[~*Bethy*~]

no, not diet as in I want to loose weight - but what type of stuff should I be eating to ensure Isabella is getting enough calories, nutrients, etc?? Shes not even up to her birth weight yet and she will be 5 weeks on thursday. Can you BFing mom's give me a breakdown on your meals and how many calories I need to be taking in? My midwife wasnt too concerned but told me to start eating more snacks if I cant fit in a whole meal (a mother of 3, who watches 2 other kids 5 days a week - who has time to eat?!) Thank you ladies She was 10lbs 9oz today, and she was 10lbs 13oz at birth.

~Beth

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

I just always have ate 3 meals a day like normal with snacks in between. I just cut out a lot of the junk and added more veggies. Don't worry too much about it just eat healthy.

[bittersweet]

I try to eat pretty healthy and to listen to my body. I eat whenever I am hungry...which is ALL. THE. TIME. I don't count calories regularly, but on the the occasion I did, I ate about 2000-2300. I do make an effort to eat higher in protein than I normally would.

Here are some meals I have pretty frequently:

Breakfasts:

-Steel cut oatmeal with milk and a bowl of fruit (usually fresh mixed berriers)
-2 scrambled eggs with cheese and a bowl of fruit
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 heaping spoonfuls of PB and a bowl of fruit

Mid morning snacks (I'll have one of these)
-granola bar, Kashi brand and a yogurt
-cheese and crackers
-fruit and cheese

Lunchs:
-Salad with chicken with a piece of fruit
-Dinner leftovers and fruit
-Turkey sandwhich and an apple

Mid Afternoon Snack:
-pretzels
-fruit
-yogurt
-almonds and raisins

Dinner-Some type of meat, a salad with homemade dressing (lemon, garlic and olive oil), and some type of steamed veggies. Occasionnaly we'll do whole wheat pastas or eggs for dinner

[Babybear4]

Ditto to the above. I never ate more, just ate healthier snacks and such. THe baby will get what she needs from you, and then your body will get the rest, so more than likely your milk is just fine as long as you are eating 3 meals a day and a couple snacks in between.

[~*Bethy*~]

oh ok so its more so just eating healthy? Would eating more calories give her more calories or does that just help out?

[Resi]

I believe BF moms are suppose to add 300 extra calories per day to what the normal calorie intake is. I don't pay attention to calories. I just eat and snack when I'm hungry.

[ShannonMVT]

I think you are supposed to eat more calories. My Dh used to fix me breakfast in the morning before he left for work and leave it for me so I didn't have to worry about fussy hungry reflux baby AND trying to get myself something to eat. It also helps to prep some stuff the night before for easy snacking, like cut up fruits and veggies, etc.

[szczepanski]

I am always hungry. ALWAYS. So I eat 3 meals and then snack when I can. I drink a ton of water too.

But even the days where I don't eat as much I don't notice it supply wise....just if I don't drink enough water. Then I hit 3 months and I've started losing weight nicely without even trying. I am a fan of this breastfeeding thing! I think whatever I lose goes straight to Nolan.

[**Jenn**]

Originally Posted by Resi

I believe BF moms are suppose to add 300 extra calories per day to what the normal calorie intake is. I don't pay attention to calories. I just eat and snack when I'm hungry.

This is what I was going to say. Except this time around I really have to force myself to eat. I just haven't had much appetite, nothing like my hunger nursing the boys. This dreadful heat especially kills my hunger.

She will get what she needs first and you're left with the rest so don't worry about her. She;s probably just a slow gainer. Liam was a slow gainer and he wasn't back to his birth weight til he was 4 1/2 weeks old--he was born at 7lbs 5oz.

[freesiangel]

Since I pump a lot I can tell if I'm not eating enough calories since my milk supply will drop a little - buuuut I also have a really crappy milk supply, so it does make a big difference. I think if you have a normal or high milk supply that it won't make as big a difference.

All breast milk pretty much has the same calories - you eating more calories is not going to change how many calories are in each ounce of milk. You CAN, however, change the types of fat in your milk. If you eat a lot of DHA (fish) and olive oil and things like that you'll pass that on in your milk, but if you eat a lot of trans fat that will pass on as well.

Kellymom.com has a lot of great info

[~*Bethy*~]

Thank you for the website! Thanks for explaining it ladies, its helped a lot!!

[Chelnae6]

I eat like normal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks inbetween when I feel like it. I usually cook 2 meals a week for me to eat at home and for lunch and every now and then I get a sub or order a pizza. I typically just bake everything because although it takes time to bake, its so easy to just throw stuff in a dish, season it and put it in the oven for 45mins to an hour, put some rice either in the dish or in a rice cooker and go about my business. I bake a big dish so that it will last. Maybe like 15-30 mins prep time.

[Mars]

I ate as normal but was hungry more because of the breastfeeding so I would snack a bit more but mainly on wholesome foods.

[~*Bethy*~]

yeah I notice that Im snacking more! But at the same time I have no appetite :-/ my body is whacked out

[soImarriedAnerd]

Baby gets nutrition and calories before mom. So if your lacking on anything it will not hurt her but it will hurt YOU.
Now with that said... I eat CRAP. And TONS of crap. I would disgust you all with a weekly report of what I eat. However I take a Vit D supplement with probiotics in it (68% of women are low on this and if your low baby is low), and DHA (VERY important for infants to 2yrs old to get this and in the USA we don't eat enough to get it natural-well most of us).
Ditto the 300 calories extra.

[~*Bethy*~]

I forgot the DHA! She gets some from the formula when she gets a bottle, but I dont take anything. Im scared to take my prenatal due to the migraines it gave me when I was pregnant, but you never know until you try right? uhhg LOL!! My pedi said to take the vitamin D supplement also - looks like I need to go shopping lol