Do you have to eat more to breastfeed?

Question

I wanna go on a diet after I have my baby (my self image is just trash right now) but I don’t wanna ruin my chances of breastfeeding by not eating enough. 
And I don’t mean starving myself I just mean like a 1,200 calories a day diet.

Answer

1200 would not be enough to sustain yourself and breastfeeding

Answer

Breastfeeding will help you lose weight, even if you keep a normal diet. You need 500 extra calories to make all that milk, so 1200 is a bit extreme. You will also need your energy to look after a baby, so being well nourished with a well balanced diet is essential. If you are going to restrict your diet, do wait until your milk supply has settled in, at around 8 weeks of age.

Answer

1200 calories a day would be starving yourself, especially while breastfeeding. Talk with your care provider about an appropriate postpartum diet and exercise regime.

Answer

Calorie restriction isn't a good idea. I had to eat very well to be able to produce enough. You can certainly restrict junk food and refined sugars, but I would definitely not reduce calories like that or look to try to drop weight quickly until you're finished breastfeeding.

Answer

You only need to eat 300-500 more a day for breastfeeding but everyone is different. But those extra calories can be healthy

Answer

I think 1200 is probably too low for breastfeeding. Really, 1200 is on the low side for anyone anyway unless you're a very small, inactive person. I think you might want to see about talking to a dietitian about how much you should eat for your body and activity level while breastfeeding. You can absolutely lose weight while breastfeeding, and you can eat plenty of food while you do it. 😊

Answer

Yes you do have to eat more but doesn’t mean bad foods. Breastfeeding also burns like 500 calories a day. People still lose weight even though they’re eating more (healthy foods!)

Answer

You’ll be so hungry all the time breastfeeding. It will be hard to diet. I felt like I was going to pass out if I didn’t eat when I was hungry , which was all the time lol

Do you have to eat more to breastfeed?

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