I have run across the occasional mother who has put on weight rather
than lose it during lactation.  This has rarely been a worrisome
weight gain as in the case described.  Our society pushes "slimness"
as an ideal.  One wonders whether some women just "let themselves go"
and eat all they have deprived themselves of before they got pregnant
and lactating.  I have heard many women say this: "now I can eat as
much as I want because I have an excuse for it".

In the case mentioned, where the mother is probably only doing token
breastfeeding, I doubt whether the hormones have anything to do with
it.  I believe there is no evidence in any case that hormones of
lactation affect appetite.  The dietician is just shooting the breeze,
in my opinion.  So is the endocrinologist.

No hard data, just opinions.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC