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Do you burn more calories with an oversupply?

Understanding Caloric Burn in Relation to Oversupply
The question of whether individuals with an oversupply of breast milk burn more calories than those with a normal supply is a nuanced one, particularly for breastfeeding mothers. The relationship between milk production and caloric expenditure is influenced by several factors, including the body’s metabolic processes and the energy required for lactation.
Caloric Expenditure During Lactation
Breastfeeding itself is known to be an energy-intensive process. On average, breastfeeding mothers burn approximately 300 to 500 calories per day due to the energy required to produce milk. This caloric burn can vary based on the amount of milk produced. For mothers experiencing an oversupply, which can be defined as producing significantly more milk than the average, there is a reasonable assumption that they may burn more calories.
One mother posed a question on a forum, asking if producing 35 ounces of milk a day would lead to a higher caloric burn compared to producing 24 ounces. This inquiry reflects a common curiosity among breastfeeding mothers regarding the relationship between milk supply and caloric expenditure.
The Role of Oversupply
While the exact number of calories burned can depend on individual metabolic rates and other factors, it is generally accepted that an increase in milk production correlates with an increase in caloric burn. This is because the body requires energy not only to produce milk but also to maintain the physiological processes involved in lactation. Therefore, mothers with an oversupply may indeed burn more calories than those with a lower supply, as their bodies work harder to produce and manage the excess milk.
Factors Influencing Caloric Burn
However, it is essential to consider that caloric burn is not solely determined by milk production. Other factors, such as the mother’s overall activity level, diet, and metabolic rate, play significant roles in determining total caloric expenditure. For instance, a mother who is more physically active may burn more calories overall, regardless of her milk supply.
In conclusion, while there is a logical basis to suggest that mothers with an oversupply of breast milk may burn more calories due to the increased energy demands of lactation, individual variations and lifestyle factors must also be taken into account. The interplay between milk production and caloric burn is complex, and each mother’s experience may differ.

Does milk oversupply burn more calories?

On the other hand, say you’re exclusively pumping and have a large oversupply. You’re burning MORE calories that you would if you if you were nursing, because you’re producing way more milk than your baby would otherwise eat.

How many Oz per day is considered an oversupply?

If average is three to five ounces combined and you are getting that from each breast, you have an oversupply. If you are getting more than five ounces from each breast (and, ahem, you don’t have twins) then you have, let’s call it, an aggressive oversupply.

How to lose 20 pounds in a month while breastfeeding?

How to Lose 20 Pounds While Breast-feeding

  1. Breastfeed as often as the baby shows hunger cues and avoid giving the infant formula.
  2. Decrease your caloric intake to around 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day.
  3. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
  4. Exercise for 30 minutes or more, on most days of the week.

How long does it take to correct oversupply?

There are a few different treatment plans to help mothers who are experiencing an oversupply of breast milk. Some approaches work quickly, while others will take up to 1-2 weeks to reduce the milk supply. Every mom and baby responds differently. You may need to try a couple of solutions to fully resolve the concern.

Do you really burn 500 calories a day breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can also help you manage or lose your postpartum weight. Moms burn about 500 extra calories a day while producing breast milk, which could lead to faster weight loss after birth. Although that doesn’t mean breastfeeding is a weight loss miracle, it can jumpstart the process.

How many calories are burned pumping breastmilk?

There’s a simple math trick to figure this out – each ounce of breast milk takes about 20 calories to make. So if you pump twenty ounces of breast milk daily, you burn 400 calories from producing breast milk. Calculating calories burned by breastfeeding is as simple as measuring your milk supply output.

Can I pump every 4 hours if I have oversupply?

You have reached the final step in getting your oversupply stabilized. You may choose to either:\ Stop pumping and just hand express/hand pump for 2-3 minutes every 4-5 hours or so for relief. Save this milk for later, or you can try to decrease supply further.

Do you burn more calories while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Experts agree that breastfeeding uses an extra 330 to 400 calories per day. That’s over and above your pre-pregnancy diet. That number is slightly more than the extra calories you need throughout pregnancy. Most breastfeeding women need 2,000 to 2,800 calories each day.

Is breastfeeding like running 7 miles?

The metabolic energy needed to breastfeed a baby each day is the amount you’d use to walk seven miles! Current breastfeeding rates (reported in 2016) showed that 81% of infants are breastfed initially, 51% are still breastfeeding at 6 months, and 31% have continued to breastfeed at 12 months.

Can you gain weight from milk oversupply?

Only if they are combined with excessive weight gain is breast milk oversupply likely to be the cause. Babies are expected to gain around 900 g (2 lb) per month, but in cases of oversupply, they will put on much more – often around double that.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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