Yes, to an extent. Although eating enough calories is important for milk production, “enough” does not necessarily equate to greater than the lactating parent’s daily caloric expenditure. A lactating parent can lose weight while still fully nourishing their baby with breast milk.[1] In fact, creating a caloric deficit of 500 kcals/day alongside regular exercise is recommended for lactating parents who are overweight,[2] but severe energy restriction is not advisable. Eating fewer than 1,500 kcal per day may significantly decrease milk supply.[3][4]
References
- ^McCrory MA, Nommsen-Rivers LA, Molé PA, Lönnerdal B, Dewey KGRandomized trial of the short-term effects of dieting compared with dieting plus aerobic exercise on lactation performance.Am J Clin Nutr.(1999-May)
- ^Lovelady CBalancing exercise and food intake with lactation to promote post-partum weight loss.Proc Nutr Soc.(2011-May)
- ^Brown KH, Akhtar NA, Robertson AD, Ahmed MGLactational capacity of marginally nourished mothers: relationships between maternal nutritional status and quantity and proximate composition of milk.Pediatrics.(1986-Nov)
- ^Strode MA, Dewey KG, Lönnerdal BEffects of short-term caloric restriction on lactational performance of well-nourished women.Acta Paediatr Scand.(1986-Mar)