Hi, Pardee,
I can answer, based not only on what I have seen in many of my clients, but
my own experience. As well as what my OBGYN, Pediatrician (who also has
migraines) and Neurologist has to say.
I have severe, chronic migraine, they get worse with pregnancy, take nearly a
year to stabilize to "normal" (meaning I can nearly control them with meds)
after a giving birth, and have a nasty breakthrough with virtually every
menstrual cycle (despite being in some Perimenopause.)
I have never had, myself any problems with supply, nor have I seen supply
problems in any of my clients with migraine. When a client has a migraine, she
may be groggy, in severe pain, nauseous, light sensitive, olfactorily sensitive,
not feel like moving, have body aches etc, BUT, even in the throes of the
worst migraine, I could at least lie down, latch a baby on, and nurse. (It was
helpful if someone was around, AFTER they were finished nursing and awake, if
they were toddling, but that wasn't always the case, which is why the Good
Lord invented videos, turned on low volume, and Fioracet among other
meds.... ;) ) I've also chased toddlers around, with an ice pack attached to
my head, begging them TO nurse, so we could just lie down.
But, I have not seen any connection to low supply.
I would investigate if she is maybe not nursing when she has a migraine, which
could effect her supply (who wants to use, much less sit up an LISTEN TO a
pump while suffering pain?)
How often are her migraines? What is she using to control them? Does she
have low supply all the time, or only when she is having a migraine?
I would investigate all other reasons why supply is low in women. I don't think
that migraine has any effect on supply. As mine are chronic, my children would
have been in serious trouble, yet I never saw any problem. Either when I used
meds or not. (In fact, when I used Triptan drugs my supply actually increased,
but, these do not work for my pain, so I discontinued use of them.)
I would focus on other aspect of her breastfeeding. Is she skipping feedings?
Is she using bottles when she is in pain? IMO, lying down to nurse is actually
much easier than pumping, and actually can supply a little endorphin rush,
which helps a little, just a little, but some mothers think that it will be "too
much" and if they have a MIL or sister or even husband waiting with baited
breath to get a "chance" to "help feed the baby so she can rest" it could be
the root of the problem.
Also, are they truly migraines? Some women with low thyroid have severe
headaches, this could cause a supply problem, and good doctors ALWAYS
check all possible thyroid issues before arriving on a migraine diagnosis.
Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLLL
Private Practice
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