[wanna be a young mother]

So I've been doing my research on breastfeeding. I've read almost every article or Mag. on BFing that I can find. I've read all the things that can go wrong and how to get past the most common problems. I felt so prepared for BFing Nevaeh when she gets here and then I found an article about the real reason behind low milk supply. I guess low supply happens in only 10% of women but they found that out of that 10%...8% of those women had either PCOS or a thyroid problem. I have both! The article went on to say that the earlier in your life that PCOS started the more likely you are to have severe low supply problems. I've had PCOS since I was 14 years old. I guess the reason behind the PCOS and low supply link is that the hormones in women with PCOS are a little off which is also why it is harder for us to get pregnant. Well these messed up hormones in early development years prevent the milk ducts from fully developing! Which is why most women with PCOS have a very hard time BFing. Well on top of all that I have Hypothyroidism and that can also cause not only supply problems but it can stop my milk from coming in period! I just feel so hopeless! I planned on taking a BFing class at the end of this month but now I feel like its a waste of time! I just have this horrible feeling that I wont be able to BF my DD! I hate this feeling! The one thing that was very important to me was to be able to BF my child! Does anyone have any advice? What should I do? My ob/gyn that I am seeing is a specialist in PCOS and so is the PED my baby will be seeing (the Ped is my regular Dr. she was my Ped as a child and she is the one who discovered I had PCOS). Should I ask them about all this? I just feel so lost! Any advice is sooooo appreciated! Thanks ladies!

[froggles_fi]

talking to your dr is a great idea, you maybe lucky it may not effect you at all or as much. At least you can say you tried and that you researched. Good luck!

[wanttobemommy]

my sister has pcos and she was able to breastfeed. She was told she had a low supply with the second one so they gave her herbs to take and had her increase feedings and her body made up for it

[MiracleBaby06]

i have pcos i had a great supply till aiyana started her rejecting me, i was able to pump 4oz within a few mins with a HAND PUMP. im hoping our next baby will like my milk better

[mollymae]

You can only try even if you only feed for a few days then your baby will have had the colostrum and that will boost their immune system. When you first start feeding a newborn they feed constantly. They do seem to be attached all the time and a lot of woman worry they aren't getting enough or the milk isn't good enough. The only true way to see whether they are getting enough is wet nappies and weight gain.

[twinzplus3]

Have you read any of the baby blogs on breastfeeding? I think most of the women here will tell you that I know a heck of a lot about breastfeeding. . .I haven't covered this issue. . .but I can and I'll link back if you'd like.

First of all, low milk supply is 99% of the time caused by mismanaging the breastfeeding relationship--even in women who have some issues like hypothyroidism and/or PCOS. Women don't realize that they may have issues that will affect their supply and then don't get help or support and before you know it, they don't have enough supply and don't know what to do about it. Hypothyroidism and PCOS are things that certainly make you more prone to low supply. . .but it doesn't mean that you won't be able to breastfeed. It just means that you'll have to be extra careful about how you manage it.

Talking to your doctor is never a bad idea. However, most doctors are not experts in breastfeeding and I know personally I've been given bad advice by some of them--even though they are very capable in other areas. I also highly recommend that you seek out a certified IBCLC lactation consultant. Don't assume that the lactation consultant in the hospital is IBCLC certified--and believe me it makes a HUGE difference.

And yes, you should take the breastfeeding class--as long as it is about breastfeeding and not about pumping, or the 'just in case' bottle or what not. You'd be surprised.

There are numerous galactagogues you can take to increase supply but I wouldn't worry about that yet. They all will work within 24 hours if you need them.

I would highly recommend that you look into getting a supplemental nutritional system. I would find out how you can get one. . .but wait and see how it goes before actually getting one. It is a bag with a tube that you attach to your breast. You fill the bag with expressed milk or formula and tape the tube to your breast. It has the advantage of allowing babe to get the nutrition he/she needs AND building your supply by sucking.

There's no reason that you should miss out on breastfeeding and even if you're not able to exclusively breastfeed. . .ANY breastmilk shows astronomical benefits for the infant. One final thought for you: the mind is very powerful. If you keep telling yourself you can't bc you have these other issues, then it is likely you're going to have problems. Rather than thinking you can't, think that you can--even if you need a little help. Arm yourself with the tools that you may need rather than thinking it's a waste of time. You're more likely to be successful that way.

Sorry for the book.

[wanna be a young mother]

.I haven't covered this issue. . .but I can and I'll link back if you'd like.

I would love it if you could find me more Info! Thanks for the support everyone! I am going to talk to my Dr about this and see if I can find a local BFing specialist.

[twinzplus3]

Okay. . .I will look. When you're looking for a specialist I cannot say this enough: IBCLC certified!!!!!! It is the difference between someone coming along and telling you that everything looks okay. . .and someone coming along and actually finding out whether it is okay. You may also want to look up your local la leche league group. They may well have resources to or even someone there with your issues. As always, feel free to PM me and I'll do my research and come back and link some blogs for you!

[2006Mama]

I am planning on BF'ing this baby . Ian was bottle feed for many reasons any help , would be great

[goodenough]

Also, it can't hurt to contact your local La Leche League for advice and support!