Looking to Breastfeed My Second Child but Have a Concern

Hi A.,

I have searched all over the web looking for anything that would say you can't breastfeed if you are lactose intolerant and I can't find anything. As far as I know there should be no effect. Many babies will do better if their mother's don't have dairy anyway - so if anything, your lactose intolerance should make it easier for your baby, not harder. My mother was lactose intolerant and she breastfed all 3 of us.

Below are some links to articles and websites that you may find helpful for breastfeeding information:

1) www.Kellymom.com - this is a great website - I use it whenever I have a breastfeeding question.
2) Here is a link to an article that talks about the benefits your baby gets when you breastfeed. It gives benefits for each stage of the way. So even if you only breastfeed for a short time, you can still see the benefits your baby will get. I gave this article to a friend of mine who had a difficult time breastfeeding her 1st baby and when having baby #2 wasn't sure if she even wanted to try. Well because of this article, she tried and her baby is now 6 months old and still breastfeeding. <http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/breastvbottle/wean.h...;
3) This is an article that I wrote based on my own experiences getting started with breastfeeding. Hopefully some of the tips in it will help you to be successful: <http://www.mothersboutique.com/brtifornewmo.html&gt;
4) This is an article that I wrote about pumping and going back to work. The advice in it is great for any mom who uses a breastpump - even if she isn't working outside of the home. Take a look: <http://www.mothersboutique.com/woandbrtifor.html&gt;

Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions. I would love to help you be successful with breastfeeding!

J.

A Mother's Boutique
Breastfeeding clothing, nursing bras, breastpumps, slings and accessories.
MamaSource members save 10% off their first order (excluding breastpumps) using promo code MAMASOUCE.
<http://www.mothersboutique.com&gt;

1 mom found this helpful

My midwife called "what to expect" "what to expect when everything goes wrong". :) You don't need to drink milk to make milk, that's an old wives' tale. But do call a lactation consultant or the La Leche league if you're concerned, and good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Ugh. "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

When I became pregnant for the first time, that was the first book I went out and bought, because I've seen it *everywhere*.

By the end of the first night of reading it, I was in tears. I spoke with two different midwives, a couple nurses and a doctor, and all of them recommended NOT reading this book, as it is all "gloom and doom" for the most part and has a reputation for causing distress.

I have a book about breastfeeding that didn't mention the lactose intolerance thing, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I would definitely wait and ask your doctor, or, even better, get in touch with the La Leche League or a breastfeeding coach.

Hope that helps, sorry I don't have a definitive answer.

Hi A., I am a 56-year old mother of 3 adult children who breastfed everyone of them, and I have been lactose intolerant all my life. I am not sure why they're now saying that women who are lactose intolerant can't breast feed, but if they're worried about your calcium levels, do what I do and eat lots of leafy greens and other fresh wonderful sources of calcium!

Back in my day, we breastfed our kids until they walked, and then began the weaning process. I have to say, remember to nurse on both sides at every feeding and to drink lots of water. I still carry that glass of water around with me now, and my daughter is 27 years old. Old habits are hard to break!

Also, while I am not a drinker of alchohol socially, I used to have a small bottle of heavy stout (Guinnes, since our family is Irish) in the afternoon, one or two afternoons per week. This kept my milk supply very rich and I even donated milk to our local hospital for a baby somewhere in New England who could not drink formula, and his mother had no milk.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy breastfeeding your son. If you have any questions or concerns, I am sure that there are other moms on here who are breastfeeding advocates, and remember to look up your local La Leche League. I enjoyed the meetings throughout my children's babyhoods.
J.

Plese read "So that's what these are for". I not have the exact title, but you should be able to find it with that information. I don't think being lactose intolerant should affect that. I could be wrong, but read that book. I recommend it all my friends. Good luck. Also you might want to call a lat. consultant.

Jen

I am extremely lactose intolerant and I breast fed all three of mine. Neither I nor they had any problems. I think it has to be a case by case situation. I never ever drink milk, but can eat some cheeses and yogurt. Still, you can get everything you need from elsewhere. I never had a problem with my own nutrition and amount of milk. Breastfeeding is so good for them (their immune system, many believe it fights against allergies, best nutrition, definitely the easiest in the middle of the night). Just remember that your milk has to come in and both you and your baby have to learn how to breast feed. It's definitely worth the effort so don't give up right away. I say go for it, for sure.

Oh gawd, don't go by ANY breastfeeding advice from the "What to expect" books -- it's notoriously bad and inaccurate! I would contact your local La Leche League and maybe attend a meeting before you deliver.

Also, this message board on IVillage was invaluable to me when I had problems early on, and now we're going on 2 years BFing! GREAT LUCK to you!

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppbreastfeed

Hi A.,
First thing I would do is toss that book into the fireplace. As a natural childbirth educator, doula and now homebirth Midwife, I have seen the damage this stupid book has done to undermine a woman's confidence in what her body was made to do. Get yourself in touch with La Leche League, Nursing Mothers or a lactation consultant and set yourself up with a support system of other mothers who nurse so if there is a problem you are prepared with someone to help you. My own sister is severely lactose intolerant and she is the biggest milk producer I have ever seen! Don't stress about something that may not even be a problem.
Peace of mind to you,
L. S, Mother to 3 Breastfeed babies now 13,11&5

check out kellymom.com it is a great website for breastfeeding moms and moms to be.

I am also lactose intolerant and have successfully breastfed 2 children. My best advice is to relax when you are brestfeeding, if you are tense the baby will be to. Watch what you eat. With my first I had no idea that food affected your milk, I was unable to eat alot of food becuase they made the baby gassy. Before your baby is born, buy mylicon. A really tiny dose (I think 0.3ml) will take care of any belly aches from your milk. Also, if you are planning to breastfeed for awhile and are going back to work buy a good pump. I first rented on at a medical supply place to make sure I liked it and then bought one.
Good luck!

You don't have anything to worry about! My oldest has severe allergies to dairy and eggs, so we don't keep any of it in our house. I eat and cook with Soy Milk, we have soy yogurt, soy cream cheese. I am still nursing my 7 month old and we are both healthy as can be! Just keep taking those pre-natal vitamins and maybe have to take extra calcium.

The only way to know if you can breast feed is to try! If you can't, or if anything is "wrong" with the milk, your baby won't take it and no harm done. You won't hurt the baby or yourself. I feel it is most likely that you will be able to-it's nature's way! Don't go into it thinking you can't. Just act as if you are going to, and take it from there. I had an excellent lactation consultant at Evangelcal hosptial who got me through some ROUGH challenges breastfeeding-she knew everything and could answer ANY question. Try to find an expert in your network-ask your doctor-good luck!

I did some quick research and didn't find anything about a lactose intolerant Mom not being able to breastfeed. You don't need to drink milk in order to make milk. I am a HUGE advocate of breastfeeding, I say GO FOR IT! Don't let anything scare you from giving it a go.

Breastfeeding is natural but that doesn't always mean easy. It can take some time getting used to it and for both of you to get good at it. Too many Moms give up early, IMHO, or they are fed bad advice by freinds/docs/nurses. Do your own research, take classes, talk to other breastfeeding Moms, and find a local LaLecheLeague or breastfeeding support group.

Heck, e-mail me if you want!

There are mother-to-mother forums on the LLL website that are very helpful.

I wish you the best of luck with breastfeeding. I breastfed Allen for a whole year - even after going back to work (in an operating room) in 8 weeks.

YOU CAN DO IT! :)

J.

Hi, A.! Congratulations both on your new baby and your decision to breastfeed!

I have nursed my 3 bio children (1st son for 12 mos., 2nd son for almost 36 mos., 3rd son is 20 mos. old and still nursing strong) and every single one of THEM was lactose intolerant! I had to avoid ALL dairy for at least the first 6 months with each of them. Honestly, it never presented any kind of problem and I never heard such a thing as being unable to nurse due to inability to eat dairy products. What I did have to do, though, was make sure I kept taking my vitamins and supplement extra calcium (just for myself, not necessarily them).

I'm glad you asked here and are not basing your decision solely on the book. I lived & died by the WTEWYE booke when pregnant with my first b/c it was the best source of information I had (back in 1994), but now there are so many other places to find information it's almost overwhelming!

Best of luck with nursing - I'm sure you'll do a great job!! (and remember to get in touch with your local LLL even before the baby is born - they can really help you out!)

I was allergic to dairy as a baby and am lactose intolerant now. I am currently nursing my third baby. She's 7 months old and also had issues at first when I had dairy foods. She seems to have grown out of that already. I cut out dairy foods, as a nursing mother, until my kids were 6 months old and then started adding some back. My boys have no problem with milk products now and I'm hoping my daughter has the same when she turns a year old and goes to cow or goat milk. In my experience, I'd say your book is wrong. Each nursing mother and child is different. If you really want it, try it and give it your best. If in the end, it doesn't work for you and your baby, do what's best for both of you and ignore "helpful articles."

I've never heard of this. My first child was allergic to milk products, so while I was breastfeeding her I couldn't eat any dairy products at all, and things worked out just fine.

A.,

I'm a mom of three children and I've nursed them all. I breastfed my oldest for the longest, 14 months. I'm also lactose intolerant and I had no problems nursing my children. Just watch your diet. Two of my children developed a milk allergy, yet I still continued to nurse them. I'm just very careful about my diet. I've never heard of lactose intolerant women being unable to nurse and I know of a few of them. I loved breastfeeding my children, it's painful and a lot of work in the early weeks but once you get through it, you will come to love the convenience of it and the closeness you will share with your baby.

Go for it! Good luck.

What to Expect is the one book that I don't recommend. Check out www.drjacknewman.com. He is a Canadian pediatrician and breastfeeding expert with a wealth of practical and useful information.

I read over some of the responses you got. I notice no one I read from mentioned lactose-free milk. Lactaid, Dairy Ease, sometimes even a store brand. Found in grocery stores. A little more expensive, but I do it anyway. Or are you allergic to dairy all together?

Not sure if I am lactose intolerant or not...just know that I do better eating little dairy and drinking soya milk. Both my babies have preferred it when I have drank soya milk while breastfeeding. I don't know what the article you read said, but I think that drinking water and eating a healthy diet (with an extra 300-500 calories a day) is all you need to do to breastfeed. I have had very little or know milk since my baby was born 5 months ago. Oh, I would also recommend continuing to take your prenatal vitamins during breastfeeding.

I would think this is not necessarily true for everyone, but if you want, I can give you a phone number to talk to a lactation counselor from the Ambler Area Nursing Mothers group (totally free). Let me know if you're interested.

I breast-fed both children, including my son who had severe food allergies, so I could not drink milk or eat eggs, among other things. I have also since then found that I can't tolerate milk. There was never an issue about my tolerances having any impact on my ability to breast feed. In fact, because his diet was so limited, he nursed until he was over two years old. Check with your pediatrician or the local LaLeche League chapter; they would have the most current and correct info.

I am cant do dairy at all and I breastfead both. You just need to make sure to eat lots of dark green leafy veggies to make sure you are getting calcium. Which happens to be the best source anyways. YOU CAN DO IT!!! And you will be so glad you did it is the most awesome time you will spend with your child. My best memories are of late at night while all is quiet. sitting inthe moon light look at that wonderful face, I have never felt so connected to another person as I did to my babies at those times. And I have wonderful relationships with both my kids. You will be fine and you are making the choices to do what is best for your child. Dont let out dated bunk scare you away. Here is a wonderful site that was sent to me when I had some issues.

http://www.kellymom.com/index.html

Best Biggest Blessings to you and yours

Trish

http://www.soystache.com/calcium.htm

You should read some of the articles on this page. Also, check out www.milksucks.com. You may not agree with everything that Peta has to say but there seems to be alot of evidence to back it up.

I breastfed my son for a full year with no problems and I am lactose intolerant. I didn't realize it until a few years ago. I have read that there are alot of people out there that are lactose intolerant but don't realize it because they are just suffering with the symptoms. I had them my whole life and thought they were normal. Bottom line, it is absolutely possible to breastfeed and be lactose intolerant.

I tried to breastfeed my first set of kids. Didn't happen. Then with my sec i was able to. I to have trouble with milk. So i just found other ways to drink the milk and make sure that i had the right amount of dairy a day. The breast milk is the best way to go. They are looking for the good stuff in the milk. Best of luck and good for you wanting to breast feed.

What to Expect When You're Expecting is the WORST pregnancy book to read. I can't believe it's the number one seller. Get better advice for everything you read in there. I read it when I was pregnant and hated because the information in it was not in depth at all and was often different from my doctor's advice. I also read The Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears and it is much better.

I am lactose intolerant and breastfed all of my four children. Never heard of the possibililty of there being a problem with this. Take heart and consult the lactation experts.

I was involved with the La Leche League before and while nursing my daughter. This is a great group of wmoen who get together and help each other through breast feeding problems, give advice, offer support and much more! From when I was going to meetings, the only things I remember that could prevent you from nursing would be if your milk glands were damaged or if you were undergoing medical treament that could not be stopped (some cancer medications and such). You might want to check out their site (www.lalecheleague.org)and find a group near you to ask. These women were a tremendous help to me and I don't think I could have done it without their support.

I am a bit confused why if you are lactose intolerant there would be the suggestion that you can't BF. You can certainly suppliment your calcium and protein with a soy milk. I am missing all large and some small intestines and have difficulty getting all the things I need from my diet sometimes -- I have found soy to be a great high powered natural solution. I also make sure that I am drinkin "WHOLE Soybean" Soymilk and organic. I think Natures Organic is the brand I buy at the Food Coop. Since I have made the switch my overall feelings of well being has improved as I am meeting some very important needs.

I think if you choose carefully how you feed yourself, your diet will be very sustaining and so much better than any formula you could give.
Good Luck!
MB -- mom to three nursed children.
eta: I see your in Philly -- April 19th is the Pittsburgh Regional LaLecheLeague Conference near the old airport. I am an exhibitor there for a few years now and I can tell you it is a wonderful supportive event that may be worth the day trip or see when Philly is hosting theirs.

I am lactose intolerant and had no problems breastfeeding my son. Eat what you normally eat/drink, your body will produce the milk for your baby and you will do just fine!
Breast feeding can be challenging, I highly recommend taking a course on breastfeeding..... good luck

A., I would tend to agree w/ Lori S. That book is awful as it is largely negative and promotes a medical/surgical approach to many "normal" issues. I know several lactose-intolerant women who have successfully breastfed. It seems as though many women have trouble with breastfeeding, as I did, but with some perseverance, ability to look outside the box, and a social network of support (i.e. lactation consultant/doula/midwife), I really think it is the norm to be able to breastfeed and that there are only a very small number of women who are "unable" to do it. The efforts you make will be worth it once you see the bonding that evolves from nursing your child. Good luck!

First of all, let me tell you that my OB/GYN practice (all 7 doctors) and two Lamaze coaches all have told me that there are so many errors (some of them potentially dangerous) in "What to Expect" that you shouldn't even give it away - it should be burned. So, I would suggest that you take everything in it with a grain of salt.

That said, I am lactose intolerant and my 10 month old daughter has been breast fed VERY successfully . It is ABSOLUTELY untrue that you can't breast feed if you are lactose intolerant. In fact, some babies get gassy if Mom ingests too much dairy, and cutting out milk products is one of the first things a good pediatrician will suggest if you have a fussy or colicky baby.

When McKenna was small, I found that I could eat small amounts of dairy without it bothering her as long as I took at least 3 Lactaid tablets, but I had to be very careful.

Please consider using another resource for info - there is no point nor is it good for you or your baby to get upset or stressed by an inaccurate book. (You and Your Baby Pregnancy by Laura Riley was recommended by all my docs and Lamaze coaches.)

C.