Obesity and low supply

[wombat]

This is an interesting article:

Breastfeeding Hormone Levels Lower in New Moms Who Are Obese
http://www.preventdisease.com/news/a...ng_probs.shtml

It's great to see some scientific research on low supply. When I had low supply at the start, I used to get so frustrated at the lack of research out there. It was like no one cared. I think the whole field of hormonal effects on milk supply have been given too little attention by scientists and doctors.

Obese was defined as BMI greater than 26 in this study. It was a small study but if the results are true then hopefully it'll lead to more effective help for these moms so they can BF.

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

i saw that too, and i would love it if they found the reasons, however i think there is more to it than this. i was over 200lbs(definately considered obese as far as this study and bmi) when delivering both of my babes, and have an awesome supply....

[Persephone]

It doesn't surprise me. There's a connection between weight and hormones (PCOS), and lactation involves hormones that can be affected by weight. I certainly don't think it's true for everyone who is overweight, just like not everyone who is overweight has a metabolic disorder. But I can see why it could be true.

[Bleu]

I'm glad to see this area of inquiry getting some scientific attention, but I also have to admit that a good part of me gets twitchy, like, "Great, now they're finding a way to blame nursing moms AND fat women!" I guess I shouldn't be so quick on the draw, but the medical research establishment has a long way to go before they get the benefit of the doubt, kwim? Thanks for sharing!

[abigailvr]

Originally Posted by Bleu

I'm glad to see this area of inquiry getting some scientific attention, but I also have to admit that a good part of me gets twitchy, like, "Great, now they're finding a way to blame nursing moms AND fat women!" I guess I shouldn't be so quick on the draw, but the medical research establishment has a long way to go before they get the benefit of the doubt, kwim? Thanks for sharing!

I had the same inital reaction.

For what it's worth, I am obese by the BMI calcuation, and I have always had a great supply.

[twirlgirl]

I am just on the borderline of being obese by the bmi guidelines and have always had supply issues. I also have PCOS.
*most* however not all, of the mamas I know with PCOS that have tried to bf, have had problems.
I'm currently 2 weeks post partum and already going throught he crappy supply issues since my nb was in the NICU for a bit and had a lazy jaundice induced suck. I generally dont need to address the low supply until at least 4 weeks post partum.

In the past, reglan has done the trick as far as working through the supply issues. This time I'm trying domperidone instead (waiting for it to arrive in the mail!)

Anyway...I'm also glad to see that studies are being done. Its extremely stressful to be working through these issues and on the other hand have people tell you that its very uncommon for women to not have enough milk for their baby.

[wombat]

Originally Posted by twirlgirl

IAnyway...I'm also glad to see that studies are being done. Its extremely stressful to be working through these issues and on the other hand have people tell you that its very uncommon for women to not have enough milk for their baby.

ITA. I don't think anyone is picking on 'fat' moms. There's lots of other medical research done on the connection between obesity and health problems.

I was thinking that this is a good thing because if obese moms know they MIGHT have problems, LCs can target them and support them more. Like doctors do with PPD. I wonder how many of those obese moms gave up and felt like a weird failure that they couldn't make enough milk. Knowledge is power.

[abigailvr]

Originally Posted by wombat

ITA. I don't think anyone is picking on 'fat' moms. There's lots of other medical research done on the connection between obesity and health problems.

I was thinking that this is a good thing because if obese moms know they MIGHT have problems, LCs can target them and support them more. Like doctors do with PPD. I wonder how many of those obese moms gave up and felt like a weird failure that they couldn't make enough milk. Knowledge is power.

Except that the title of the article is "Why Overweight Women Face Breast-feeding Problems" which makes it sounds like all overweight women face breast-feeding problems. I would also suspect that more women of any weight are sabotaged by bad advice from doctors and nurses than have a true physical problem, but that's just a gut feeling.

[mamacate]

I'm glad the research is being done, but I hear ya about the picking on fat moms thing. I had PCOS when I was TTC, and I was not obese--I was at the top end of the normal scale for BMI, and that was after a year of fertility meds and miscarriages! I wish they would study the syndrome of PCOS and not keep looking at things like "obesity," which as another poster pointed out, can be related to metabolic or hormone disorders, but often is not. So if it's the simultaneous occurence of obesity and PCOS that is related to low supply, then they're going to be bugging fat mamas who don't have problems (and who might get discouraged that they're not producing enough milk), and not giving support to thin mamas who might ovulate irregularly, have acne problems, and a history of thyroid issues (all related to PCOS).

Luckily, my PCOS did not affect my supply--I've had plenty for twins and even pumped for a friend's adopted baby! Went a long way to making peace with my body!

Cate

(edited to clarify wording)

[Persephone]

Originally Posted by twirlgirl

*most* however not all, of the mamas I know with PCOS that have tried to bf, have had problems.

Yep, I'm not trying to generalize at all. But even with "most", that's a significant number. Just another thing to be prepared for if you have PCOS. Which I do. But I've never been pregnant, much less breastfed, so I can't speak for myself yet. Oh yeah, and my BMI is 30. Obese, by their standards. I hope to change that soon.

[abigailvr]

Originally Posted by mamacate

I wish they would study the syndrome of PCOS and not keep looking at things like "obesity," which as another poster pointed out, can be related to metabolic or hormone disorders, but often is not. So if it's the simultaneous occurence of obesity and PCOS that is related to low supply, then they're going to be bugging fat mamas who don't have problems (and who might get discouraged that they're not producing enough milk), and not giving support to thin mamas who might ovulate irregularly, have acne problems, and a history of thyroid issues (all related to PCOS).

I totally agree with you. Not everyone who is obese has hormone disorders, and not everyone with hormone disorders is obese!

[sweetest]

:

Dont know how I feel about this
- first I was too fat to get pregnant (got pg on the 2nd try)
- than too fat to bf

I had supply issues, but attributed them to the fact I was going to law school/stress/ early intro to the bottle/ poor diet. I saw an LC and pumped & did breast compresions until we were better.

Hmm......