Who's trying to lose weight while BF'ng? How many calories a day?

Suern9870 · November 2012

I'm trying to lose a bit of weight and recently joined Jenny Craig. They have me on the 1500 calorie plan. I nurse my son 4-5 times a day & am 5'8". Does this seem low to you? 'Cause I'm starving! I'm wondering what other moms, who have successfully lost weight while BF'ng take in in calories?

Thnx!

jamdv3 · November 2012

Uh, yeah, that seems low. Everything I've read has Bfing mamas consuming at least 1800 cals a day. My biggest concern would be a dip in supply as a result of your low calorie intake. If I were you, I'd start at 1800-1900 cals/day, see if your supply maintains, and see if you're able to still drop weight at an appropriate rate. If so, I wouldn't change anything.

Arnegard · November 2012

I am 5'9" and normally around 160. While BF and trying to lose weight I did great at 2000 calories per day. Honestly, I probably eat this much now since I burn about 500 calories per workout a day too.

Sue&Pasquale · November 2012

add 500 calories to that. you should eat 2000 calories. breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day.

I am not a fan of jenny craig. I like something that you eat real food. what worked for me was eating clean and healthy. 3 meals and 2 snacks. think of breaskfast, 300 calories, lunch 400 and dinner 500-600. snacks 200 calories.

Also get active if you arent. walk with the baby, when baby sleeps put a dvd in. I like Jillian michaels ripped in 30. sneak exercise in when you can. do lunges and squats while brusing your teeth and blow drying your hair. I used to do leg lifts when I breastfed him sidelying on my bed.

by the time my son was 5 months old I was back to wedding weight.

good luck.

Suern9870 · November 2012

thank you, ladies, for the responses. this is very helpful!

JG362009 · November 2012

I think that's low and I'm 5'3". I lost weight bfing and keep at about 1800 calories a day. My baby gets 100% breastmilk but I pump when I'm at work. No supply issues and unless I skip a meal I'm not starving.

brewcitybride · November 2012

I always read and followed the advice that you should never TRY to lose weight while breastfeeding. Yes, that sounds like way too few calories! I think I was up to like 2,200 calories when bf'ing! And I still lost weight (again, I wasn't trying, that is just how my body reacted to bf'ing, I dropped weight).

I would just make sure you are eating clean and healthy foods, and dont' worry about losing weight until you are done breastfeeding. That is way too much stress on your body to cut calories when your body needs MORE calories than ever! I was always way more hungrier when bf'ing then I ever was when preggers, and I ate way more, too!

hbdpt · December 2012

AdvoCare has an awesome Breasfeeding mom's challenge. It's a modified version of their 24 day challenge that not only helps you lose weight, but gives you the nutritional support to help you maintain a healthy milk supply.

https://www.bmorewithadvocare.com/Nursing_moms_modified_challenge.html

kyethra · December 2012

I asked my nutritionist. She said that while I am breastfeeding, aim for 1400 to 1800 calories a day. Once I stop 1200 to 1400. I use my fitness pal online to track the calories I take in and a mybodymedia fit link to track what I burn. So it has me on a lower calorie plan, but it doesn't take lactation into account. So when I eat 1700 calories and it tells me I have gone over I explain I really haven't. (Yes I talk to devices). I'm the same height.

CrazyLife3 · December 2012

I EBF, eat 1900 calories per day, exercise 4 time per week, and am losing about a pound a week with no effect on supply. I am 5'3" 140 lbs.

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