Digestive Tract and Breastfeeding

[marisombra]

Has anyone heard of this problem? My gastro. doctor has suggested that something in my abdomen bulges out of my stomach because my distestive tract cannot handle breastfeeding. Basically he thinks that I have to eat so much food in order to get enough calories to breastfeed that my body cannot digest all of the food fast enough which causes a distended colon and this occasional, painful bulge in my upper abdomen. I am about 5'3" and 100lbs, so pretty small and my DD is 26 months and nurses at night and a lot during the day as well. Does this sound like a theory anyone else has heard of? I wouldn't have thought breastmilk production would cause these overall problems in my body. Any BTDT or suggestions? Thanks.

[alegna]

Sounds to me like total and complete BS. I'd ditch any dr. with such a crazy idea.

-Angela

[Llyra]

I agree. That doesn't even make sense.

[emdeecee_sierra]

Where did he get his M.D.? Out of a crackerjax box? What a bizarro theory. Time for a second opinion

[MaryJaneLouise]

Does he have a name for this diagnosis / syndrome?

[MovingMomma]

If you're having an actual painful issue, that is most likely something the dr needs to work a little harder at figuring out.

If it's just bloating/distended stomache at the end of the day, it could be that you are eating too much at dinner. It's still not fair to put the blame on breastfeeding, though. Conceivably, an elite athlete with similar (or greater) caloric needs could have the same kind of issue.

Try spreading your calories out throughout the day. Try eating more calorie-dense foods (more fats).

My belly is much larger at the end of the day than the beginning. I'm not sure if it's due to a food volume type issue, or if it is bloating associated with a food reaction. But I am a similar size (5'2", 95 lbs) and eat more than my husband, who is 6'1" and an active duty Marine.

[thixle]

I have some pretty severe digestive issues and have NEVER heard of this...
I would refuse to see that doctor again... and I would probably demand my $ back and definately write a letter to his "superior."

[deleria]

I've never heard of that. That makes about as much sense as the two nurses who told my friend not to breastfeed because she's a redhead and redheads can't successfully breastfeed without pain :P

[GooeyRN]

I never heard that one before.

[kimbersdawnly]

That sounds loony.

I had a weird occasional painful bulge in my upper abdomen by the time my first was 2 and it scared the heck out of me! What was it? I had been carrying my son on the same hip almost exclusively, so my abs were lopsided and one side was week enough that the pregnancy gap hadn't closed properly. That was it. While this probably isn't your problem (I also usually appeared a little lopsided when I looked down at my own belly), I'd say it's a good example showing that there are a lot of other simple possibilities that should be explored before breastfeeding gets blamed.

Another thought - even if this were true, couldn't you solve it (or test the theory) by just eating fewer, more calorie dense foods?