PCOS and breastfeeding

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Yesterday at my appointment the midwife mentioned that having pcos can lead to difficulties with breastfeeding as the hormones can cause low supply and quality of the milk.

I was wondering if anyone with the condition had any issues?

She said she has it too and breastfed perfectly but she let me in on that i may have issues. But reassured me its nothing we can't get through and i just may need extra support and assistance.

[PumpkinZulu]

I've never heard that, especially about the milk quality? I didn't know there was a whole lot that could affect that. I'd just read, read, read. Join the ABA They send out a book and magazines, as well as the ABA helpline and groups. Read up on here. Think of problems you could have and work out how you'll approach that situation now, so you're ready if the time comes. But remember, it's always if

I have PCO. My milk took 6 days to come in, but I knew it would, I never doubted that. I only have only had supply issues once, a few months ago, when I was user enormous stress, and DD was going through this awful phase. I fixed that with a lot of perseverance, and we're going strong at 9 months.

[Janie71]

I have PCOS and although my milk took a while to come in (I ended up with an emergency CS so that is probably the cause) I didn't have any supply issues. BF my DD until she was a bit over 2 years old!

In saying the above, at my last scan that I had before falling pregnant I asked the FS how my ovaries were looking and he said there was no indication of PCO - so not sure if the whole being pregant thing sorted out some of my hormone imbalances.

Janie xxx

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I've never heard that, especially about the milk quality? I didn't know there was a whole lot that could affect that. I'd just read, read, read. Join the ABA They send out a book and magazines, as well as the ABA helpline and groups. Read up on here. Think of problems you could have and work out how you'll approach that situation now, so you're ready if the time comes. But remember, it's always if

Yeah i hadn't heard it either (i've been doing a fair bit of reading) but i did a google search last night and there were a few articles saying the same thing.

[RhiChiChi]

I have PCO and my milk took a while to come in but I factor that to my emerg. c-sect and lazy feeding bub! I had no supply issues once my milk came in.

I'd just get in contact with the ABA for some reassurance and pointers.

[onthefly]

The hormonal imbalance *can* affect development of glandular breast tissue, which *may* affect milk production.
It is not always a problem, however. I have PCOS and am unable to conceive normally, but have never had any problem with milk production, for example.
It is good to be aware of potential issues and how to deal with them. Most of the time there are ways to make it work.

[Razzberry]

I have PCOS and needed clomid to fall pregnant both times but had no problem with my milk with dd.

[Trillian]

Its not unheard of, but nor is it impossible to BF with PCOS. Barb has said it many times herself that it may cause problems, but other times it may not. It's individual. See this as a heads up that there may be issues so you can be prepared for them. Forewarned is forearmed

[briggsy's girl]

yeah i'd think it's like MadB said - more to do with the development of the glandular tissue than anything - and that's really not common, even in people with PCOS

my milk took a few days to come in - but i went through the whole cascade of intervention, so expected that to happen. once it came in, i had no dramas with supply or anything. i've now been BF DD for nearly three years. i've had the most normal cycle i've ever had while BF! i knew there was a chance things may not work for me due to family history of not being able to BF. but i went in to the hospital with every intention of feeding, no matter what. i had to fight hard to not have DD put on formula early on, but my determination to do everything i could do to make BF successful meant i fought it, and it obviously worked!

[Miss.September]

SIL has severe PCOS, had an emergency c/s with her baby and had no issues establishing b/f. Went on to b/f for eight months.

[Traveller]

If you look here noteveryonecanbreastfeed.com - Home you can read some stories of women for whom their supply was affected. It might help reassure you that your breasts are unlikely to be affected, or it may forewarn you that you may have some supply issues. I know of one woman with severe IGT who managed to combine feed for many months and her little one loved to breastfeed even when he got almost nothing from the breast. I had never heard IGT being linked with PCOS although that may be true, but it can also happen to women without PCOS.

[Loveinamist]

I have PCOS and it has been severe since I was 15. i.e. no periods. I had IVF to conceive but my milk came in at day 3 and Ihave had absolutely no problems with supply. In fact because of DS's tongue tie I actually ended up with an oversupply which to this day causes me to leak everywhere! Oh and I am still breastfeeding and DS is 2!