Cindi,
Excellent topic to explore.  I suspect, as you have already found,
that there will be lots of conflicting information on this topic.
One problem that I suspect is the fact that none of the studies
seems to compare the diets followed by the moms they are studying.
In other words, the only totally reliable information would come
from a study in which both the breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding
moms followed the same diet and had the same level of activity.
Certainly, it takes calories to make and deliver milk, so two moms
with the same body composition taking in the same amount of calories
and other nutrients, participating in the same level of activity
(except for breastfeeding) should show a difference in weight loss
if one is breastfeeding and the other isn't.  My personal feeling is
that the nursing mom is hungrier as her body is asking for those
extra calories.  Therefore, if she consumes more than she would if
not breastfeeding, you may not see a weight loss.
I generally don't make any promises to moms.  I tell them that
breastfeeding takes an extra 200-500 calories per day over her
normal diet (and # of calories is as varied as studies that indicate
how many are needed!).  She may choose to take advantage of that to
lose a few pounds a week or she may enjoy the ability to get by with
eating a little more than when she is not nursing.  She just has to
rmemeber as baby weans, she needs to cut back that 200-500 calories
or she will then start to put on extra pounds!

Winnie

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