Does hypothyroidism cause any breastfeeding problems?
The likelihood is, if you are hypothyroid, and taking the proper dose of thyroid hormone replacement, you will be able to nurse your baby. However, La Leche League’s Breastfeeding Answer Book says, “Women with a history of thyroid problems may need to be retested if their nursing baby is slow in gaining weight, as changes in metabolism can affect milk production.” Some women who are hypothyroid, myself included, appear to have problems with milk supply. I my case, I was very much in favor of breastfeeding my daughter, and prior to her birth, I had read several books, gone to a La Leche meeting, had some advance training from my doula (birth attendant), and after Julia was born, had several sessions with the hospital’s lactation consultant. I felt thoroughly prepared to nurse my daughter, and after she was born, all the experts assured me that she had latched on fine and we were doing well. After a week, however, she hadn’t had many wet or dirty diapers, and had lost weight. I was not b
