When your baby was still growing inside you, your body provided nourishment for your little one. After giving birth, you can still provide nutrition in the form of breastfeeding, which means you must continue to eat enough to support you and your baby. While it can be tempting to start cutting calories to help you lose baby weight, breastfeeding is not the time to restrict calories. Always consult your physician about eating the appropriate calories for you and your baby.
Caloric Needs
Some physicians recommend using hunger as your guide for eating when you are breastfeeding, according to KellyMom. However, if you prefer to eat a certain calorie amount, physicians recommend breast-feeding women eat at least 2,200 calories per day, according to Family Education. This number is about 500 calories over the average recommended calorie intake for women. However, some physicians may recommend consuming 2,700 calories per day if you find you are still hungry or your milk is not produced at a normal rate.
Considerations
Every woman's caloric needs are different based on weight, activity level, height and body frame. In addition to your caloric needs, you also must drink enough fluids to produce enough breast milk. On average, you will produce about 25 oz. of breast milk per day, according to Up To Date. This means in addition to eating enough calories, you also must drink enough fluids. Like your appetite, you should drink to satisfy your thirst through your intake of water and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices.
Food Types
When you are eating for breastfeeding your baby, consuming a variety of food sources can help you and your baby obtain needed vitamins and minerals. Foods with significant nutritional value include meats, beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, cheese and eggs, according to Children's Hospital Boston. You may find that your baby becomes sensitive or fussy when breastfeeding if you eat certain foods, such as spicy foods or caffeinated beverages. Talk to your physician about any behavioral changes you note. Your physician may recommend diet adjustments as needed.
Warning
Consuming less than between 1,800 and 1,500 calories per day could affect your milk supply, according to KellyMom. In the first two months after your pregnancy, you should not consume less than this amount of calories. Because breastfeeding burns between 200 and 500 calories per day, restricting your caloric intake is unnecessary.
References
- Kelly Mom; Do Breastfeeding Mothers Need Extra Calories or Fluids?; Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC; November 2006
- Family Education; General Guidelines for Breastfeeding Women; Marianne Neifert; 1998
- Children's Hospital Boston: Breastfeeding: Maternal Nutrition
- Up To Date; Maternal Health and Nutrition During Breastfeeding; Nancy Butte, Ph.D. and Alison Stuebe, M.D.; May 2011
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