breastfeeding with pcos

mleelo · 11-06-2007, 05:10 PM

I just found out that pcos can cause low milk supply in some women. I have a 3 month old and had some issue with my supply. I ended up getting help from an LC. I heard that the Metformin can assist with low milk supply and that some docs recommend that breastfeeding moms should stay on it. Does anyone know anything about this...would love any advice on this matter. Thanks!

sinnie · 11-06-2007, 05:58 PM

I have heard a lot of doctors recommend being on metformin during pregnancy to help avoid miscarriage. Not sure about while breast feeding. If you're having trouble with a milk supply it might help. Ask your doctor. You also might want to think about pumping your milk and storing it, if you're not already.

guineapig · 11-07-2007, 04:42 AM

You might move this to the metformin board and change the title. I think a lot of cysters have BF with met.

claire h · 11-07-2007, 05:04 AM

Hi

It probably depends on the individual, I was able to breast-feed all of my kids for over a year but it really depended on how much I ate...the more the better basically! A libyan friend once made me a soup with fenugreek seeds in, a wonderful boost for milk supply!

Claire

another1please · 11-07-2007, 07:34 PM

I breastfeed My 2 oldest and didn't have any problems. I did have milk supply problems with my youngest. I drank Mother's Milk Tea. It did help, but be warned it doesn't taste all that great. It is a herb Tea. A pill form: fenugreek is also good, but harder to find. Good Luck!

Jashobeam · 11-07-2007, 08:46 PM

Polycystic ovary syndrome: a connection to insufficient milk supply?

Mamas · 11-08-2007, 09:38 PM

I've had 3 babies & nursed 2 of them for 2 years each & currently still nursing my 14 month old. No problems with my milk supply. I guess it depends on the individual person. Everyone is different.

lavenderlee · 11-08-2007, 09:43 PM

I'm still nursing my 15 month old with no problems. Actually, I feel like it's helped to control my PCOS symptoms.

Anyways, I did just start back on Met. Although I'm cycling, we want to try and get an earlier O and a longer LP out of it.

It's a perfectly safe drug to take while BFing, according to my OB and my LC.

misskitty · 11-13-2007, 12:58 AM

I just wanted to chime in on this one because at the time I was breastfeeding, it was a HUGE emotional deal to me.
At about the time my son turned 6 weeks, my supply almost vanished! I tried for days to get it back, and ended up seeing a LC who told me that she has counceled many women with PCOS over the years, and some never could lactate. She told me to stop beating myself up and to just do the best I could.
Some days my milk came in, other days it didn't. It was so hard because my son loved BF and would cry on the days it didn't come in.
I am grateful that I was able to do it, at least for a little while.
GL!

BTW, I have been on metformin for years.

Lindsey54 · 11-13-2007, 01:22 AM

Hello! I was able to breastfeed...but with much difficulty in the beginning! I waited for about 8 days for my milk to come in, I never felt engorged and never leaked. A LC had me pump after every single feeding....to tell my body to make more milk, my Dr. also prescribed a medication to help with milk supply...I can't remember the name of it though. It was such hard work to pump so much...but so worth it!! Try EVERYTHING you can before giving up!

LandonsMommy · 11-13-2007, 02:54 PM

I breast fed for 12 weeks. I stayed on the met the whole pregnancy and while breastfeeding. My milk supply ran low by about the 8th week. I was told it was due to the hormonal shift from my PCOS. I kept trying and used the mothers milk tea. I was able to give my son 12 weeks whivh was great. Then I went back to work and the supply pretty much vanished. Keep trying, good luck!