How many calories while breastfeeding? I'm Confused!?
I've been researching all morning about how can I create a healthy menu, based on the calories that I need since I'm breastfeeding. I am confused since La Leche League says that while breastfeeding, calorie intake should be about 1500 to 1800 calories per day. http://www.llli.org/FAQ/diet.html
I signed up in nutrition data, and according to what I weight, height and that I am breastfeeding, it says calorie intake should be of 2413. www.nutritiondata.com
And then I looked up a menu example for breastfeeding moms and I found that it should be 2700 calories : http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,3×8b,00.html
I'm so confused, I'm not good at counting calories!!!!! I wish there just was a menu example that could give me ideas on what to eat. That last one with the 2700 calories, I think its just too much food.
I'll appreciate if you help me understand this.
You need not worry so much! It's great that you do, and you want to have the best possible diet, but there is no perfect amount of calories, or food that you should be in-taking for your baby to have the best milk — it will be perfect and just as nutritious whatever you eat and however much you eat.
Just make sure you are eating enough to keep yourself full, and don't eat junk (although, even if you did, your milk would be no less nutritious).
"Women on even very low calorie diets usually make enough milk, at least until the mother's calorie intake becomes critically low for a prolonged period of time. Generally, the baby will get what he needs. Some women worry that if they eat poorly for a few days this also will affect their milk. There is no need for concern. Such variations will not affect milk supply or quality. It is commonly said that women need to eat 500 extra calories a day in order to breastfeed. This is not true. Some women do eat more when they breastfeed, but others do not, and some even eat less, without any harm done to the mother or baby or the milk supply. The mother should eat a balanced diet dictated by her appetite. Rules about eating just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated. "
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_myths2.html#M2_1
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January 07 2009 03:45 pm | nutrition data
January 7th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I think you are waayyyyy over analyzing this…Eat well, and eat when you are hungry…Not a biggie…
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January 7th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I just eat whatever I used to eat. I don't really count calories…I know I'm probably not intaking as many as I should but my daughter is growing right on schedule.
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January 7th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
You should eat when you are hungry. I am breastfeeding too and I'm sure I don't eat anywhere near enough. Eat breakfast and eat snacks, and make sure you are eating healthy food. You don't need to count calories or anything. Your body will feed your baby first.
General guideline is NO LESS than 1500 a day. You need to add about 300 - 500 more than you typically eat. That's maybe an extra snack or two. But again, eat when you are hungry and you'll be fine.
Make sure you drink plenty of water though…even if I don't eat enough I try to always drink water, I feel okay then even if I haven't eaten much.
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January 7th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I read in "Eating Well While Your Expecting" (there is a breastfeeding guide also) that you shouldn't ever go below 1800 calories, it can diminish you milk supply. It's a very good book as far as telling you exactly what you need from each category to eat as healthy as possible.
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January 7th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
You need not worry so much! It's great that you do, and you want to have the best possible diet, but there is no perfect amount of calories, or food that you should be in-taking for your baby to have the best milk — it will be perfect and just as nutritious whatever you eat and however much you eat.
Just make sure you are eating enough to keep yourself full, and don't eat junk (although, even if you did, your milk would be no less nutritious).
"Women on even very low calorie diets usually make enough milk, at least until the mother's calorie intake becomes critically low for a prolonged period of time. Generally, the baby will get what he needs. Some women worry that if they eat poorly for a few days this also will affect their milk. There is no need for concern. Such variations will not affect milk supply or quality. It is commonly said that women need to eat 500 extra calories a day in order to breastfeed. This is not true. Some women do eat more when they breastfeed, but others do not, and some even eat less, without any harm done to the mother or baby or the milk supply. The mother should eat a balanced diet dictated by her appetite. Rules about eating just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated. "
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_myths2.html#M2_1
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January 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
A breastfeeding mother should intake 500 MORE calories than she would if she weren't breastfeeding or pregnant. So just figure out how much you used to eat before you got pregnant and add 500 calories to that. Like an extra banana with peanut butter and a glass of milk.
It is said that you need 500 more calories a day because breastfeeding bruns about 500 calories a day.
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January 7th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Just keep eating The same way you did when you were pregnant. And don't stop taking your Prenatal vitamins until your gonna stop breastfeeding. According to, "A Daily Chart for Breastfeeding Moms" it should be as follows: 5-12 servings of Grain products per day, 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day, 3-4 servings of milk products per day, and 2-3 servings of meat and alternatives per day. Try calling 1-800-361-4632 and ask them how to get your own chart.
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January 7th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Take a deep breath. I agree that you should just eat healthily and when you are hungry. Your body will let you know if and when you need more.
On average, you need 500 extra calories accounted for breastfeeding. But, that's just an average, sometimes more (like during growth spurts) and sometimes less.
Eat when hungry, until comfortably full and try to eat what you crave. There's generally a reason for it.
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Mama to 9 month old baby boy
Breastfeeding peer counselor
LC in training
January 7th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Weight Watchers has plans for breastfeeding moms, I highly recommend them. Their combination of support groups and teaching you to cook your own food has the highest rate of success.
Otherwise check out the US food pyramid or Canada's Food Guide and just do the standard 2000 calorie diet.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/myguide-monguide/index_e.html
Can I diet while breastfeeding?
http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-weightloss.html
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