PCOS and breast feeding problems...

[porenn]

Do I remember correctly that there is someone in this ddc who has PCOS and had problems feeding their LO???

if so, what problems did you face? (if you don't mind me being nosey) Was it a supply issue? and what did you end up doing about it?

I have PCOS, am 10 days PP, and have virtually no supply, even after being on meds for lactation, and eating oatmeal, and drinking that terrible tea, and pumping every two to three hours, and using the sns at the breast.... ugh... i'm not sure what else to do..... not even the LLL leaders here seem very positive at this point.... maybe just be more patient?

any who-

just wanted to check....

-porenn

[ErikaG]

Might you be thinking of me? I have PCOS and hypothyroidism and have been dealing with low supply issues.

If you're not taking Metformin, it's been suggested by most professionals I know that you take it while breastfeeding. Goat's Rue is also often suggested when IGT (insufficient glandular tissue) is a concern-IGT is basically when your body fails to develop enough milk ducts. I've been warned to watch carefully for signs of blood sugar lows if taking Metformin and Goat's Rue together.

We're still dealing with low supply. I'm taking domperidone, fenugreek, blessed thistle and nettle, plus I'll add goat's rue when that arrives (had to order it online, couldn't get it locally.) And we're supplementing-with donated milk when we can get it, and with formula when we can't. I'm pumping, nursing, finger feeding and using the SNS. And I'm trying to get to a place where it feels okay to say "I've tried everything and it's not working,"-I probably won't hit that place until I've maxed out the domperidone dose for a while...I'm upping the dose today, and to give myself space to grieve for the breastfeeding relationship that I don't have with my daughter, and to be okay with the fact that she's happy, healthy and thriving on what she does get, and that even the small amount of breastmilk she's getting from me is better than getting nothing and it is something.

That's what we're doing. I won't get into the emotions involved because it's crushing me. I feel like a failure as a mother and she's only three weeks old.

You can PM me or email me if you want more specifics or to talk. I hope you have more success than I do.

[treehuggermama]

I too have PCOS and it really affected BF with ds2 but I was also using a shield for other problems. Despite herbs, pumping, homeopathy I was not able to ever get much of a supply with him and by 6-7 mos my left side was empty and he refused to even latch there. It was really hard but like pp I had to keep reminding myself that he was getting breastmilk even in small amounts and some was better than none. It was hard though, I felt like such a failure and when I gave him a bottle of formula for the first time it broke my heart. So far with this new LO my supply is ok so knock on wood...Hugs to both of you; you are wonderful mamas!

[Ammaarah]

I co-author a blog with a couple other women with PCOS. Please visit the link in my signature and see if there's anything there that helps. It is so challenging to breastfeed even without hormonal problems - kudos to you.

[Incubator]

If anyone in our DDC has supply issues and lives in Texas, I'd be more than happy to donate breastmilk. Just to put it out there.

[xekomaya]

Originally Posted by Incubator

If anyone in our DDC has supply issues and lives in Texas, I'd be more than happy to donate breastmilk. Just to put it out there.

I've been thinking the same thing.. in the ny/nj area