How many calories do I need a day if I'm EBF a 9 week old?

[CheeseAndMushroomToastie]

Need to curb what I'm eating as its getting out of control. Am not going on a strict diet but just want to eat within my limits, and am using MFP to record, as this usually shocks me into realising how much junk I eat a day. So does anyone know how much I should be aiming for to lose 1lb a week or so?

Have tried googling but the sites all vary so much. I have at least 1.5 stone to lose.

TIA

Bump

Doesn't bf'ing require 500-600 cals a day? I'd programme your MFP based on whatever figure it gives you to lose 1lb/wk and then add on 500 cals per day and see how you get on. I'm planning to go back to the 5:2 plan once baby has been extracted and intend to add 500 cals to my 500 cal fast day allowance and see how that goes.

Thanks rocky. I will try that tomorrow and see what it gives.

You can add breastfeeding as a food and it deducts the relevant nutrients as well as calories

I wouldnt go over 2000 if you want to lose weight. I think the bf/ burning calories thing is a bit of a myth! With dc1 I only lost weight after stopping bf at 7 months. Dc2 I am still bf at 12m but have put n a stone since giving birth!

Mfp says I need 1200, so am aiming for 1700-1800 a day. I didn't realise you could add bf as a food, although it doesn't actually deduct the calories from the total but useful to add. Day three today and already feel like I have stopped comfort eating as I'm more aware of what I pick up and eat and think about the rest of the day