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Breastfeeding and PCOS
Living and Breastfeeding With Low Milk Supply
By Krissi Danielsson
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a silent villain that can wreak havoc on a woman's body. It afflicts 10 to 15 percent of the female population with symptoms like fertility problems, acne, weight gain and various hormone-related complications. While conquering infertility is the first hurdle for many PCOS patients, some mothers with PCOS continue to face difficulties even after their babies are born.
Jennifer Denys of Hobart, Ind., is one such mother. Her doctors suspected PCOS while she was trying to conceive, but Denys did not receive an official diagnosis until after her daughter's birth – at which time she also struggled with a seriously low milk supply. "My milk came in about six days after delivery," she says. "My daughter would want to nurse all the time and was still losing weight."
After meeting with a lactation consultant, Denys used the test weighing method and found that even after nursing for 20 minutes, her 5-week-old baby was only getting about an ounce of milk – far less than she needed. "Mine was a low supply issue," she says.
Denys continued to nurse her daughter for five months but supplemented with formula after each session in order to assure she got enough to eat. Sadly, the problems Denys encountered are not at all unusual for mothers with PCOS. While the majority of women with PCOS are able to nurse their babies without major difficulty, many struggle with low milk supply.
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Re: Breastfeeding and PCOS by Tricia on 08/11/2010 06:13PM
I am 34 and just my first baby.I was fortunate that even though I have PCOS,Iconceived within 4 months of being off the pill.Unfortunately,despite my good intentions of breastfeeding my little one...I could produce no milk.They had me pumping and taking all kinds of herbs and pills to try to bring in my milk,but by then my baby would accept nothing but the baby bottle nipple...I am still trying to pump some milk into a bottle for her but after one month I don't even pump one once from both breasts in an entire day of pumping.I try to remember that I'm giving her what I can, and that is the best anyone can do...Anyone else who might feel like a failure as a mom...don't put yourself through that.If you opt for formula,well if your like me you had no choice and you're doing whAT'S BEST FOR YOUR BABY...AND THAT MAKES YOU ANYTHING BUT A FAILURE!