By Anna E.
Editor’s Note: The story in this week’s blog post comes from New Beginnings, Issue 3, 2010, when it was in magazine form. La Leche League News, a bimonthly LLLI publication for members, started in 1958. The name was changed to New Beginnings in 1985. New Beginnings was acquired by La Leche League USA in 2010 and continued to be published as a magazine until 2014, when it was converted to its current weekly blog format at www.lllusa.org/blog/
When I got pregnant with my first child, a son, in 2005, l promised myself I would breastfeed him. I didn’t educate myself or build up a support system, like some people do. I thought breastfeeding would come naturally. Unfortunately for Aidan and I, we weaned much earlier than I would have liked. I struggled with this outcome emotionally. Eventually, I found peace, vowing to educate myself and promising myself that my future children would be breastfed.
When my son was almost a year old, I became pregnant again. I quickly called my local La Leche League Leaders and started attending meetings. Even after a miscarriage, I continued attending the meetings. I needed and wanted all the information I could get. I read all the breastfeeding books I could find. I got the chance to educate my husband during this time as well and, two years later, armed with knowledge, resources, and an unfailing support system, I became pregnant again.
The hospital staff at my delivery was helpful and supportive in my decision to breastfeed and room in. After being separated briefly after birth, Isabella Rose and I shared a 40-minute, blissful first nursing session. I will remember it forever. She latched on like a pro, and I marveled at her perfection. We nursed round the clock, on demand and exclusively from that moment forward. And though my baby slowly lost a bit of weight, the hospital staff seemed unconcerned as she was passing urine and stools. My baby nursed herself to sleep, and she seemed content for most of that first week. On the sixth day, my breasts felt empty, and on the seventh day, the crying started.
She was attached to me every minute. Thank goodness for my husband taking some time off to stay home and care for Aidan, because I did not have one moment when Isabella was not latched on. She was hungry, and she was not happy.
We reached out for breastfeeding support. Our latch was still perfect, but after weighing Isabella a few times after nursing, we found that little to no milk was being transferred. She’d lost close to 14 percent of her birth weight. I couldn’t pump a drop, and the fullness I had experienced shortly after birth was gone. Tearfully, reality set in that supplementation was inevitable.
I tried all of the supplements, teas, and herbs to try to increase my milk supply, unsuccessfully. I went to an endocrinologist to check my hormone levels. I received a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Some mothers, especially those who noted no breast growth during pregnancy, may have inadequate mammary tissue, which was the case for me. I have been working with lactation specialists, along with my doctor, and taking medication. I got a good pump and began working on increasing my supply, despite the diagnosis.
My supply has gone up, but only slightly. It’s minimal, but still more than before.
Isabella Rose is now 12 weeks old. She still latches on like a pro. She refuses the breast in the late evening, almost knowing intuitively that this is when my breasts have the least amount of milk in them. I pump instead. Nearly every feeding is followed by a bottle. Nursing is her appetizer, and her bottle is her main course for most feedings. Ultimately, we have been combo feeding from here on out.
We have found one feeding when I can supply enough milk for her: the first nursing session in the morning. She nurses calmly, happily, on both sides, and it is enough. I know that as she grows, my morning supply may have to be supplemented as well, but for now, it is enough.
I’ve redefined what breastfeeding means to me. It’s personally tailored to each baby. Every nursing relationship is different–no two are alike. Many are cut short, accompanied by tears, while others can go on for years without a hitch. Ours, though supplemented, is continuing!
Even when she takes a bottle, her last suckles are at the breast. Whether there’s any milk there or not, it brings her the peace she needs to sleep. I’m so grateful for that gift I’m able to make, however small it may be. This is mothering; doing everything I can to give her what’s best, no matter what.
I will continue to give her what I can at the breast and pump after every nursing session, until the day that signals the end. What that signal will be, we have yet to find out. But for now, this is how it is. It’s bittersweet and far from perfect, a little sad, but also wonderful. Thank you La Leche League. I could not have done it without you.
Send your nursing and parenting stories to Kylie at [email protected]
Resources:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Last Updated: March 24, 2026 by Yael Breimer
Breastfeeding with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
By Anna E.
Editor’s Note: The story in this week’s blog post comes from New Beginnings, Issue 3, 2010, when it was in magazine form. La Leche League News, a bimonthly LLLI publication for members, started in 1958. The name was changed to New Beginnings in 1985. New Beginnings was acquired by La Leche League USA in 2010 and continued to be published as a magazine until 2014, when it was converted to its current weekly blog format at www.lllusa.org/blog/
When my son was almost a year old, I became pregnant again. I quickly called my local La Leche League Leaders and started attending meetings. Even after a miscarriage, I continued attending the meetings. I needed and wanted all the information I could get. I read all the breastfeeding books I could find. I got the chance to educate my husband during this time as well and, two years later, armed with knowledge, resources, and an unfailing support system, I became pregnant again.
The hospital staff at my delivery was helpful and supportive in my decision to breastfeed and room in. After being separated briefly after birth, Isabella Rose and I shared a 40-minute, blissful first nursing session. I will remember it forever. She latched on like a pro, and I marveled at her perfection. We nursed round the clock, on demand and exclusively from that moment forward. And though my baby slowly lost a bit of weight, the hospital staff seemed unconcerned as she was passing urine and stools. My baby nursed herself to sleep, and she seemed content for most of that first week. On the sixth day, my breasts felt empty, and on the seventh day, the crying started.
She was attached to me every minute. Thank goodness for my husband taking some time off to stay home and care for Aidan, because I did not have one moment when Isabella was not latched on. She was hungry, and she was not happy.
We reached out for breastfeeding support. Our latch was still perfect, but after weighing Isabella a few times after nursing, we found that little to no milk was being transferred. She’d lost close to 14 percent of her birth weight. I couldn’t pump a drop, and the fullness I had experienced shortly after birth was gone. Tearfully, reality set in that supplementation was inevitable.
I tried all of the supplements, teas, and herbs to try to increase my milk supply, unsuccessfully. I went to an endocrinologist to check my hormone levels. I received a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Some mothers, especially those who noted no breast growth during pregnancy, may have inadequate mammary tissue, which was the case for me. I have been working with lactation specialists, along with my doctor, and taking medication. I got a good pump and began working on increasing my supply, despite the diagnosis.
My supply has gone up, but only slightly. It’s minimal, but still more than before.
Isabella Rose is now 12 weeks old. She still latches on like a pro. She refuses the breast in the late evening, almost knowing intuitively that this is when my breasts have the least amount of milk in them. I pump instead. Nearly every feeding is followed by a bottle. Nursing is her appetizer, and her bottle is her main course for most feedings. Ultimately, we have been combo feeding from here on out.
We have found one feeding when I can supply enough milk for her: the first nursing session in the morning. She nurses calmly, happily, on both sides, and it is enough. I know that as she grows, my morning supply may have to be supplemented as well, but for now, it is enough.
I’ve redefined what breastfeeding means to me. It’s personally tailored to each baby. Every nursing relationship is different–no two are alike. Many are cut short, accompanied by tears, while others can go on for years without a hitch. Ours, though supplemented, is continuing!
Even when she takes a bottle, her last suckles are at the breast. Whether there’s any milk there or not, it brings her the peace she needs to sleep. I’m so grateful for that gift I’m able to make, however small it may be. This is mothering; doing everything I can to give her what’s best, no matter what.
I will continue to give her what I can at the breast and pump after every nursing session, until the day that signals the end. What that signal will be, we have yet to find out. But for now, this is how it is. It’s bittersweet and far from perfect, a little sad, but also wonderful. Thank you La Leche League. I could not have done it without you.
Send your nursing and parenting stories to Kylie at [email protected]
Resources:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
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Category: Breastfeeding and Health Conditions, Grateful For LLL USA, Low Milk Supply, Pumping
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