6 Tips To Support Your Milk Supply On A Carnivore Or Animal-Based Lifestyle

Richelle Lecourt
Apr 30
3 min read

How to confidently breastfeed while eating nutrient-dense, meat-focused meals

If you’re a breastfeeding mama exploring a carnivore or animal-based lifestyle, you might be wondering: Will eating this way support my milk supply? Let me share my personal experiences including getting pregnant again while breastfeeding!

It’s a valid question—and the answer is yes! Many women thrive while breastfeeding on a meat-based diet. In fact, by focusing on deeply nourishing foods, you may find your energy stabilizes, cravings reduce, and your body begins to truly heal from pregnancy, birth, and the demands of postpartum life.

Let’s talk about why animal-based eating can be a beautiful support during breastfeeding, and how to make sure your milk supply stays strong and steady.

🥩 Why Carnivore or Animal-Based Eating Can Be a Postpartum Power Move

The postpartum season is incredibly demanding on your body. You’re healing from birth, nourishing a baby, likely sleeping in short bursts—and still expected to function. This is not the time for depletion.

Animal foods are rich in:

Bioavailable iron (helps prevent anemia and supports energy)
Vitamin A (retinol) (key for immune health, skin, and hormones)
Choline and B12 (essential for brain development and mood)
Zinc and saturated fats (for hormone production and stable energy)

Many women feel more grounded, focused, and satiated when they cut out inflammatory, processed foods and embrace a back-to-basics way of eating.

But what about milk production?

🍼 6 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Milk Supply on a Meat-Based Diet

1. Prioritize Fat

Fat is your friend—especially while breastfeeding. It helps create richer, more satisfying milk and supports your hormone balance. Favor fatty cuts like ribeye, 80/20 ground beef, lamb, and even bacon. Add tallow, butter (if tolerated), or duck fat liberally.

2. Hydrate with Electrolytes

Don’t just chug plain water. Add a pinch of mineral-rich salt to your water, sip on homemade bone broth, or use clean electrolyte mixes. Breastfeeding demands higher hydration—and animal-based eating increases mineral flushing.

Pro tip: Salting your food generously can make a huge difference in energy and milk letdown. Sometimes using electrolytes can also help!

3. Eat Enough!

Breastfeeding burns an extra 400–600 calories a day. This isn’t the time to count calories or restrict. Follow your hunger. If you need second breakfast or a late-night ribeye, honor that. Your body knows.

4. Include Organ Meats or Supplement Smartly

Liver is nature’s multivitamin. Just a few ounces a week can support deep nourishment. If you’re not into the taste, opt for freeze-dried organ supplements or stir desiccated liver powder into ground beef.

5. Support Your Nervous System

Stress, lack of sleep, and overwhelm can reduce milk flow by increasing cortisol. Build in short resets: skin-to-skin time, slow walks, journaling, prayer, or even 10 minutes of silence while your baby naps on you. Oxytocin, the "love hormone," promotes both bonding and milk letdown.

6. Add Carbs If Needed—Without Guilt

Some women feel better with a little carb support, especially when healing thyroid or adrenal issues. This could be as simple as a spoonful of raw honey, a bit of fruit, or a slice of sourdough with butter. If it helps you feel nourished and grounded—it belongs.

💗 My Personal Experience

While I am a first time mom with a history of miscarriages, I am currently pregnant with our second carnivore baby and have been able to maintain my milk supply while supporting a healthy pregnancy.

The requirement for food, salt/sodium and rest has definitely increased for sure. I consume about 6tsp of salt in my water alone per day along with 3-5 protein rich and heavy animal fat meals daily. I have had to further dial back on my weight training and exercise but still manage to do 30min/day 5-6x per week. (Unless you count chasing after a 16month old boy as exercise lol!)

I have experimented with small amounts of carbs but didn't notice it bolstered or depleted my supply. I have learned that it is primarily supply and demand for me. The book Breastfeeding Made Simple was one of the MOST insightful books I read regarding breastfeeding. I also attend a breastfeeding group monthly and ask all of my questions and hear what is working for other moms - most of whom are not carnivore or animal based!

💗 The Bottom Line

Your milk is made from the nutrients in your body—and your body thrives on real, bioavailable foods. A carnivore or animal-based diet can absolutely support your breastfeeding journey, as long as you: