Calories Burned From Pumping Breastmilk Calculation 🤯

If you’ve ever wondered whether pumping breastmilk counts as a workout, the answer is yes! 😂 ..just in its own unique way. Just like nursing, pumping requires your body to use extra energy to produce milk. On average, breastfeeding and pumping moms burn 300 to 600 calories per day depending on milk volume and frequency. That’s why many new moms notice changes in appetite, energy, and sometimes even postpartum weight loss while exclusively pumping or breastfeeding.

But how do you actually calculate the calories burned from pumping breastmilk? The key factor is milk output. Research suggests that producing 1 ounce of breastmilk burns about 20 calories. So, if you pump 25 ounces in a day, that’s roughly 500 calories burned (PLUS include an efficiency factor and it is even higher). Of course, every mom’s body is different: metabolism, supply, and pumping frequency all play a role in how much energy is used.

For exclusive pumping moms, understanding this calculation can be especially helpful. Not only does it help explain why you feel hungry after a long pumping session, but it also reinforces the importance of eating enough nutrient-dense foods. Adequate calories, hydration, and protein are essential for maintaining milk supply and keeping your energy levels up, no matter if you are nursing or pumping. Tracking both your output and your nutrition can give you a better picture of how your body is working hard to fuel your baby and your recovery.

Whether your goal is to support weight loss, maintain your milk supply, or simply better understand what your body is doing, knowing the calories burned from pumping breastmilk is eye-opening. Each ounce pumped is not just food for your baby.. it’s proof of the energy your body is investing into motherhood. By fueling yourself well, you’ll have the strength and energy to keep up with both your pumping schedule and your little one’s growing needs.

FULL calculation info and how-to below, but remember this is not exact and just for fun and knowledge! The most important thing is to nourish your body to support your needs and that of your baby. Eat intuitively, and keep on your pumping schedule!