There is a general understanding that breastfeeding helps new moms to lose their baby weight faster than non-nursing moms. The underlying concept to this idea is that nursing burns enough calories to effect weight loss. Is there any truth to this?

Myth #1 - Breastfeeding burns fat faster than regular exercise.

Fact: While body composition changes quickly after a mother gives birth, the extra fat gained during pregnancy does not disappear any more quickly for women who nurse, as opposed to those who don't. Studies show that fat is gained by moms that nurse in certain areas of the body where non nursing moms don't gain. Overall, moms in both groups lose weight at approximately the same rate with body composition become more toned for non-nursing moms a little faster.

Myth #2 - Breastfeeding moms burn more calories than non-nursing moms.

Fact: More active mothers burn more calories than more sedentary moms. Breastfeeding moms are less likely to be active. Allowing your body to recover from childbirth is necessary, but there is evidence that smart exercise enhances recovery and restores your body to a pre-pregnancy state faster than remaining sedentary. While all new moms should ease into diet and exercise to allow time for their bodies to recover from childbirth, non-nursing moms can start to diet earlier than nursing moms. As early as three months after birth, non-nursing moms can begin to restrict calories to facilitate faster weight loss.

Myth #3 - Breastfeeding replaces exercise.

Fact: An appropriately rigorous exercise program and judicious diet helps new moms to lose the extra 25 pounds that most women gain during pregnancy. Exercise also has the benefits of reducing the chances of developing post-partum depression. Exercise after pregnancy boosts your mood and increases confidence. These are important factors when taking into account the stress of caring for a newborn. The fact that exercise also increases energy is important as new moms face fatigue. Breastfeeding should be carefully considered by every new mom but deciding to nurse based solely on the hope to lose weight faster is not advised.

Myth #4 - Nursing moms can eat whatever they want and not gain weight.

Fact: Only a balanced diet can help you to lose or maintain weight. Junk food, excessive calories and too much sugar will cause you to gain weight, whether you are breastfeeding mom or not. While nursing does burn calories, it is still true that you must burn more calories than you take in to lose weight.