Breastfeeding Calorie Calculator with Macronutrients
Calorie Calculator
For women: BMR = 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) - 5 × age (y) - 161 * Activity
For Breastfeeding, an average of 500 extra calories (exclusive breastfeeding),400 extra calories (mostly breastfeeding), 250 extra calories (partial breastfeeding) or 0 extra calories (no breastfeeding) is added.
For Pregnancy, an average of 450 extra calories (third trimester), 700 extra calories (third trimester twins), 340 extra calories (second semester), 50 extra calories (first semester) or 0 extra calories (not pregnant) is added.
Disclaimer: All calorie values are estimates and do not guarantee weight loss, weight gain, an adequate milk supply or sufficient calorie supply while pregnant or breastfeeding. We are not responsible for any loss of milk supply and make no claims to increasing milk supply. Please consult a medical professional to ensure the appropriate amount of calories, especially if you are breastfeeding and pregnant.
If you are curious about how many calories you should be consuming while breastfeeding, especially if you are wanting to lose weight while breastfeeding, you are in the right place. This easy-to-use breastfeeding calculator takes into account the unique nutritional requirements of a breastfeeding woman and provides you with calorie and macronutrient goals.
This calculator is based on Mifflin-St Jeor Equation with adjustments made for breastfeeding and pregnancy. The results are based on an estimated average.
How to Use This Calculator
This calculator is very simple to use.
You simply need to add in your:
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Typical activity level
- Breastfeeding Frequency
- If you are pregnant or not
After this, you will be given three numbers for calories:
- Daily calories needed to maintain your weight
- Daily calories to lose weight safely
- Minimum daily calories to maintain milk supply
And two categories for macros:
- Macros for Maintaining Weight (carbs, fat, protein)
- Macros for Losing Weight (carbs, fat, protein)
I recommend writing these down and inputting them into your favorite nutrition track, such as My Fitness Pal. Remember – this is just a starting point and should be adjusted as needed. Working with a nutritionist can be very helpful.
Hi! 👋 I’m Katie, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant I have helped thousands of moms worldwide navigate their breastfeeding journey since 2015. I can’t wait to help you! Consider checking out my 1:1 lactation support services or enrolling in one of our online breastfeeding courses today!
My Experience
When I was breastfeeding, my number one goal was to provide my sons’ with the nutrition they needed. However, it was still important for me to healthily lose weight. I found that calculating the amount of macronutrients I needed – as well as calories – gave me a good goal as I made nutrition choices throughout the day.
As I work with breastfeeding women on a daily basis, I have found this method to work well for many new moms as they try and eat healthy and lose a little bit of weight while breastfeeding. This calculator is a great starting point for macro counting while breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Meal Plan Bundle
So now you know how many calories and macros you want to aim for – but now what you should you eat?
Our 28-Day Breastfeeding Meal Plan is the perfect solution. Developed with a nutritionist and the specific needs of breastfeeding moms in mind, this meal plan has everything you need to feel great and eat well. It has the calorie AND macro count for every recipe!
Additional Resources:
- Free Alcohol and Breastfeeding Chart Printable
- How Much Breast Milk in a Bottle – Baby Milk Intake Calculator
- Interactive Breastfed Baby Growth Chart
- Is Pre-Workout Safe While Breastfeeding + 10 Kinds to Try
- Protein Powder While Breastfeeding: Everything You Need to Know
- Seven Tips for a Healthy Breastfeeding Diet and Lifestyle
- Will Breastfeeding Help You Lose Weight? Survey Says…
I cannot get your calculator to calculate. I enter my information and everything remains at 0, any tips?
Can you tell me what happens? I have tried on multiple browsers and it’s working for me.
the macro calculator is not working when i type in my stats…
Hi, the calculator isn’t working
Can you tell me what happens? I have tried on multiple browsers and it’s working for me.
Can you tell me what happens? I have tried on multiple browsers and it’s working for me.
This calculator is awesome! Thank you so much!
Yay! I am so glad!