I've heard that breast feeding is a great way to burn calories...?

Question

So do you think since i am going to breastfeed my baby, that it will help with loseing some of the extra weight.. Anyone know of some really effective ways.. Maybe breastfeed, walk everyday, and eat healthy..I bet thats probably the very best way, right??

Hmm no i read in several places that breast feeding only requires that a women eat AT LEAST 1800 calories a day. Thats average and less than average for alot of people.

Answer 1

Congratulations. Breast feeding does use calories, but remember the older the baby the more in drinks. A newborn only consumes a few hundred calories of milk a day a 6 month old can consume nearly 1000. Stick with it.

Table 3


Calorie Requirements at Different Ages*
Age
Requirement

kcal/lb/day
kcal/kg/day

< 6 mo
50–55
110–120

1 yr
45
95–100

15 yr
20
44

*When protein and calories are provided by breast milk that is completely digested and absorbed, the requirements between 3 mo and 9 mo of age may be lower.

Answer 2

You should not start any diet plan while breastfeeding without the assistance of a doctor. It is very important to eat enough calories and the right food in order to keep up the milk supply and to ensure that your baby is getting enough nutrients. Yes, breastfeeding does burn a lot of calories, but dieting should be done with caution, and without depriving yourself. Most doctors do not like for women to diet while breastfeeding unless they became extremely overweight and then is is done slowly. Most doctors recommend that you eat 500 extra calories per day on top of your regular eating habits when breastfeeding. If you have a significant weight problem, your doctor may allow you to not eat the extra 500, but will advise you to still make sure that you eat 3 health meals per day with a minimum caloric intake.

You can exercise, which will help the pounds drop while nursing, but be sure to do it after you have nursed, because exercising before nursing causes excess lactic acid to be produced which can not taste good to some babies.

Answer 3

Yes, if you can walk daily that's great - nice to get out of the house with the baby. I always PUT ON weight when I breastfeed (I have 4 children) because I am SO HUNGRY!!! I just stopped feeding my baby (8 months old) and finally feel normal again.

Answer 4

Breastfeeding burns about 300 calories. Plus it is good for the baby and you, so do it. Take a walk every day and eat right and the pounds should just fall right off. Good luck and congratulations.

Answer 5

Breast feeding helped me get back to my pre-pregnancy weight easily the first time (within 3 months), but with the second child it wasn't quite as easy (7 months). One downfall to depending on nursing is that you may still be as hungry as you were when you were pregnant! The "good" news is, you'll be so busy feeding your newborn every 2 - 3 hours, you may want sleep more than you want food!

Answer 6

I never heard that breastfeeding to burn calories but it is the best thing you can do for your baby.
And yes walking & eatting healthy is the best way to loose weight.

Answer 7

For sure...as long as you eat healthy... it seems you can eat what you like and not GAIN weight - I Don't think you'll have much success using b/feeding as a weight-loss measure though
You need the calories to make the milk + plenty of fluids..

Answer 8

40 cals per ounce, 20 for the body to make it, and 20 for what leaves the baby. Go for it. Walks and jogs with the strolleror a carrier are great too! Also get an excercise ball, babies love the bouncin, plus it can sooth them, with you sitting on it bouncing them - carefully of course, no shakin baby.

Answer 9

Breastfeeding does burn a LOT of calories. It's nature's way of getting you back to normal. If you eat a normal diet you will lose weight. Most women lose weight without even trying.

Answer 10

Yes! It's a great way to lose weight. After I had my daughter I breastfed and got down below my PREpregnancy weigh in a few weeks. It just melts the fat and you get big boobs (temporarily LOL). Just be careful when you stop nursing because you can gain weight back if you don't cut calories at that point.