Does being thin make it harder to breastfeed?

11 replies

kitpuss · 23/06/2010 13:03

I have a friend who struggled to "make enough milk" (her words) to feed her first child. She is pregnant with her second and is already worrying about being too thin to make enough milk.

She blames her low weight for not having enough fat to make milk. Is this something that can happen? I have never heard of it before so didn't want to agree with her or disagree.

I really want to help her try to succeed this time, it seems such a shame that she is almost setting herself up to fail, but I can see why she would be worried like she is having had such a hard time last time.

By the way, I am not trying to force her to breastfeed if anyone is thinking of saying so - she was in tears today at the thought of not being able to to it again, it is something she wants for herself.

OP posts:

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 23/06/2010 13:05

No! Malnourished women in 3rd world countries have been shown to produce nutritious plentiful breast milk.

cleanandclothed · 23/06/2010 13:09

No It did make me very hungry though, and I found it odd to want to eat much more than normal. Have since got used to that and now feed DS just so I can eat extra ice cream!!

Seriously, I am small and slight, no bust to speak of, and although DS started off very skinny we managed fine, and at 6 months he was a lovely chubby baby, having had just breastmilk, and I was so proud!

Bramshott · 23/06/2010 13:17

I have successfully bf twice and at my smallest (when DD2 was feeding for England!) weighed 7.5 stone.

pinkdaisies · 23/06/2010 13:18

Same here. I'm quite petite with very little fat on me and was a bit concerned about the whole breastfeeding thing because of that. 7 months in, and still bfing 7 month DS who has the most enormous thighs. Really not a problem though i agree it makes me VERY hungry and thirsty! Truly eating for two now!

I did start weaning early, at 5 months (just baby rice etc) but think I probably would have done anyway as he is just a hungry boy even on 3 solid meals a day.

CMOTdibbler · 23/06/2010 13:23

No, you don't need body fat to make milk. I was recently reading a book about the Russian Gulags, and there was a bit about womens work camps - these women were forced to cut trees down by hand, haul lumber etc in extreme cold, badly dressed, and on very low rations. Yet their babies/toddlers thrived until they were 2 and the women were made to stop breastfeeding them

minipie · 23/06/2010 13:26

Being thin shouldn't matter. But does she eat enough? If she's on a restricted diet (i.e. low fat etc) then she might not have the calories.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 23/06/2010 13:45

I thought even a restricted diet didn't affect milk supply?

NotQuiteCockney · 23/06/2010 13:59

A mother really needs to be starving before her milk is affected. Your body prioritises the baby.

The thing is, many (most?) women who stop breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to, do so because they believe they are not making enough milk. For nearly all of these women, either they were making enough milk, or there were latch problems which caused the supply problems, iyswim ...

chegggersplayspop · 23/06/2010 14:04

I am probably underweight for my height despite eating like a horse. I am tandem feeding a 3yo and a 6 month baby so I would say it's not a problem being thin.

I think some people are surprised just how often they feed at the start as they stimulate milk supply. It may feel like you don't have enough milk even tho you have plenty.

pookamoo · 23/06/2010 14:10

See if your friend can go along to a breastfeeding support group (you can go too for moral support) and chat to a bf counsellor or peer supporters about it, it should help to air some of her concerns. Do you know if there is one near you? The NCT can probably put you in touch with someone.

BabyGiraffes · 23/06/2010 22:34

No idea if due to being tall and skinny with small bust, but yes, I failed to manage to breastfeed twice due to a low milk supply and despite being really motivated. With my second, all went well for 10 days until she got very unsettled and very grumpy and lost weight. And no, there was nothing on earth that was going to increase my milk supply and yes, she was latching on extremely well. Tell your friend please to not beat herself up too much if bf does not work! Not everyone can breastfeed exclusively and it is no failure as a mum to go for mixed feeds or formula!! Much more important to enjoy your baby whatever means of feeding.

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