How many calories should I eat while breastfeeding?!
Question: Okay, so I gained 120lbs in two years with my two babies (80 with #1 and 40 with #2) since I didn't lose very much in between... I've started an exercise program and am eating healthy, but my trainer suggested about 1200-1500 calories a day to lose weight, but I've heard that breastfeeding requires 400-500 extra calories per day, which would mean that my body is getting starvation level calories or my milk supply would diminish. Any idea how many calories is good for weight loss while still maintaining milk supply?
Answers: Okay, so I gained 120lbs in two years with my two babies (80 with #1 and 40 with #2) since I didn't lose very much in between... I've started an exercise program and am eating healthy, but my trainer suggested about 1200-1500 calories a day to lose weight, but I've heard that breastfeeding requires 400-500 extra calories per day, which would mean that my body is getting starvation level calories or my milk supply would diminish. Any idea how many calories is good for weight loss while still maintaining milk supply?
You should increase your calories by 300 when you are pregnant, and 500 when your breastfeeding.
You NEED these extra calories while breastfeeding because it takes about 80 calories to produce 1 ounce of milk! This is why you also lose the weight quicker when you breastfeed!