How many calories do I need to eat while breastfeeding?

Understanding Caloric Needs While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a demanding process, not just emotionally but also physically. For new mothers, understanding how many calories to consume during this period is crucial for both their health and the well-being of their baby.
Increased Caloric Requirements
Research indicates that breastfeeding mothers typically need an additional 450 to 500 calories per day compared to their pre-pregnancy caloric intake. This increase is essential to support milk production and ensure that both mother and baby receive adequate nutrition.
To put this into perspective, a moderately active woman who was consuming around 1,600 to 2,400 calories daily before pregnancy should aim for a total intake of approximately 2,000 to 2,800 calories while breastfeeding. This range accounts for the extra energy required to produce breast milk, which can vary based on factors such as the mother’s activity level and metabolic rate.
Minimum Caloric Intake
It’s important to note that breastfeeding mothers should not restrict their caloric intake excessively. Consuming fewer than 1,800 calories per day can negatively impact milk supply, potentially leading to insufficient nourishment for the baby. Therefore, aiming for a minimum of 1,500 to 1,800 calories is advisable to ensure that mothers can meet their nutritional needs while also supporting lactation.
Listening to Your Body
While these numbers provide a guideline, it’s equally important for mothers to listen to their bodies. Hunger can be a reliable indicator of caloric needs during breastfeeding. Instead of fixating solely on calorie counts, mothers are encouraged to focus on a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients to support both their health and milk production.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers should aim for an additional 450 to 500 calories per day, bringing their total caloric intake to around 2,000 to 2,800 calories depending on their pre-pregnancy needs and activity levels. Ensuring adequate caloric intake is vital not only for maintaining milk supply but also for the overall health of both mother and child.

What happens if you don’t eat enough calories while breastfeeding?

While nursing, you should not consume less than 1500-1800 calories per day, and most women should stay at the high end of this range. Some mothers will require much more than this, but studies show that going below this number may put supply at risk.

Am I underfeeding my breastfed baby?

Signs your baby is getting enough milk
Your baby’s cheeks stay rounded, not hollow, during sucking. They seem calm and relaxed during feeds. Your baby comes off the breast on their own at the end of feeds. Their mouth looks moist after feeds.

Does eating more calories increase milk supply?

Your body needs extra calories to make breast milk. Generally, an extra 300-500 calories a day is needed.

Can eating too little decrease milk supply?

Eating or drinking too little
Adequate hydration also is important for breast milk production. The amount of liquid you put into your body affects how much breast milk you can produce.

How much should I be eating while breastfeeding?

You need more calories.
Most people need about 300 to 400 extra calories per day per child while breastfeeding. “The postpartum period is usually full of joy at the birth of your new baby, but can also be fatiguing and stressful, which can take a toll on the body,” says Ismely F.

What are the symptoms of low calcium while breastfeeding?

Muscle Cramps and Weakness. Lactating mothers experiencing unexplained muscle cramps or weakness may be exhibiting early signs of calcium deficiency.

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 many calories should I eat while breastfeeding to lose weight?

Breastfeeding mothers should consume at least 1800 calories a day and can safely lose around 1 lb/week (La Leche League, 2010; Lauwers & Swisher, 2015). Aim to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables while minimizing empty carbohydrates and junk food.

How many calories do I burn every time I breastfeed?

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.

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.