Will dieting affect my supply?

[Sparrowlegs248]

Ds is 10.5 months. Eating solids very well. Still bf quite a bit, esp at night but has three days when I work of no milk.

I am so unhappy with my weight. I have tried cutting back on snacks, ww, doing general healthy eating. My problem is I just can't do moderation. I know I can lose xweight but it will be a drastic change in diet.

Will this affect my supply?

[Junosmum]

Keep above 1800 calories and your supply will be fine.

I'm dieting (big diet change) and my supply is fine. I eat 1900cals a day and I'm losing about 2lb per week but DS has only just started weaning.

[EyefulTower]

There have been studies which show that maternal diet does not affect milk quantity or quality. They compared mothers with very poor diets in Africa (can't remember which country) mothers eating a very nutrient rich (and then some!) American diet. The milk was the same in terms of nutrient content. I researched before I dieted myself while bf-ing.

The body expects to have a deficit of Calories during bf-ing, and for that reason, in preparation for that, you put on fat during pregnancy which the body then uses up during the period you're lactating when you're not eating as much.

There's no scientific basis for keeping above an arbitrary x amount of calories, everybody's calorie needs are different. Make sure you are hydrated, and be prepared for every ignorant fucker to guilt trip you and tell you you need to eat more/shouldn't be dieting/will starve the baby. They're arse-talking, don't worry about it.

I bf'd ds until he was over 2. His first year I dieted hard and lost about 5 stone. I had plenty of milk and plenty of annoying criticism! Good luck.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thanks both. It would be quite a low calorie diet, still proper food just much less!! I had wondered about how mothers on very poor diets fared. Ds eats loads so I think he'll be fine. Thank you.

[bigmamapeach]

Absolutely agree with eyeful! Can make good milk in almost all situations barring extreme under nutrition. Enjoy getting back to your weight!