How many calories does breastfeeding burn? This is a question that has been asked by mothers everywhere. Breastfeeding burns about 500-700 calories per day, which means just nursing your baby can help you lose 1-2 pounds per month! There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, and now you can add weight loss to your list!

How many calories does breastfeeding burn?

Mothers can easily lose weight by burning calories from breastfeeding their babies. Breastfeeding may help lower cholesterol levels, reduce insulin resistance, and decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, eating a healthy and balanced diet will give your baby all nutrient sources essential for proper health, well-being, and happy young lives.

Breastfeeding burns about 500-700 calories per day, which means just nursing your baby can help you lose up to two pounds a month! Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and get adequate rest. All of these will help you maintain your energy while breastfeeding.

If you are struggling to lose weight after giving birth, consult with your doctor about a safe and healthy plan that can work for you. Remember that every woman’s body is different, so find what works best for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is a great way to start off your journey to becoming a healthy mom!

Can pumping help you lose weight?

Moms can pump for postpartum weight loss. While pumping is as efficient as your baby nursing directly on the breast, it still can help with weight loss. Exclusively pumping will burn fewer calories than however you can still burn up to 500 calories per day just exclusively pumping!

To make sure you are getting the most out of your pumping sessions, try to pump every two to three hours during the day. This will help keep your milk production up and ensure that your baby is getting enough milk.

If you are having trouble losing weight after giving birth, consult with a doctor about a safe and healthy plan that will work for you. Remember that every woman’s body is different, so find what works best for you and your baby!

You can lose weight while breastfeeding

In addition to burning calories when nursing directly from the breast, mothers will also burn up to 500 calories per day by exclusively pumping. This method of milk production uses a breast pump to extract milk from the breasts. Pumping allows mothers to store milk for their babies to eat later, and it also helps keep up your milk production.

How can I calculate the calories burned during breastfeeding?

If you are pumping, there is a calculation to figure out how many calories were burned during that pumping session.

(oz x 20)/.8= how many calories were burned

An example would be if you pumped 5 ounces of breast milk, you will multiply that by 20 which is 100. Then you would divide it by .8 which equals 125.

This would mean that if you pumped 5 ounces in one session, that you burned 125 calories.

Calculating calories burned for exclusively nursing mothers

The more breastfeeding moms produce milk, they will burn extra calories; allowing weight loss. Nursing mothers will burn around an extra 500 calories a day by nursing their babies. The more often and longer you nurse, the more milk you produce and thus, the more calories burned which can help in losing weight.

This caloric calculation is just an estimate as each woman’s body composition and daily routine varies; however it gives a good estimation on how much breastfeeding can help with weight loss.

Talk to your doctor if you are struggling to lose the baby weight after giving birth, as they will be able to help set up a healthy and safe plan for you. Remember that every woman is different so find what works best for you and your baby!

How many calories do I consume on a breastfeeding diet?

Breastfeeding moms should consume at least 1800 calories to protect their milk supply. If your caloric intake is too low, it will cause a drop in milk supply.

Focus on eating a well-balanced diet that is full of whole foods such as:

• whole grains
• beans
• lean proteins
• fruits
• vegetables

Tips to help with weight loss while breastfeeding

Some tips for breastfeeding moms to help with weight loss and staying healthy include:

• Drinking lots of water throughout the day.
• Take a walk after dinner.
• Using an efficient double electric breast pump. This type of pump will mimic your baby suckling on one side while it pumps milk from the other; allowing you to pump more milk in a shorter time frame.
• Eating plenty of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Not restricting your caloric intake; make sure you are still consuming 1800 calories if breastfeeding.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol while nursing.
• Getting a sufficient amount of rest

Do you lose any weight while you breastfeed?

It may not be as simple for all nursing moms to lose extra body weight. A deficit of 500 calories per day, for example, might theoretically aid breastfeeding moms in losing approximately 1 pound (0.45 kg) each week for a total of roughly 4 pounds (1.8 kg) every month depending on their pregnancy weight vs their pre pregnancy weight and how much weight gain happened in that time.

Does pumping burn as many calories as nursing?

This completely depends on how much breast milk you are producing. Babies are more efficient at removing breast milk but if you are doing extra pumping sessions to boost your breast milk production, then you will be burning more calories.

How can I lose weight without losing my milk supply?

It’s important to not drastically drop your calorie intake or it can affect your milk supply. Always eat at least 1800 calories and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Try to eat healthy and balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Take a walk after dinner and get plenty of rest.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol while nursing. If you are struggling to lose the baby weight, consult your doctor for help creating a safe and healthy plan for you.

How does your body burn calories while breastfeeding?

It has been said that breastfeeding does provide nutrition to children and protects their babies against illness and helps reduce pregnancy weight.

Producing breast milk takes a lot of energy and it takes extra calories to make. Breastfeeding mothers can burn about 500-700 calories per day, which is why many women that choose to breastfeed lose more weight compared to those that don’t.

How many calories do you burn per ounce of breastmilk?

Your body will burn 20 calories for every ounce of breast milk that you make. So if you are producing about 32 ounces of milk each day, then your body would burn 640 calories.

When do you lose the most weight while breastfeeding?

Typically breastfeeding mothers burn the most calories during their child’s first six to twelve months than those that are fed formula.

How many times a day do you have to pump to lose weight?

This depends on how many calories that you need to burn. If you are consuming 1800 and are burning 1600 calories in a day, then burning 500-700 calories from breastfeeding will burn extra calories that will lead to weight loss.

The most important part is focusing on maintaining your milk supply to nourish your baby.

Do you burn more calories if you produce more breast milk?

Yes, the more milk produced, the more calories you are burning and can lead to losing weight.

One last thought

Having a baby is a huge change. Try not to focus on how many calories you need to burn to quickly lose the baby weight. You are gorgeous! Why would someone need a guide that shows the difference between breastfeeding and calories despite being the same weight? Focus on this time to establish your breastfeeding relationship with your baby and enjoy the baby snuggles.

Be sure to read Can You Diet While Breastfeeding? and What Not to Eat While Breastfeeding

 

References:

llli.org Weight Lose for Mothers

Kellymom.com Can I Diet While Breastfeeding

Mayoclinic.org Infant and Toddler Health

Exclusivepumping.com How Many Calories Do I Need When Breastfeeding