Does exercise and dieting affect milk supply?

One of the semi-finalists that I met during the fitness challenge was a mother of five with her youngest being five months old. She was breastfeeding during the challenge and I always wondered if the intense workouts we did and the restricted diet affected her milk supply. I asked her once about it and she told me that it hadnt decreased her supply. That had me wondering, does it really matter how much you eat when youre breastfeeding or can you not limit your caloric intake?
As with most things the answer to this question is that it depends on the person. I swear whenever Ive been breastfeeding my body holds onto my weight until Ive weaned so Ive never really tried limiting my calories while breastfeeding. Ive also continued to pig out on any and everything because I heard you had to eat more.
According to KellyMom, an evidence-based lactation resource on the web, you should consumer no less than 1500 1800 calories during lactation and you should also wait until the second month to begin any kind of weight loss plan.

Its all about the choices of food that youre eating. During the fitness challenge my friend was eating clean and staying away from processed food and white flour. She wasnt counting her calories rather she was watching what kind of food she was eating. Whats my advice to you if you want to lose weight while breastfeeding? Watch what kind of food youre eating and carry a mental picture around of what 300 or 500 calories looks like. You can eat two and a half cups of grapes or.you could over do it and eat a McDonalds Shamrock Shake for 1,110 calories. Remember that a splurge is just that, a splurge and not the way you should eat every day.
Physical activity should not decrease milk supply; however, with any physical activity you should begin gradually and please stop if you notice any changes in supply or how youre feeling. Listen to your body and stick to eating healthy not doing a fad diet!
