extra calories for breastfeeding

[milkmoustache]

I'm BFing again but trying to eat a bit less cake this time: approx how many extra calories should I need, and what does this translate to? Have never had any interest in calorie counting, but I eat quite healthily, just need a rough idea of what an extra 500 cals or whatever might be in terms of snacks/drinks etc.

I also use weightlossresources!

milkmoustache, you can see the caloric value of some common foods here, to give you an idea of what an extra 500-700 or whatever you decide to go for is.

I've looked this up. What happens to your metabolism when you breastfeed is really individual. Some people are 'brilliant' at compensating for breastfeeding by slowing down their metabolism and don't need any extra cals and some people are very inefficient and need to eat a lot to avoid losing a ton of weight. The latter survive famines better. I'm one of the former

Oh dear, I reckon I am one of those who don't need the extra 10 tons of cake...Really, really of those who can eat tons and lose weight when breastfeeding. I am always crap at losing weight anyway. The only way I usually lose weight is through lots of exercise. Too bloody tired to go to the gym though!