Breastfeeding/milk supply

[Suzir86]

I have a 11 week old baby who has not been gaining any weight (she is still at birth weight). She was breastfed, but as of today is now being given formula top ups.

I had a partial tyhroidectomy and took 125mg Levothyroxine prior to pregnancy, which was upped to 150mg and is now back at 125.

My concern is that my levels are not correct and that this could be affecting my milk supply. I had bloods taken three weeks ago and TSH was at 0.15, the GP said free T3 was mid level (unfortunately I cannot remember the levels). The GP wished to wait four weeks to see if my levels regulated. My baby was seen by the GP today due to her weight, but the GP refused to check my levels until next week (which would be four weeks since the last test) and said that it is highly unlikely that my thyroid would affect milk supply.

This seems incorrect to me and from information I have read online I think the GP is wrong.

I was wondering whether anyone had any experience of hypothyroidism affecting milk supply (appreciating however that my last results showed that I was hyper).

Thank you

[HEA72]

You poor thing. I was hypothyroid when I had my second baby, though it wasn't formally diagnosed at that point but later on down the line (when I was absolutely frazzled by then and full of post natal depression) but looking back the symptoms were there very clearly in my pregnancy and from then onwards. I found it hard to supply the milk demanded by my baby, I just wasn't one of those mothers with an abundance of milk and I think it was the thyroid & adrenal issues that contributed to it. I would say with hindsight get a second opinion. Are there any other GP's at your surgery who you can speak to about this? Do you have a health visitor or midwife who you can speak to about this too?

Make sure you're eating plenty of really nutrient dense foods e.g. smoothies, avocadoes, plenty of good quality protein and complex carbs to sustain energy and milk production. Keep hydrated with plenty of filtered water and warm herbal/fruit teas. Fennel tea is said to increase milk flow. Consume a tablespoon of coconut oil each day, as the good fats will go to your breast milk and help fill your baby up (I was told this at the time by a nutritionist).

Also make sure you're getting enough rest. I didn't do this and I think this affected my milk supply also. Your body's working really hard at the moment and needs just as much support as baby does. Sleep/rest when baby does. Grab any opportunity for rest and ask for help if you have any supportive friends/relatives to help you with household/domestic chores.

Good luck.

[Suzir86 in reply to HEA72]

Thank you. I hadn’t heard about the fennel tea or coconut oil so will do that. I had been taking fenugreek until I read that it can make you hyperthyroid.

Unfortunately the GP practice won’t allow requests to speak to specific/different GPs. I’m seeing my HV on Thursday so will try to find some articles/research on supply and hopefully she can help with GP.

Thank you again

[Paolatello]

I had my baby girl 15 months ago. She breastfed from the minute she was born with no trouble but when she was a month old I had to switch to formula a I just couldn’t give her all the milk she needed. She was constantly hungry and my supply was awful. It made me feel awful because I liked breastfeeding, she fed well and easily but my bloody thyroid meant that I had barely any milk. Very sad but I did my best.

[Suzir86 in reply to Paolatello]

Thank you, it’s so hard, isn’t it, especially as there doesn’t seem to be much support to help with thyroid/breastfeeding issues.