PCOS and Breastfeeding?!?

When I went to my breastfeeding class for multiples, the lactation consultant mentioned if you had PCOS, breastfeeding might be a difficult task. And since I heard that, I've looked online and it seems to generally be the case.

Anyone out there with PCOS and was able to accomplish breastfeeding?!? This is news to me! I was going to try to b/f and now seem a bit disappointed it might not work because I have PCOS. I know in the end it depends on the twins, etc...But with what formula costs-I was hoping to feed for free!

BTW-it's officially TWO BOYS! :lol:

 

I have never heard this! I was not officially diagnosed with PCOS until this pregnancy, but I had a horrible time breastfeeding my son, and was hoping to do it with the twins also! I will be curious to see what others say!

 

Yes, it's true. I never did get my supply in even after trying medications, herbs and pumping. There are some women who can though. Maybe one of the mods can move this to the BF'ing forum so it gets more attention from those who are already or have bf'd?

I know that, with my twin pg, I had ALOT of things stacked against me. Some of them you can avoid and some maybe not. For instance, there was the PCOS, then the terb pump for 5wks, premature small babies with poor suck, the spinal, the c/s and so on. That's alot of factors working against you. I am very much hoping to eliminate all of these with this baby in hopes of a better birth experience but mostly so that I have a better chance at bf'ing.

The only thing I can tell you is to be pro-active. There are medications your OB can give you right away to help (mine will do this this time - we've discussed it). Use th LC's from the start in the hospital and don't hesitate to call them every day if you need to once you are home. Don't skip feedings (supplement) in the hospital unless you absolutely have to (I did to get some rest at night but you really need that message being sent to your body). Keep up your fluids and food intake. I had a hard time remembering this because I was just so busy and so tired.

I'm sure the ladies who were successful will have much better advice than I. Good luck! I hope it works out for you both!

 

I am hearing this too lately....didn't know this til about a week ago. I have been on the fence about BFing and I too have PCOS. That may make the decision for me. If I formula feed though, I am ok with it since DD was. Just going to be more expensive obviously, but DH can help a lot more with the feedings.

However, DH's niece also has PCOS (worse than I do) and she is successfully BFing her daughter. She never had an issue with her milk coming in...just some slight latching issues. So it isn't out of the question.

Keep with going for it, but just keep in the back of your mind that it may not work due to the PCOS.

April

 

I have PCOS and never had any supply problems. I BF my twins for a year and am currently BF my singleton.

 

I have PCOS, but not severe. I ovulate on my own, but only got pregnant while taking metformin. I've always had a very big supply - no issues.. My babies were full term and had no latching or nursing issues, which can make things difficult.

April - I encourage you to breastfeed if you want to. But you have to really have to have your heart in it, especially in the beginning if it is going to work. Don't let hearing that PCOS could affect your supply, lean you towards not doing it.. it just gets harder to keep your heart in it, when the babies come... but after a couple of months, it's smooth sailing, and actually could be easier than formula feeding.

Sincerely,
Stacy

 

I see the Dr. on July 25 and I am going to ask her about this. I also have hypothyroidism along with the PCOS. I don't ovulate and had cycles ranging from 32-52 days. I don't know if my case is severe or not. I have roughly 20 or so cysts on my ovaries and we did IVF 4 times to get pregnant with the twins. DH also has some # issues.

Thank you for the responses so far! I'm glad to hear it's doable and it seems like you just can't give up in the beginning. It might make a world of difference!

 

I have 2 very close friends with PCOS both of whom BF their kids (and one set of twins!) Don't give up just yet!

Reyna

 

I have PCOS, and breastfed the twins for 17 months! I had them 5 weeks early, had a c/s, they were in the NICU for 8 days after birth, and I was bedrested at home and the hospital from 27 weeks on. SO it is totally possible. I am not going to lie to you, it isn't easy, but what things that are worth it are?

You have to just make sure that you have the support from your dh or another person. Be willing to call the Lactation Consultant, and as much as some docs say that you need to supplement (some really have no idea that it is possible to bf twins, yes, they are out there) just keep nursing. And if you aren't nursing during a feeding, then be sure to pump. If you get going and need the encouragement and/or have questions, please jump on this board and ask! You can do it!

 

I have PCOS and that's news to me.

I BF'ed my dd for 12 months
DS for 18 months
and dd & DS for 16 months

No problem here. AS a matter of fact, when nursing, I am known as bessy. I have donated over 1,000 OZ of BM to a milk bank too.

 

QUOTE(twoplustwo @ Jul 16 2007, 05:23 AM) [snapback]332238[/snapback]
I have PCOS and that's news to me.

I BF'ed my dd for 12 months
DS for 18 months
and dd & DS for 16 months

No problem here. AS a matter of fact, when nursing, I am known as bessy. I have donated over 1,000 OZ of BM to a milk bank too.


I have PCOS and I have an oversupply of milk. I have overactive letdown. I struggled to get my supply to her demad and not an over amount and drown her so to speak. I did not know anything about this until the LC said it could possible cause an issue at 2 mo. I never had that. I have to say it has taken me 3 mo to get her and my supply on the same page and not too much milk.

 

I have PCOS. Don't ovulate at all on my own. I've never really heard this too much. I BF my DD for a year. I aslo plan on BFing these two. I wouldn't worry too much. Many women with out PCOS have their own issues with supply and other things. I second the opion of another person on the board. Get in touch with a good Lactation Counsltant or better yet a Lactation Center. This is what really helped me so much in the begining. Also have good support from your mom or another friend that is experienced with BFing.

 

I have pcos and exclusively bf'd my dd for a year. I'm now bf'ing my twins and using 2 to 6 oz of supplemental formula per day when my supply is low or i'm away from home. I have always struggled with supply and get very little milk when pumping. Check out the link below for more info. It seems like the bf experiences of women with pcos really vary so i would not give up hope at all. For me, one thing i did was a lot of pumping after feedings starting right away in the hospital. if you think you have less breast tissue as a result of your pcos you might try that too to build supply right away. good luck to you!

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/pcos.html

 

Like the PPs, I, too, have PCOS and did not have a problem nursing my girls and I am still nursing them.

 

I've heard this and know of someone with PCOS that never got a drop of milk...I have PCOS and even though I chose not to b/f I got engorged (took nearly a week) and had milk running until it dried up about 4 days later....

 

I have PCOS and am BF my twins but I don't have a complete supply. We have to supplement some every day. I also take domperidone. Without it, my supply would be really low. I've had lots of other issues from the beginning so that probably has also contributed to my low supply, i.e. preemies who couldn't latch, lost a lot of blood during c-section so wasn't able to start pumping for more than 24 hours, bad case of thrush, etc. Anyway, you don't know if it will affect you until you try. So give it a shot and know about the various things you can do to help your supply.

 

I have pretty severe PCOS and had OVERsupply issues! I nursed until 16.5 months old

 

I also have PCOS (could not ovulate on my own, took metformin through my first trimester) and have been breastfeeding my twins for 7.5 months now, and we're still going strong.
Like a couple of other posters, I have had OVERsupply issues.. definitely no trouble producing breastmilk here!
Please don't let anyone tell you you can't breastfeed due to PCOS.
You can do it!

 

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was around 16, never ovulated on my own, and other pretty severe symptoms, BUT I nursed for over 14 months It is possible, I did have my DH give about a 6oz bottle a day (either formula or pumped milk whichever was available)
It was also with the support of this forum that helped me A GREAT DEAL so keep checking in here and you will receive amazing advice and awsome support!
Good luck!
Tracy