Breastfeeding Calorie Calculator
Breastfeeding increases your daily energy needs by 2,000-2,500 kJ (500-600 kcal) per day. This calculator helps you determine your total daily calorie needs during lactation, accounting for whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or combining with formula.
Enter your details
Your Breastfeeding Calorie Needs
ExampleExample figures, not your own. Worked for a lightly active 30 year old of 75 kg and 165 cm who is exclusively breastfeeding and maintaining weight. Enter your own details and press Calculate.
Your Daily Calorie Target
10,552kJ/day
To maintain weight while breastfeeding
Baseline TDEE
8,460kJ/day
Without breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Addition
2,092kJ
Exclusive breastfeeding
Lactation TDEE
10,552kJ/day
Total energy needs including breastfeeding
How It Works
Your baseline TDEE is calculated using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation and activity factor. An additional 500 kcal (2,090 kJ) per day is added for exclusive breastfeeding, or 250 kcal (1,045 kJ) for partial breastfeeding (combining with formula or solids). If you are also trying to lose pregnancy weight, a gentle deficit of no more than 500 kcal below your lactation TDEE is applied.
How to use it
- 1Enter your age, weight (kg), and height (cm)
- 2Select your activity level
- 3Choose your breastfeeding type: exclusive or partial
- 4Optionally, indicate if you want to gently lose weight
- 5Click "Calculate" to see your daily calorie target
Quick Reference
| Profile | Base TDEE | BF Type | Extra | Total Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 kg, sedentary | 6,150 kJ | Exclusive | +2,090 kJ | 8,240 kJ |
| 60 kg, light | 7,070 kJ | Exclusive | +2,090 kJ | 9,160 kJ |
| 65 kg, moderate | 8,010 kJ | Exclusive | +2,090 kJ | 10,100 kJ |
| 70 kg, light | 7,490 kJ | Exclusive | +2,090 kJ | 9,580 kJ |
| 75 kg, moderate | 8,440 kJ | Exclusive | +2,090 kJ | 10,530 kJ |
| 60 kg, light | 7,070 kJ | Partial | +1,045 kJ | 8,115 kJ |
| 65 kg, moderate | 8,010 kJ | Partial | +1,045 kJ | 9,055 kJ |
| 70 kg, light | 7,490 kJ | Partial | +1,045 kJ | 8,535 kJ |
| 75 kg, moderate | 8,440 kJ | Partial | +1,045 kJ | 9,485 kJ |
| 80 kg, active | 9,860 kJ | Partial | +1,045 kJ | 10,905 kJ |
All profiles assume female, age 30, average height 165 cm. Extra energy based on NHMRC recommendations.
How This Is Calculated
- +500 kcal
- = Additional energy for exclusive breastfeeding (NHMRC guideline)
- +250 kcal
- = Additional energy for partial breastfeeding
- 1,700 kcal
- = Minimum safe intake while breastfeeding (7,100 kJ)
Energy needs during lactation are based on the Australian NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values. Individual needs vary depending on milk production, baby's age, and whether you are breastfeeding one or more babies.