Breastfeeding calorie calculator
Breastfeeding costs energy — about 330 extra calories a day in the first six months and around 400 after that. Enter a few details to see what keeps your weight and your supply steady, and, once you are past six weeks, a gentle target that loses about half a kilo a week without dipping below the floor breastfeeding organisations advise.
General information for education, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Nothing you enter is stored. If something feels wrong, call your midwife, doctor or local emergency number.
How this works
Resting energy is estimated with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, multiplied by an activity factor, plus the Institute of Medicine's lactation allowance (330 kcal a day for months 0 to 6, 400 after, roughly half for mixed feeding). The weight-loss target subtracts 500 kcal but never goes below 1,800 while breastfeeding or 1,500 otherwise, and is not offered before six weeks.
Common questions
How many extra calories do I need while breastfeeding?
About 330 a day in the first six months and about 400 after, according to the Institute of Medicine; some of the early months' cost is met from pregnancy fat stores, which is why the first figure is lower.
Can I lose weight while breastfeeding?
Yes, gradually. Around half a kilo a week after the first six weeks does not usually affect supply. Crash diets and eating under about 1,800 calories a day can.
Does breastfeeding make you lose weight?
For some people, over months. For others appetite rises to match and weight stays put until feeding reduces. Both are normal.
Sources
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