Really dumb question about breastfeeding?

If you are overweight, do you still have to make sure to get extra calories while you are breastfeeding?

I know, dumb question, but what's the deal here?

After my twins were born I had no appetite at all.

I don't think I ate or drank for a few days when I got home from the hospital.

yes. nursing burns up to 500 calories a day. You need to make sure you are getting that many extra. Dont diet for the first 2 months. I dont know about anyone else but I am ALWAYS hungry. I eat more now that Im nursing than I did when I was pregnant!

There is no dumb question.

Yes, you still have to make sure you are getting extra calories as you will need that food energy right here and now as babies feed every 3 hours or so. If you're overweight, that extra fat is for future energy and it takes some doing for your body to tap into those resources.

Always remember that while pregnant and/or breastfeeding are NOT times to try and lose weight. They should be done after the fact. If nothing else, try to maintain your weight.

Not a dumb question....just be sure that you are eating healthy & drinking enough water. Weight loss is a bonus while breastfeeding, so enjoy the fruits of your "labor". Stay away from dairy & bad sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and of course hydrogenated oils & move toward good proteins and dark, leafy veggies and one fruit a day. Get calcium and iron from spinach & bone in meats....and TONS of water;-). Do what it takes to keep your milk supply sufficient & your baby & your body healthy!!

thats up to you. your body will go into ketosis, where it burns its own fat for energy, but you deffinately need to make sure you get plenty of fluids, and as many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as you can. otherwise, you could feel drained and irritable all the time.

I didn't. I ate normally. My body used the calories I ate to make milk. If I needed extra energy, that is what my fat reserves were for. My children have all been healthy and excellent eaters and I've always lost past my pre-pregnant weight.

I think you do, your body needs the calories. I was really overweight after baby was born. Now I am down to less than before the baby weight and she is 9 months. I don't really diet or exercise a lot. Just eat healthy and keep up with the housework and baby.

Absolutely. Breast feeding takes the weight off really fast, but you still want to make sure that you are consuming enough to sustain both you and the baby. This is the time when you are truly eating for two (quality not quantity).

Oh my gosh - when I was breastfeeding, even though I was overweight, I had to eat more than usual. I was STARVING. I ate really healthy, lowfat things, but if I didn't I would get light-headed and nauseous!

you dont need that much more, just make sure you eat healthy nutritious food, 3 meals a day with 2 snacks and dont eat after 8pm!

I think so. your body needs the extra food(energy) to make teh milk