Breast feeding supply & sudden calorie decrease

[RaeOfLight]

Hi there. I've had to dramatically reduce my calorie intake due to health reasons. I'm currently eating about 1700 a day,( where it was probably 2-3 times this before if I'm honest) & I'm wondering if the big drop has had an effect on my supply.

DS is 8 & 1/2 months so was assured as feeding is well established at this point it wouldn't be a problem but its such a big drop that I'm not so sure. DS is waking up more at night since so is this just an unhappy coincidence or do you think my milk has been affected?

Thanks.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I sincerely doubt it has affected your supply. Your body will prioritise the milk for baby first so the main thing that will happen, probably, is you'll lose weight Women in developing countries feed their babies very successfully on fewer than 1700 calories per day.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

PS There's a sleep regression at nine months which could explain the more frequent night wakings.

[EauRouge]

More than likely just an uphappy coincidence :) 1700 calories isn't ridiculously low, as long as you are eating well- lots of fresh fruit and veg etc.

You don't need a massive calorie intake to maintain milk supply. There's some helpful info here.

Hope your health improves soon :)

[Iggly]

Why such a dramatic drop in a short space of time? Would that risk your body going into starvation mode?

But yes there's a sleep regression/growth spurt around now so could be that. Is he taking more solids?

[tiktok]

Elphaba is right. Research shows pretty clearly that women on consistently, long term, very low intake - starvation or quasi starvation levels and marginal intake over years - may have difficulty with supply. But 1700 is a reasonable intake.

Other research has looked at the babies of women who fast for religious or cultural reasons (not to starvation levels though - just vastly reduced intake and long periods each day with no food) and there are no problems.

[RaeOfLight]

Thank you both very much for the replies. It's just I thought we were getting somewhere at night and he's back to waking up 3 times for feeds (or comfort or both. Not sure!!)

I'm just exhausted as my he wakes my toddler too so she now gets up for the day at 5am. :-S

I know 1700 calories seems like a lot on a "diet" but I was just worried about the big drop from what I was eating before (& blaming it on being a hungry breastfeeder!!!) Good to know his milk is prioritised tho & thanks for that link. Will have a look.

[RaeOfLight]

Yes Iggly, he's doing well with solids & putting on weight etc. it does feel like a constant stream of food, milk, etc etc but health visitor said its because I started him "late" on foods (ie 6 months)

Tiktok that's really interesting stuff. And very reassuring. Thank you.

[Iggly]

Your HV is talking rubbish!! As many of them do.

Anyway, it should pass soon...