How many calories does breastfeeding really burn?

The Caloric Burn of Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
Breastfeeding is not only a vital source of nutrition for infants but also a significant factor in a mother’s postpartum recovery. One of the most frequently asked questions by new mothers is: How many calories does breastfeeding actually burn? The answer, while generally agreed upon, varies based on several factors.
Average Caloric Burn
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), breastfeeding mothers can burn approximately 450 to 500 calories per day. This figure is widely supported by various health organizations and studies, which suggest that the caloric expenditure can range from 300 to 700 calories depending on individual circumstances.
For mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding, the caloric burn tends to be on the higher end of this spectrum. Research indicates that these mothers may burn around 500 additional calories daily, which is comparable to the energy expenditure of engaging in moderate-intensity exercise for about 45 to 60 minutes.
Factors Influencing Caloric Burn
The exact number of calories burned while breastfeeding can be influenced by several factors:
1. Frequency and Duration of Feeding: More frequent feedings can lead to higher caloric expenditure. The longer and more often a mother breastfeeds, the more calories she is likely to burn.
2. Metabolic Rate: Each woman’s metabolism is unique. Factors such as age, weight, and overall health can affect how many calories are burned during breastfeeding.
3. Body Composition: Mothers with higher body fat percentages may burn calories differently compared to those with lower body fat, as the body utilizes energy stores in various ways.
4. Breastfeeding Multiples: Mothers nursing twins or more can expect to burn even more calories, as the energy required to produce milk increases with the number of infants being fed.
Nutritional Needs
Given the increased caloric burn associated with breastfeeding, it is essential for mothers to adjust their dietary intake accordingly. The general recommendation is for breastfeeding women to consume an additional 450 to 500 calories per day to maintain energy levels and support milk production. This caloric increase should come from a balanced diet rich in nutrients to ensure both mother and baby receive adequate nourishment.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding can burn anywhere from 300 to 700 calories a day, with an average of about 500 calories being a common estimate. This caloric expenditure not only aids in postpartum weight loss but also underscores the importance of a well-rounded diet for breastfeeding mothers. As each woman’s experience is unique, it’s crucial for mothers to listen to their bodies and adjust their caloric intake based on their individual needs and lifestyle.

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.

How to burn 1000 calories a day?

The calories burned during a run depend on body weight, running pace, and duration. While the actual calorie expenditure varies based on individual characteristics, running at a moderate speed of 13 km per hour for approximately 1.5 hours can help burn around 1000 calories.

Do you burn more calories, breastfeeding or pumping?

Just like any metabolic mechanism, breastfeeding requires energy (aka calories) to get the milk flowing. To put it in perspective, pumping only 1 ounce of breast milk burns around 20 calories. With that in mind, on average, this translates to roughly 500 calories burned from breastfeeding alone.

How many calories do you burn each time you breastfeed?

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.

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.

Is breastfeeding equivalent to walking 7 miles a day?

A study recently showed that the metabolic energy needed to #breastfeed a baby each day is equivalent to the amount you’d use to walk seven miles. Every single day. For weeks, months, and even years.

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.

Why is it so hard to lose weight while breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding burns about 500-700 calories extra per day to fuel milk making, this may not always contribute to weight loss postpartum – many factors like pre-pregnancy weight, diet, physical activity level, etc will impact weight loss after birth (Institute of Medicine, 2002; Dewey, 1994).

Is 1500 calories a day enough breastfeeding?

Eat at least 1500-1800 calories per day
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.