Breast Feeding and Calorie Counting

Ive heard that Im not supposed to diet while breast feeding..

Ive also heard I should not be so tubtastic still...

Does one lose calories through the act of nursing ones child? Ive heard that but again, I hear lots :s

any thoughts/facts/random remarks?

Jaimie

You do need a lot more energy than normal when breastfeeding and you also need to drink more fluids.  People lose weight when breastfeeding because they are using up more energy.  They're also - I suspect - run ragged looking after a new baby!!!  Rather than 'dieting', it's best to try to eat better.... more wholegrains, vegetables, fresh fruit etc..... and cut down on the junk, the sugar, the fried foods.  Less processed/refined foods are naturally more filling so you'll eat less but you'll be getting loads of great nutrition at the same time. 

Ohh, I loved the breast feeding days. I nursed all of my kids until they were about 1 1/2 years old. I was thirsty all the time, drank easily 12 glasses of water every day. I definitely lost weight through nursing, dropped down to weighing less than I did before I was pregnant with each one!

I never dieted, but was somewhat careful with what I ate- I limited spicy foods (my babies didn't like jalepenos!) and drank lots of milk as well...I was so sick of it, let me tell you!

If you're not losing as much as you'd like to be, be patient- it took time to get it on and can take time to get it off as well!

I'm sure there are lots of other nursing moms to be found in the pregnancy and parenting forum if you're looking for support! Good luck!

You need to eat a minimum of 1800 calories per day while you are exclusively nursing. You can safely diet as long as you don't eat less than 1800/day.  Depending on how active you are, you may be able to eat quite a bit more than 1800 and still lose, but it is a good place to start. As you decrease the amount of nursing you will most likely need to adjust your calorie intake because you won't be getting rid of as many of those extra cals.  I lost all of my 55+ lbs of baby weight from nursing and dieting simultaneously, but boy did it SUCK when he weaned himself and I had to cut my calories back down to 1400!!!

I breast fed my daughter until she was 10 months old.....she put a stop to it, not me.   I couldnt drink milk......or she would get horrible gas and stomach issues.  It was odd.  But my dr said that as long as I wasnt restricting way to low, and as long as I kept taking the prenatal vitamins and eating a well balanced diet then it was ok to diet while nursing.  Just drink lots of water!  If you dont get enough fluids your milk production will decrease and you will get pretty dehydrated. 

 

It's very tempting to want to diet after your baby is born because you have almost all the baby weight without the nice firm stomach that goes with it. But if you're breastfeeding your baby you should eat as nutritiously as possible and I don't suggest calorie counting. Having said that, I do suggest smart food choices and common sense. My doctor explained that I needed to eat 300-500 calories more than I normally do to ensure that my breast milk was healthy for my baby.

The good news? I lost weight breast feeding both times (I have two kids under 5 years old). Like Jennmary, my first baby was sensitive to dairy and I couldn't have any cow-based milk product. I lasted 8 months. My second baby didn't have the same issues and I fed her 6 months. I didn't diet. I was careful about what I ate but reasonably careful because I knew I would need to diet once I stopped breast feeding. I figured my job was to ensure my baby was healty and my milk nutritious -- and that I would have time to worry about dieting after. And yes, I was able to lose the weight from the babies. In fact, the very month that I finally looked at myself and thought "I've done it. I'm back to my old shape" I found out I was pregant again. Go figure.

Congratulations and enjoy that baby of yours. They grow too fast.

It is a Fact, that breastfeeding burns 300-500 calories per day. 

Now do you need to do anything different in your diet..not really.  Breastmilk like being pregnant draws from your nutrient stores first and then from your diet.  Pre natals aren't for the baby..but mostly to maintain the nutrients for the mom.  HOwever ,if you are otherwise nutrient deficient..say like starving additional dietary supplements would be needed.

BTW, I was breast fed my DS for 3.5 years. I lost alll of my pregnancy weight within the first month PP.  HOever, Weaning can cause one to gain weight.....you will need to cut your calories once you wean.  :)  LOL. 

 

Denise

I did the Weight Watchers program after the birth of both my children...I nursed my son until he was 13 months and my daughter til 14 months.  Breastfeeding burns 500 calories a day so you need to make sure you account for that when you calorie count.  WW is just another form of calorie counting.  You just use points instead of calories.  Good luck!

Samantha

P. S. I congratulate you on the choice to nurse your child.