# How many breastfeeding calories?

Estimates the daily calories a breastfeeding mother needs: the 2023 National Academies energy requirement for her age, height, weight and activity, plus 400 kcal a day for 0 to 6 months or 380 kcal for 7 to 12 months.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/health/breastfeeding-calorie-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/health/breastfeeding-calorie-calculator.json
- Version: dc047fb34b7f

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Age 30, Height 5 ft 4 in, Weight 150 lb, Physical activity Low active, Baby’s age 0 to 6 months): You need about 2,664 calories a day while breastfeeding.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| age | Age | Your age in years; the equations are for women 19 and older. |
| height | Height | Your height without shoes. |
| weight | Weight | Your body weight. |
| activity | Physical activity | Your usual physical activity level: inactive, low active, active or very active. |
| stage | Baby’s age | 0 to 6 months (mostly or only breast milk) or 7 to 12 months (with solid food). |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| total | Calories a day | Your energy requirement plus the lactation cost. |
| base | Without breastfeeding | The 2023 estimated energy requirement for your age, height, weight and activity. |
| extra | Extra for breastfeeding | Milk energy − energy from body stores: 400 or 380 kcal a day. |
| milk | Energy in milk production | 540 kcal a day for 0 to 6 months, 380 for 7 to 12 months. |

## Method

Total = EER + lactation cost; EER (women 19+) = constant − 7.01 × age + h × height (cm) + w × weight (kg) by activity level; lactation 0 to 6 months = 540 − 140 = 400 kcal/d, 7 to 12 months = 380 kcal/d.

## Assumptions

- Women aged 19 and older; teenagers use the girls’ equations.
- 0 to 6 months assumes exclusive breastfeeding and a weight loss of about 0.64 kg a month; 7 to 12 months assumes partial breastfeeding and a stable weight.
- An average for planning; appetite, weight change and your care team’s advice come first.

## Worked examples

1. age = 30, height = 1.65, weight = 68, activity = low, stage = early gives base = 2,279.99, total = 2,679.99, extra = 400. Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (2023), Summary, Tables S-1 (EER for women 19 and older) and S-5, S-6 (lactation: 0 to 6 months + 540 − 140 kcal/d; 7 to 12 months + 380 kcal/d), https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/26818/chapter/2 (retrieved 2026-10-05).
2. age = 35, height = 1.6256, weight = 68.038856, activity = inactive, stage = late gives base = 2,066.128198, extra = 380, milk = 380. Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (2023), Summary, Tables S-1 (EER for women 19 and older) and S-5, S-6 (lactation: 0 to 6 months + 540 − 140 kcal/d; 7 to 12 months + 380 kcal/d), https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/26818/chapter/2 (retrieved 2026-10-05).
3. age = 25, height = 1.7, weight = 60, activity = very, stage = early gives base = 2,632.08, total = 3,032.08. Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (2023), Summary, Tables S-1 (EER for women 19 and older) and S-5, S-6 (lactation: 0 to 6 months + 540 − 140 kcal/d; 7 to 12 months + 380 kcal/d), https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/26818/chapter/2 (retrieved 2026-10-05).
4. age = 30, height = 1.65, weight = 68, activity = active, stage = early gives base = 2,418.17, total = 2,818.17. Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (2023), Summary, Tables S-1 (EER for women 19 and older) and S-5, S-6 (lactation: 0 to 6 months + 540 − 140 kcal/d; 7 to 12 months + 380 kcal/d), https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/26818/chapter/2 (retrieved 2026-10-05).

## FAQ

### How many extra calories do I need while breastfeeding?

The 2023 National Academies values add about 400 kcal a day in the first 6 months (540 kcal for making milk, less 140 kcal that comes from body stores) and 380 kcal a day from 7 to 12 months. The CDC recommends an extra 330 to 400 kcal a day for well-nourished breastfeeding mothers.

### How is my total calculated?

First your estimated energy requirement (EER) from the 2023 equation for women 19 and older at your activity level, using age, height in cm and weight in kg. Then the lactation cost for your baby’s age is added.

### Why is the extra lower than the energy in the milk in the first 6 months?

Part of the energy for milk comes from fat stored during pregnancy. The equations assume a gradual weight loss of about 0.64 kg (1.4 lb) a month in the first 6 months, which supplies about 140 kcal a day.

### Can I diet to lose weight while breastfeeding?

The 0 to 6 months values already assume a gradual loss of 0.64 kg (1.4 lb) a month. Talk with your doctor or a lactation consultant before eating less than that.

### Does pumping count as breastfeeding here?

Yes. The cost is for making milk, so exclusive pumping counts the same as nursing. Use the 0 to 6 months option when breast milk is all or nearly all of what your baby drinks.

### Do I need more water while breastfeeding?

Yes. Breastfeeding raises the Adequate Intake for water. The water intake calculator gives the Adequate Intake for lactation.

## Sources

- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy. 2023. Summary, Tables S-1, S-5 and S-6, retrieved 2026-10-05. https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/26818/chapter/2
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maternal Diet (breastfeeding): an additional 330 to 400 kcal a day for well-nourished breastfeeding mothers, retrieved 2026-10-05. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html