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What Every Woman Should Know About the Many Ways PCOS Can Affect Milk Supply

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So many women with PCOS have such a hard time trying to conceive that it has become one of the most widely addressed issues associated with the disorder. Many women spend so much time and energy researching and pursuing getting pregnant that there can be little room for focusing on what comes after the baby is here. Sadly, even women who do ask questions about PCOS and breastfeeding are given pat reassurances that it won’t be an issue. When possible, the time to educate yourself on the impact of PCOS on breastfeeding is when you start thinking about trying to conceive. Advanced planning has the potential to prevent or minimize problems before you are in the throes of adjusting to life with a newborn and frantically trying to remedy a supply issue.

When it comes to PCOS and breastfeeding, women with the disorder are divided almost evenly into three categories. One third will experience no issues at all; another third will struggle with issues of oversupply, and the last third will experience issues with decreased milk supply. Because two thirds of all women with PCOS will experience nursing issues, if you want to breastfeed your baby, proper planning is essential.

According to Lisa Marasco, IBCLC, there are many ways that PCOS can impact breastfeeding. She breaks it down into five easy to understand talking points.
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	<li>With PCOS that has its onset in puberty breast tissue may not develop properly due to lack of estrogen. Further breast tissues development takes place during pregnancy, so even when onset is after puberty, breast tissue can be affected.</li>
	<li>Even when women with PCOS have adequate estrogen, elevated levels of androgen hormones can lead to interference with prolactin reaching its receptors.</li>
	<li>During pregnancy, it is possible that not enough receptors will be formed to receive the prolactin that does make it through.</li>
	<li>Many women with PCOS experience insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can play a role in affecting breast growth and milk synthesis.</li>
	<li>Estrogen inhibits lactation. This is why birth control pills aren’t recommended during breastfeeding. In PCOS “estrogen dominance” is common.</li>
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This information was sourced from an excellent article at Kellymom.com <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/pcos/">http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/pcos/</a> along with many other informative articles on PCOS and breastfeeding.
<h1>Optimizing Your Chances for Successful Breastfeeding with PCOS</h1>
The good news is that there are many steps you can take to optimize your chances at having a successful breastfeeding relationship with PCOS. One way of being proactive is to seek help before problems begin. During your pregnancy, connect with a local IBCLC or La Leche League group. You’ll find incredible support and a wealth of information. Other things you can do to assist your body in preparing for breastfeeding include:
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	<li>Addressing insulin resistance by going on a low-glycemic diet. Once you begin breastfeeding, you will find that your cravings for sugar increase and this is normal. The body does actually need more sugar while nursing, but it should come from naturally sweet foods like fruit, yams and beets. Eating every two to three hours while nursing will also help your body to regulate blood sugar levels.</li>
	<li>Incorporate stress management techniques into your lifestyle. The importance of this is two-fold. Stress exacerbates PCOS symptoms and it also impacts milk supply. Daily walks, meditation, time alone for a nice bath or other leisurely activity, and journaling are all great ways to keep stress at bay.</li>
	<li>Get enough sleep. This is easier said than done with a newborn, but it really is ok to let the housework wait and nap when the baby naps or ask for help.</li>
	<li>Make herbal teas that help with milk supply. Goat’s Rue is theorized to help develop glandular tissue, and herbs like dandelion, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, nettles, and red clover are longtime favorites of mothers trying to boost their milk supply.</li>
	<li>If you need pharmaceutical assistance in boosting your milk supply, both Metformin and Domperidone are oftentimes used for this purpose. Dr. Jack Newman has a lot of information about the safety and efficacy of various drugs while breastfeeding and is considered to be one of the leading experts in the world on the subject. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrJackNewman">https://www.facebook.com/DrJackNewman</a></li>
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While breastfeeding can be impacted by PCOS, there is a lot you can do to increase your chances of being able to nurse your baby. With adequate support and intervention, most women with PCOS can at least partially breastfeed their babies, and many will be able to breastfeed without supplementation. If, despite your best efforts, you have to supplement your supply, remember that every drop contains powerful nutrients and immune boosting components are still benefitting your baby. The time your baby spends at the breast is never wasted, even if it is more about comfort and connection than nourishment.

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