[cjc92802]

How many grams of protein do I need daily? I prefer a diet higher in protein than carbs because I'm carb and sugar addicted.

I'm exclusively nursing 4 month old twins and a toddler (comfort nursing, so she's not really taking that much). I know that I need 5-10g extra per baby per day.

While I was pregnant I ate (are you ready for this?) at least 130g per day. I don't think that I still need that much, but my problem is that I have no idea how much I need for myself.

Thanks!

[Heather]

There's no set answer to this question. If you want to eat a diet high in protein, what does that mean to you?

I try to get about 25% of my calories from protein (because of weightlifting), but others who lift eat more, and many people eat less protein.

I don't have any insight on the nursing issue, but congrats! Twins and a toddler-- you must be busy!!

[cjc92802]

Thanks for the response. I looked back at the last 2 days FitDay (very helpful site, this is my 3rd day using it) and I am getting 20-25% protein. My fat intake is not that high, but percentage-wise it was 25-35%. My carb percentage was 45-55%. But those carbs were all from vegetables, beans and whole grains, so I'm not too worried. My protein grams were averaging 80.

Today I will try to boost my protein, but most of my sources are from beans so I'm getting carbs at the same time. Don't know if that's doable or not.....

[CoolMom75]

I just wanna say good for you, for the tridem nursing. I tandem nursed my older two, and it was very stressful on me, although I know it was wonderful for helping the oldest through the transition. I just had my third, and didn't want to nurse the older brother again, so cut him off at 2.5 halfway through my pregnancy. guilt guilt guilt.

I'm not sure on the protein. maybe a quick google of protein and weight loss would pull up something.

[cjc92802]

nak
no way! you shouldn't feel guilty....but I understand why you do. I would feel the same way....then again, days where my toddler wants to nurse 10+ times I want to wean her.....

never heard it called tridem nursing......makes sense though...I love it.

Originally Posted by CoolMom75

I just wanna say good for you, for the tridem nursing. I tandem nursed my older two, and it was very stressful on me, although I know it was wonderful for helping the oldest through the transition. I just had my third, and didn't want to nurse the older brother again, so cut him off at 2.5 halfway through my pregnancy. guilt guilt guilt.

I'm not sure on the protein. maybe a quick google of protein and weight loss would pull up something.

[DeterminedLisa]

Congrats on the children and on your nursing relationship with them.

One NIH definition of the "recommended daily intake" is to
calculate your daily baseline protein needs (non-pregnant,
non-nursing) as 0.36 grams per pound of body weight,
which they always write as 0.8 g/kg.
Then allow 20g more protein per day if you are nursing 1 child.
They don't have any recommendation how to compute lactational
needs for more than one child. Some people use 20g/day for
nursing twins, but the same people seem to assume twins are
supplemented with formula.

The US recommended daily intake values are inflated so that they
are sufficient for 90% of adults rather than being sufficient for the
average person. So they include sedentary people and athletes,
male and female, elderly and young, but not extreme situations
like professional body-builders or people with digestive disabilities.

Obviously a pound of fat doesn't require as much daily protein as a
pound of muscle or skin, so I personally subtract 10% of my
recommended daily allowance because my bodyfat percentage (34%)
is at least 10% beyond a healthy level.

Another official recommendation is not to exceed 20% of daily calories
from protein because supposedly it might stress the kidneys. After
some reading and research, I've decided not to follow that
recommendation while I'm dieting, but some nutritionists are
pretty adamant about it.

Weight watchers has a pretty simple formula for daily protein needs,
including if you're nursing one child, but they make you get
a doctor's advice if you're nursing more than one.

There are lots of studies and charts for the daily protein needs of
infants, so you might be able to look up the daily protein needs of each
child, according to their weights and age, and then calculate backwards
that 100% of their protein must be coming from you, and therefore from
your diet. But it sounds like you already have your target level for what
nursing should add to your diet.

As a lactating mother, I'd say from experience that dieting can
decrease my milk supply even if my protein intake is sufficient
and even if I'm drinking plenty of skim milk / calcium, but that's
because I'm cutting calories enough that I "feel" like I'm on a
diet and I have less energy. I don't worry about it because
mine are older. Besides, mine respond by increasing the amount
of time spent nursing, and I welcome the chance to spend
more time sitting on my butt.

Best wishes,
Lisa