How many extra calories while nursing

Breast milk is known to carry the necessary vitamins, fats, and proteins that are needed to promote a strong immune system and healthy development and growth. That means breastfed babies may be calmer, experience fewer colds and illnesses, and have better digestive systems , among other longer-term effects. Moms also benefit from breastfeeding their babies. It can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, certain types of breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. And your uterus can shrink down to its normal size quicker because of the hormone oxytocin, which is released during breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can also help you manage or lose your postpartum weight. Moms burn about extra calories a day while producing breast milk, which could lead to faster weight loss after birth. That means that for moms with a normal body weight on a 2, calorie-a-day diet, calorie intake should include around extra calories a day, bringing their daily calorie intake up to 2, calories.

The La Leche League says that consuming only 1, calories a day should help fuel gradual weight loss about 1 pound a week while giving you energy. Just make sure that you continue to support your body with healthy foods to maintain energy and promote milk production. Try to fill your extra calorie intake with healthy meals or snacks, like peanut butter, bananas, and yogurt. While medical professionals agree that breastfeeding has benefits for weight loss, there are no conclusive studies that say breastfeeding alone leads to dropping the postpartum pounds.

La Leche League has found that women who partially or exclusively breastfeed tend to lose more weight during the three to six months after birth than someone who only feeds their baby formula. The combination should result in a quicker slim down than breastfeeding alone. Talk with your doctor first, if you want to get started on a special diet and exercise plan.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet will give you and your baby many of the nutrients that promote strong growth and development. Breastfeeding moms should also drink water frequently.

If your urine is a dark yellow, you may not be taking in enough fluids. It might help to think about drinking a glass of water every time you breastfeed. Limit caffeine intake to about milligrams mg — about two to three cups — a day. And remember, exclusive breastfeeding tends to lead to more steady postpartum weight loss. Here are some snack ideas to meet this calorie goal:. Consider taking a pre- or postnatal vitamin or breastfeeding supplement while nursing to help ensure you are meeting your daily nutritional requirements for vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.

Keep in mind that our calorie recommendations are general guidelines and you may need to eat more or less depending on your specific situation. A Happy Family Coach can provide more individualized guidance on your diet to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.

When weaning, patience is Common causes of nursing strikes How For some breastfeeding mamas, work or Understanding the supply and demand Feeding needs vary depending on Concerns about milk supply are Breastfeeding during illness is Healthy eating can influence the Mama Postnatal Mama How much should you eat while breastfeeding?

Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, low fat dairy or dairy alternatives, low mercury fish and lean meats Now is not the time for strict dieting since your body still has increased needs. Add approximately calories to your daily diet in a healthy way extra calories may be more or less than what your body needs, but always tune into your hunger and fullness cues to eat the right amount for you.

The window displays a preview of the document that will be printed. The preview might take a minute to display, depending on the document size. In the Printer box, select the desired printer. Click the Print button. If you are generating a PDF, click Save. You are prompted for the name and folder location to save the file. Our biggest fundraiser of the year is live. Plea se make a gift here! Weight Loss — for Mothers. How can I lose weight safely while breastfeeding? When can I start losing weight?

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