PCOS and Breastfeeding - low supply issues??

[Diddums]

Hi Ladies

I was wondering whether any of you ladies have PCOS and whether you had any issues with low milk supply, or indeed oversupply?

I was reading up on Breastfeeding and came across a few articles which say that 30% of women with PCOS have low supply issues. I had never read that before, and it kinda freaked me out. I'm wanting to EBF baby once she is here and was just trying to get some tips on how to establish BF in the early days. Now I'm worrying I won't be able to BF at all

A little about me. I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 15 due to absent periods for 5 months. I was put in Metformin 1500mg a day and my periods returned. I've always struggled with being overweight and losing weight. At the age of 17 I went on birth control and only came off after 7 years in Decemeber 2011. I had a normal period in January 2012 and February 2012, then nothing for 10 months! Went to see a fertility specialist who said losing weight would help. So I lost weight and starting exercising. My periods returned naturally in October/November 2012 and I was pregnant in Februaury 2013. My pregnancy has been normal so far, no high blood pressie and no gestational diabetes. And baby has always measured on the 50%ile for growth.

I guess my main question is, what steps can I take before and after baby's birth to ensure I can make the most of my BF journey?

I was thinking of hand expressing colostrum one I got to 36/37 weeks and freezing it, so that if I have initial problems at least baby can have some colostrum from a syringe. What else can I do?

Thanks very much for any help xx

 

[sue_88]

I have PCOS and absolutely no problems feeding Millie. She latched within minutes and has been perfect ever since.

 

[bumski]

Me too, I fed my first dd for 7 1/2 months and this one took to it immediately, iv never heard of that before

 

[Diddums]

Thanks ladies, that's really reassuring.

I think the science behind it is if you are diagnosed with pcos, or develop pcos at a young age it can interfere with breast development. And therefore you don't have as much milk producing tissue.

I guess because my breasts have increased from a B to D cup and I'm producing colostrum I should be fine. It was nice to get your reassurances xxx

 

[GreyGirl]

I sadly can't share the same success with you - but I have to be honest. I've got PCOS. My boobs didn't change at all through pregnancy. When my LO was born her latch was terrible, she had PTT and ULT and I had low supply. We limped on for 7 weeks of combi feeding after trying to solve chronic supply issues (I never expressed more than half an ounce) and her latch problems.
I want to BF next time, but I'm not expecting to be able to exclusively feed them myself.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it doesn't work for everyone. I hope you have much more success than I did

 

[Diddums]

Thanks Greygirl. Do you think your issues with low supply were caused partially by the pcos?

Guess there is no way to know what will happen. And it's all a waiting game and see how I get on once baby is born xx

 

[GreyGirl]

Thanks Greygirl. Do you think your issues with low supply were caused partially by the pcos?

Guess there is no way to know what will happen. And it's all a waiting game and see how I get on once baby is born xx

I don't know of another possible cause, I have no physical problems that I can think of. I think it was a combination of poor latch meaning my supply was even less stimulated initially, but mainly the PCOS because even though I did lots to build supply nothing happened for me