Hello!

My daughter is 5 months old and has been exclusively breastfed until 2 weeks ago when I started her on one portion of solids a day, she feeds about 5 or 6 times in a 24 hour period. I just wanted to know the quantity of food other bf mums are eating. Most days I have three meals but the size is large. Breakfast would be omelette (2 egg plus inclusions) and toast, lunch is usually two sandwiches with good fillings (tuna and salad) and dinner is generally a meat and potatoes plus 3-4 other veges and it looks like a 1 and a half size portion meal. I’m not putting on weight but am still about 5 kg over pre-pregnancy weight. If I don’t eat this much I’m starving and by my next meal I’m starving. Are any other bf mums like this? Should I be this hungry breastfeeding?

Posted by anon, 16/09/13

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  • I’m definitely eating more. I found with my first once she started solids at 6mnths my appetite cut back a bit too..your eating healthy so I’d give it a bit longer before trying to cut back


  • Totally normal indeed ! Your body needs this to make this beautiful liquid gold :)


  • You do need to have an increased calories intake when breastfeeding. You don’t really sound like your over eating, and you haven’t mentioned any junk food, maybe you could increase the healthy stuff. You’re not fining weight, so you’re not over eating


  • Bf is hard work! Pregnancy and bf diets allow an additional 200 calories to a normal diet. There are energy bars especially for bf mums I think through pinky McKay. They recommend a glass of water for each feed, keep a bottle of water handy with you all the time


  • Yes, for sure! You are feeding 2 of you, of course you need to eat a little more. Having said that, you do need to jeep it in check. Keep to your 3 healthy meals a day and make sure you reduce food intake when breastfeeding decreases


  • I ate more than that, I think it depends on the size of bub


  • I think it is normal to feel a little bit hungrier while breast feeding but not excessively so. If it persists it may be advisable to see your gp. Hormone levels can change drastically during and after pregnancy. I felt thirstier more than anything so I made an effort to drink more water!


  • I find somedays my hunger was/is insatiable. I wake at 3am to feed and feel so hungry I could vomit. Im also a big eater. Two sandwichs is normal thenaybe an hour or so later il be snacking on nuts or fruit. Its never ending.


  • Well i found that quite normal!!


  • as long as you are healthy eat as much until you feel full. you are hungrier while breastfeeding and need to keep your nutrients up to assist baby with getting good feeds


  • Yes its quite normal!


  • No it’s perfect I think, I’m a big eater and it Souds like your meals are healthy so don’t worry


  • Yes and you need extra calories too. It uses a lot of engery to make that milk :)


  • Yes, I always felt hungrier when breast feeding.


  • how are you doing now?


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