Do you have to eat a lot to produce breast milk?

Question

People saying you have to eat plenty? Like how much is a lot? I’m trying to lose some weight. Is this true even?

Answer

You should be eating a nutritionally balanced diet while breastfeeding. Most women lose baby weight easier while breastfeeding but it’s not necessarily quick and immediate. Technically while breastfeeding you should be consuming more calories than a mom who isn’t breastfeeding. Dieting usually is discouraged as you can sometimes accidentally cut out vitamins that you and baby need. Just watch what you eat and eat healthy not necessarily less.

Answer

Just eat how you normally would, eat when you’re genuinely hungry. It’s because you burn so many calories when you breastfeed and if you under eat then your supply would drop and your body wouldn’t be able to produce milk.

Answer

Never heard about eating a lot, I’ve heard about drinking a lot of water.

Answer

Yes you need to eat extra...like 500 calories extra. 
Now i imagine it shouldnt cause you to gain weight as long as you eat a healthy diet.

Answer

When I was exclusively pumping for my son the main thing I had to do was drink a lot of water ... and when I say a lot, I mean it felt excessive to me! When I was trying to up my supply I would drink a big bottle just before pumping, another one during the pump and then another between pumps. 
In terms of eating I just made sure I ate a normal amount, three meals a day. I lost a lot of weight pumping though (they say breastfeeding uses 500cals a day) so eating a bit more might make sense!

Do you have to eat a lot to produce breast milk?

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