No Sweating = No Breastfeeding?

[huggingmama]

Over Thanksgiving I went to a friend's house (she doesn't have kids) who, in talking about BFing, defended her cousin's inability to BF by saying that since she generally "didn't sweat, she had a harder time BFing." I thought this was bizarre (especially since I don't sweat easily and have been lucky enough to be successfully BFing). But I didn't know how to handle that comment without seeming dismissive. Is there any truth to this at all?

[MarcyC]

Hmmm...? Since both sweat and breastmilk have to do with gland/glandular tissue, perhaps this woman should consult an endocrinologist.

[momto l&a]

Well for me, I rarely sweat and have no problems bfing. I am now nursing my third child and each kid has had more milk than they knew what to do with.

[Childishgoth]

Originally Posted by MarcyC

Hmmm...? Since both sweat and breastmilk have to do with gland/glandular tissue, perhaps this woman should consult an endocrinologist.

whats a endocrinologist? (i think i understand what they do i ask because i had trouble / still have trouble breastfeeding because of glandular tissue problems.. think they could help? (dont mean to change the subject)

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

A endocrenologist is a specialist who deals in the endocren system things like thyroid function, petuetary glands, diabeties. etc. The endocren system is what regulates all our body functions. From our heart rate to how our body regulates itself.

Prolacton levels, what makes milk production, would fall under there expertice i think. Altho i beleive a regular dr can do the prolacton test also.

[Childishgoth]

man i wish i would have known about all this a long time ago *Sigh*

[counterGOPI]

i dont sweat AT ALL,i didnt even sweat during labor!!!and i bf just fine,may even have to much milk so im not sure aboutthat connection.
<3,
nicole

[Firemom]

I don't sweat much either. I'm just pretty efficient when I work out.

I always had an ample milk supply

[wednesday]

There COULD be a connection...I heard an IBCLC speak at a LLL conference about a very unusual case she had consulted on, with a new mom who had no milk. Her milk never came in after the birth. She couldn't pump anything. They went through all the usual medical possibilities, the mom said she had never had any kind of breast surgery, etc...the IBCLC was really stumped. A few days later the mom called up the IBCLC to say she had read somewhere that the milk glands were similar to sweat glands, and so she wondered if a surgery she had had years before (that she had not earlier mentioned) could be the problem. Seems she had had a problem with excessive sweating all her life, so years earlier she had this surgery (somewhere in Europe) that cut nerves under both her underarms. No more sweating. But, apparently, cutting these nerves somehow interrupted the endocrine system messages that would have told her breasts to make milk. That was what this IBCLC believed anyway.

[3for3hb]

so.... maybe dh's cousin who is going to have her armpits BOTOX'd to cut down on her sweating should find out if that would affect bfing in the future...

[Tine]

I too have read that milk glands are basically modified sweat glands. (Thus the stupid comment some people make: "It's like feeding your baby sweat!") So it seems possible that if someone has an issue w/ sweating, she might also have BF issues. As PPs point out, though, obviously you can be a non-sweater and still successfully BF.

[huggingmama]

Originally Posted by willemsmamma

so.... maybe dh's cousin who is going to have her armpits BOTOX'd to cut down on her sweating should find out if that would affect bfing in the future...

No. Way.

[LeosMama]

so.... maybe dh's cousin who is going to have her armpits BOTOX'd to cut down on her sweating should find out if that would affect bfing in the future...

I've heard that BOTOX is temporary and has to be redone periodically, maybe it won't be a problem long term? Or maybe repeated injections will permanently damage the nerve system.

[SeanaRain]

A friend of mine had surgery and required a BOTOX injection to help with after care. She is still nursing and was worried about the BOTOX. Her doctor got in touch with Dr. Hale, and he said that it would be fine.

However, I don't know if that is okay only in this instance, a single time, or if it would still be okay with repeated use. The dosage may also be a factor.

[timneh_mom]

I hardly EVER sweat (I get WAY overheated in the summer) and I had WAY more than enough milk! The only time I ever really sweat, is if I am working out HARD, and I had night sweats pretty bad post partum. But in general, if I am just doing some light walking or whatever and it's hot, I do not sweat. Even if I am in a sauna, it takes a long time before I am really sweaty.

[alexsam]

Yeah, milk is modified sweat. There may be a ligitimate connection.

[MarcyC]

I was just thinking about this thread....

Amongst low-supply moms, some swear that drinking Gatorade helps with milk production. Just something to think about.

[~*~Carrie~*~]

I know this is only my second time posting, but this thread just cracked me up that I had to reply. I also don't sweat much, but when I had my first dd 8 weeks early, they told me that it might take awhile for my milk to come in. My milk came in so fast and generous. I was pumping 16 oz per a breast. I remember the nurse asking where did all that come from

[Quagmire]

Another non-sweat-er here who had plenty... but it does seem like it might be a valid connection since mammary glands are similar to sweat glands.

[IncaMama]

there may be a connection. i was hypothyroid since age 10, it resolved itself at around age 23...but during that time i did not sweat. really, at all. it's related to the hypothyroidism, which reduces or completely stops sweat gland activity. hypothyroidism can also be related to low milk supply...luckily my hypothyroidism resolved itself before i became pregnant and i've had no problems with bfing, although thankfully i still don't sweat much! LOL

anyway, there really could be a connection...BUT there are MANY things you can do for hypothyroidism that are safe during pg and nursing. i hope she looks into it!