breastfeeding generalizations

happygirl1013 · October 2014

So i went to a breastfeeding class last night- and I feel like I got the wind knocked out of me. One of the first thing the teacher said was, "your milk may not ever come in properly if you used IVF to get pregnant, have PCOS, or have gestational diabetes." ALL THREE APPLY TO ME!!!!

Any one know of success stories? Was this woman just scaring me? Anything proactive I can do to pre-manage this?

FishyMom · October 2014

I have never heard that IVF was a factor in not being able to breastfeed. Most of the girls who share their birth story talk about how they immediately bf after.. So I am unsure.. I would say stay off google tho.. You won't know until you know... That is how I'm approaching it. BFing gives me a lot of anxiety. I'm sorry they said that right off tho!! Shame on them.

pblge · October 2014

New to me! I did a quick Google and found this, which seemed helpful:
https://www.yourivfjourney.com/breastfeeding-after-ivf-10-tips-for-success/

Will have to research the pcos part, too!

kmc84 · October 2014

Ummmmm BULLSHIT!

I used IVF, have type 1 diabetes, and have some type of PCOS. Since A was premature I had to supplement per hospital policy. I never used formula (except once very early because her sugar was quite low). My milk came in with a vengeance and I was able to pump enough colostrum in the hospital to supplement with. I didn't do anything (other that pumping in the hospital) to enhance my milk supply. I had a very easy time bfing A. I know it's always easy for everyone, but it was a change that happened very smoothly for me.

Don't freak yourself out. The breastfeeding board is an amazing resource. I highly recommend stalking that board for a while. They give very good advice.

kmc84 · October 2014

Also, the best thing you can do to help your milk come in after baby is born is nurse, nurse, and nurse some more. Drink tons of water and EAT! Your body needs an incredible amount of calories after going through labor and birth ad trying to get those boobs working!

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

Some people with hormonal imbalances can struggle with supply. But I wouldn't anticipate issues - chances are you will be fine! Bigger issues are family history (was your Mom able to breastfeed if she tried?) and physical issues (do you have inverted nipples or super big breasts?)

If you are worried, I would preemptively contact a lactation consultant to have someone on call if you do have issues. But really, you will most likely have the same challenges as anyone else, and be just as likely to be successful if you persevere!

gsancho · October 2014

The only thing I've heard is similar to what @southernyankeegirl said. If you have hormonal imbalances, it can make it more difficult to produce milk. Just like some hormonal imbalances can lead to PCOS or IF. But it's not necessarily a rule. There's plenty of people with IF struggles who produce just fine, and there's plenty of people who got pregnant right away who have a hard time breastfeeding. She may have emphasized the generalization a little too much.

dp21 · October 2014

Hi ladies,

I am no expert but I work with a lot of breastfeeding moms because I take care of stable preemies from the NICU and other babies as a nurse on a peds unit. From what I have seen, some women have no issues, others do because of anatomy, supply, etc. All you can do is try! We really can't predict what our bodies will do. I really want to breastfeed, but if I can't because of supply issues/latch etc. I know it is not the end of the world, babies can do well on formula. I was formula fed and turned out alright, I think :P Even though breastmilk is the best, formula will not kill your baby....I promise. I am definitely an advocate of breastfeeding but what I am saying is don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out and feel guilty about it. Some things are out of our hands. Definitely talk to a lactation consultant while at the hospital, ours are amazing and also remember to pump or breastfeed at least every 3 hours to keep supplies up.

My friend's baby wasn't able to latch, so she exclusively pumped for a year! Wow, amazing. So proud of her.

Another person I know had no supply first baby (so formula fed kiddo), second baby had so much milk she didn't know what to do with it!

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

I know a woman with PCOS who conceived twins by IVF, who were born at 31w. She exclusively pumped for their entire first year - for twins!!!! So yeah, it's all anecdotal, and definitely possible for many Moms.

I think like @gsancho‌ said, it's better to consider that as a reason IF problems pop up, rather than assuming you'll have problems.

happygirl1013 · October 2014

Ladies- I pretty much felt like most of you did, it was a huge generalization. Yes, I have PCOS, but it's been well managed for a decade. Yes, I have gestational diabetes, but I do finger sticks and keep my readings low. Yes, we did IVF, but is was because of male infertility issues, not mine. I was so freaked out, I made an appointment with a work-sponsored IBCLC today and she called bullshit on this woman. She said there are very few absolutes in breastfeeding, more just challenges you have to work through.

Thank you all very much for your thoughts!

xc1148 · October 2014

Just a thing to keep in mind....there are few absolutes in life, let alone pregnancy/childbirth. If anyone tells you something is GOING to happen, take it with a grain of salt. Most informed people will tell you there are 500 different outcomes for everything.

Good luck!

ld08271 · October 2014

***lurker alert***

I hope you don't mind me responding since my little one has already made his arrival.

I'm sorry that you received such negativity from your breastfeeding class. I just wanted to add that even if you are the 3% of women who have "true" lactation failure, you can STILL breastfeed! I'm so glad you found a good LC to work with and build your confidence. I'm guessing that the woman in your breastfeeding class was just trying to be warn women in that at risk group. I myself can appreciate that to an extent since I've struggled with supply issues with both children. Part of me wishes I had been given a heads up.

For me it's probably both hormonal issues at play and insufficient breast tissue. I don't ovulate for undetermined reasons (though I haven't been given a PCOS diagnosis) and my breast anatomy is atypical. However, I've continued to BF with the help of a great LC, adding pumping sessions between nursing, nursing on demand, taking herbs, taking domperidone, and using an at breast supplementer. Anything is possible!

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Whether you have challenges or not it's great you are already building a support network. You're welcome to PM me if you want to know more details.

Milagros315 · October 2014

I went to a breastfeeding class last night. The nurse mentioned that there are three groups of people that they give special attention to because there's a slightly higher chance they'll have trouble: 1) anyone who has had breast surgery, 2) someone with a thyroid problem and 3) and people who had trouble trying to conceive due to hormonal issues. She did NOT say that these people can't breastfeed, just that those things MIGHT make it a little more difficult for some people in those groups. Of course, even people not in those groups can have trouble too. They just like to know what they're working with when they do a lactation consultation.

I specifically asked about IVF (and endometriosis) and she said she has never seen or heard of that being an issue.

ELF4321 · October 2014

**** Lurker Here *****

I did have complete lactation failure as the result of insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) and breast hypoplasia (though I do not have PCOS). I did a lot of research at the time (2012). As for IVF in general, I didn't see anything linking supply issues with all forms of IF, just some possible link to PCOS, luteal phase defect, and thyroid issues. Most experts (there are few on this subject since little study has been devoted to it) indicate that in their experience with women with PCOS, about 1/3 will have normal supply, 1/3 will have over-supply (so still able to fully BF), and 1/3 will have low supply (not necessarily NO supply, but might need to supplement with formula or take certain meds that can increase supply like domperidone).

There is no real way to know for certain which group you will fall into until the baby is born and you start BFing, but if you have signs of breast hypoplasia and/or no real breast growth during pregnancy, those can be strong markers of low supply (not always, but often). There is little you can do ahead of time except prepare yourself for the possibility, learn about what options are available for trying to increase supply, and ways to supplement that can preserve the breast-feeding relationship (like using a formula feeding tube taped to your breast called an SNS (supplemental nursing system). Here's a link with a lot of good info and signs to look for: https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/insufficient-glandular-tissue/

If you think you may show signs of hypoplasia or haven't had any real breast growth during pregnancy, it is probably worthwhile to find a lactation consultant now to begin preparing for the possibility. I wish someone had clued me in. I showed obvious physical signs of hypoplasia, but my OBs never said anything, probably because most don't know anything about it. Even at the hospital the first few days when we were struggling to BF, only one of three different LCs on staff even mentioned the possibility of low supply to me. Thankfully our pediatrician's office has a great LC on staff who was able to help me figure out what was happening, but I wish I had been more mentally prepared for the possibility.

Also, for anyone worried about having to formula feed -- my daughter has been exclusively formula fed from her first week of life and has still (at almost 2.5 years) never had an ear infection, never had a serious illness other than a few normal colds and viruses, and was speaking in complete sentences by 18 months, so I don't think her IQ took much of a hit either. It seemed like the end of the world when she was a newborn and I wasn't able to BF, but in hindsight, it turned out to not really be a big deal at all. There are support groups out there, including several on facebook, if you find yourself needing it.

Good luck with everything, and just know that however it works out, your baby will not suffer.

BeckyP005 · October 2014

Sorry to butt in...@ELF4321‌ how the heck are you!!! @happygirl1013‌ no insight but good luck to you!

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breastfeeding generalizations

Re: breastfeeding generalizations

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Want a personalized experience?

breastfeeding generalizations

Re: breastfeeding generalizations

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!