Breast feeding how many calories burned

One thing that many new parents struggle with is losing the baby weight while they are breastfeeding. How many calories does breastfeeding burn, exactly? I only recommend products I love! More info here. When I was pregnant with my son, I gained 55 pounds, which is pounds over the recommended weight gain.

During the first month postpartum, I lost the 10ish pounds that constituted the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid, plus another 20 or so pounds of water. This especially applies to the breastfeeding phase, during which hormonal changes keep us from losing too much weight.

If we cut calories too much, our hunger signals go up, our metabolism can slow down, our body temperature can go down and, of course, our breast milk production can decrease also. All of these are ways our bodies can make up for our hard-earned calorie deficit.

But there is a way to lose weight while breastfeeding! Cut calories, but not too much - studies have shown that a moderate calorie restriction of to calories per day while breastfeeding should not affect your milk supply.

Include "eucaloric" days once or twice per week - these are days during which you 'up' your daily calorie intake to cover your expenditure in order to keep your metabolism and milk production from slowing down. Focus on nutrient-dense foods - your body needs MORE nutrients while breastfeeding - not less!

If we cut calories, we often also cut nutrients from our diet. Avoid this by focusing on nutrient-dense foods as outlined in my meal plan for breastfeeding moms. Make sure you are meeting your weekly requirements for some key nutrients for thyroid health , including Iodine, Selenium and Zinc. The thyroid controls the speed of our metabolism, and if it's lacking in nutrients, it can slow it down! Don't forget to exercise once you are cleared - while breastfeeding, we tend to sit and lay more, and may ultimately lose muscle mass because of it.

When you're nursing a newborn 8 to 12 times a day, your body will need those extra calories. When your child begins eating solid foods, you'll be breastfeeding less often and you won't need to eat as much. Some breastfeeding moms need even more than calories or have different needs. You may have special dietary needs if you:. If you fall into one of these categories, you should see your doctor, a nutritionist, or a registered dietitian.

These healthcare providers can help you plan a diet that contains all the calories and nutrients necessary to keep you and your baby healthy. Making breast milk and breastfeeding burns calories. Your body generally burns between to extra calories a day while you're breastfeeding. The actual amount of calories you burn will depend on a few things, including:. The extra calories that you need while you're breastfeeding should not cause weight gain as long as you're eating the right foods.

As your body makes breast milk, it burns off those extra calories. If you're eating a healthy, well-balanced diet , you should gradually lose your pregnancy weight. However, if you're adding those extra daily calories by eating junk foods, cakes, and high-fat foods, the weight will come off much more slowly.

You may even gain weight. Junk foods only give you empty calories , not the nutrients that your body needs. Many women are anxious to return to their pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth. However, you should never reduce the amount of food you eat or cut calories while breastfeeding unless you're specifically told to do so by your doctor.

When you are breastfeeding a baby, your body needs extra calories to produce a healthy supply of breast milk. Going on a liquid diet, taking diet pills, or cutting calories can decrease your milk supply , making it difficult to breastfeed. Be realistic with your goals. Want more information? Check out my Beyond Baby Program! Restore your core with Mom Tummy Rehab. Fuel your motherhood journey with nourishing lactation support. Why Nutrition Matters While Breastfeeding There are a ton of reasons why what you eat while breastfeeding is so important!

Many of the vitamins in your breast milk come directly from what you eat. Improper nutrition can cause a low milk supply or cause breast milk to lack the vitamins that your baby needs. Your body will almost always create milk for your baby even if you under-eat. But, the nutritional quality of the milk will be decreased. Your postpartum recovery will be much easier if you are providing your body with the correct macronutrients to encourage healing.

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