before exercise cals are figured in). The last thing you want to do is let your milk supply suffer. HTH! :flowerforyou:

    La Leche League has some great information on this topic. Good luck to you!
  • 3babybeans
    3babybeans Posts: 8,268 Member
    I've never been a mom, but I do know that the most you need to eat extra while nursing is equivalent to a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich each day. You can ask your doctor about it, but I helped one of my friends out and that is what her doctor said and she still lost 20 pounds while nursing! good luck!:smile:

    If that PB&J is 500 cals, then yes. :flowerforyou:
  • osmium
    osmium Posts: 107 Member
    You will definitely need to eat extra, particularly at the moment when your baby is getting all his/her nutrition from you. You don't want to harm your supply. I would add in an extra 500 cals and make sure you eat them. I would aim for slow loss until your baby is well onto solids, then you could increase your loss goals. Listen to your body, as I've always found that when I was breastfeeding I knew when I needed some more food to keep me going. It doesn't restrict you for too long and you will get there.

    I'm still breastfeeding now, but only once a day and I just consider that like I've done a little exercise and I'm doing fine now. My boy is now 10 months old though, so this is very different to a newborn.
  • iftcheiaf
    iftcheiaf Posts: 960 Member
    I remember someone suggesting before that you make your own exercise of "breastfeeding" and add that as your exercise calories each day and then adjust the amount of calories burned as the baby weans off. I thought it was a good idea. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
  • beagle595
    beagle595 Posts: 226
    First of all Congrats on the baby! Yes you need at least 500 calories extra per day... and intake at least 10 cups of water/ day... Also watch those spicy, gassy veggies, caffeine.. Everything is passed onto your little one and can cause them major stomach aches and gas pains! Also linked to colic! :flowerforyou: God Bless your new family. :flowerforyou:
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Hello and welcome to MFP. You will love this site if you don't already. I love this site so much. It is so motivational, supportive, helpful, and everyone is so nice and friendly. I just wanted to tell you good luck on your weight loss journey. You can do this.
  • sammers
    sammers Posts: 3
    Thank you, everyone, for your encouragement and suggestions. I will take it all into consideration. I think I'll try using it as my exercise at first and see if that works, and if it affects my supply at all and go from there. Thanks again!!:smooched:
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