.png)
Milky Adventure
Hormonal disorders, contraindications, and benefits of breastfeeding
In episode 2, Lauriane Emond helps identify issues that can disrupt breastfeeding, debunks common myths, and highlights the true benefits of breast milk.
Watch the sequel
- 🎬 Access to 100% of the videos
- 🔬 Scientific recommendations
- ✅ Concrete and actionable advice
- 💌 Mutual aid community
- 🎓 Expert and qualified health professional
- 📆 Without commitment
€37 unlimited access
Summary
🔊 This program is an information program by a trained professional. This is generic advice and is not a personalized diagnosis. In all cases, we recommend that you be followed by a gynecologist and/or a midwife for individualized follow-up.
What you will learn in this episode
In this episode, Lauriane Emond helps you identify what can disrupt the initiation of breastfeeding, distinguish true contraindications from misconceptions, and understand the immune benefits of breast milk. This episode debunks many preconceived notions.
- Hormonal disorders that can influence breastfeeding (PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes)
- How to recognize mammary hypoplasia
- Why flat or inverted nipples do not prevent breastfeeding
- The only 4 true contraindications to breastfeeding
- The immune benefits of breast milk for the baby
💡 Key figures
Globally, universal breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 maternal deaths each year, given its significant impact on health and reduction of infant morbidity.
Source: Victora CG et al., « Breastfeeding in the 21st century », The Lancet, 2016.
___
Mammary hypoplasia is estimated to affect less than 5% of women, but this figure, from an older study, is likely underestimated today, especially considering exposure to endocrine disruptors.
What can disrupt the initiation of breastfeeding
Many factors can delay or inhibit milk production, and they are largely hormonal. For breastfeeding to work well, a fluid hormonal balance is necessary. The main disorders to monitor are PCOS, endometriosis, mammary hypoplasia, but also diabetes (linked to insulin regulation) and obesity.
Note: having PCOS or endometriosis does not mean that breastfeeding will be complicated. These are hormonal conditions with different fluctuations, and since hormones play a major role in breastfeeding, this can sometimes complicate matters. Hence the benefit of prenatal planning to understand one's individual situation.
Recognizing the physical signs to watch for
Mammary hypoplasia refers to a lack of mammary glands, meaning fewer alveoli and less capacity to store milk. Alveoli are the cells that fill with milk (like broccoli florets), and thanks to oxytocin, they contract to eject milk towards the nipple.
Several signs might suggest consulting a professional: significant breast asymmetry, a large gap between the two breasts (4 to 5 cm), breasts that point outwards with nipples facing sideways, or more masculine features and noticeable body hair (possible signs of a hormonal imbalance). None of these signs are universal or definitive; they simply warrant vigilance.
Conversely, a regular hormonal rhythm since puberty, well-rounded breasts on the sides (regardless of volume), and an increase in size during pregnancy are rather reassuring signs.
Nipple Concerns
Flat nipples (without protrusion) or inverted/umbilicated nipples (turned inwards) might also warrant a consultation. But Lauriane is adamant: having unusual nipples does not prevent breastfeeding. Many mothers arrive believing they won't be able to breastfeed because of this, often due to family beliefs. Breastfeeding is rife with misconceptions. It's better to trust reliable sources and what your body is capable of.
True Contraindications
They are very few. There are only four true contraindications to breastfeeding:
- Untreated HIV in the mother (in developed countries, when the mother is treated, breastfeeding is possible)
- Active tuberculosis (it's the air, not the milk, that poses a problem)
- Infant galactosemia, a disease that prevents the baby from assimilating a component of milk
- Intensive cancer treatments: radiotherapy and chemotherapy
However, a CT scan, MRI, injection, or a visit to the dentist do not require stopping breastfeeding. The latest recommendations confirm this. To check a medication's compatibility, the reference websites are CRAT (Lecrat) and e-lactancia.
The Immune Benefits of Breast Milk
Breast milk is packed with living cells that support the baby's immunity. That's why you shouldn't stop breastfeeding when you're sick: the baby is already exposed to the germ, and the milk provides the specific antibodies to fight it. Breastfeeding significantly reduces hospitalizations, ENT illnesses, gastroenteritis, ear infections, and bronchiolitis, or alleviates their symptoms.
🔎 Useful definitions
Mammary Hypoplasia : insufficient development of the mammary glands, leading to fewer alveoli and thus a reduced milk production capacity. It can be suspected based on certain physical signs, but it doesn't necessarily prevent breastfeeding.
___
Inverted nipples (or invaginated) : nipples turned inward, which may or may not protrude with stimulation. They do not prevent breastfeeding: solutions are available.
___
Galactosemia : a rare genetic disease in babies that prevents them from processing a component of breast milk. It is one of the few true contraindications to breastfeeding.
🎯 Practical actions
- If you have PCOS, endometriosis, or diabetes, pay attention to any physical signs in your breasts and seek prenatal support if you have any concerns.
- Never give up on breastfeeding due to hypoplasia, flat or inverted nipples, or a family belief
- Approximately 95% of women can breastfeed
- Consult a trained professional to develop your plan
- Remember the only 4 true contraindications:
- Untreated HIV,
- Active tuberculosis,
- Infant galactosemia,
- Cancer treatment (chemo/radiotherapy).
- Do not necessarily stop breastfeeding for a CT scan, MRI, injection, or dental procedure: this is no longer recommended
- To check a medication's compatibility with breastfeeding, consult CRAT (Lecrat) or e-lactancia, or ask a trained professional
- Do not stop breastfeeding when you or your baby are sick: breast milk, on the contrary, provides antibodies that help heal, and that's the beauty of life!
.png)
Summary
🔊 This program is an information program by a trained professional. This is generic advice and is not a personalized diagnosis. In all cases, we recommend that you be followed by a gynecologist and/or a midwife for individualized follow-up.
_____
⭐ The Milky Adventure series is made possible thanks to the participation of Fizimed, a French company that develops innovative solutions for women's health, such as their Emy Pump portable breast pump.
What you will learn in this episode
In this episode, Lauriane Emond helps you identify what can disrupt the initiation of breastfeeding, distinguish true contraindications from misconceptions, and understand the immune benefits of breast milk. This episode debunks many preconceived notions.
- Hormonal disorders that can influence breastfeeding (PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes)
- How to recognize mammary hypoplasia
- Why flat or inverted nipples do not prevent breastfeeding
- The only 4 true contraindications to breastfeeding
- The immune benefits of breast milk for the baby
💡 Key figures
Globally, universal breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 child deaths and 20,000 maternal deaths each year, given its significant impact on health and reduction of infant morbidity.
Source: Victora CG et al., « Breastfeeding in the 21st century », The Lancet, 2016.
___
Mammary hypoplasia is estimated to affect less than 5% of women, but this figure, from an older study, is likely underestimated today, especially considering exposure to endocrine disruptors.
What can disrupt the initiation of breastfeeding
Many factors can delay or inhibit milk production, and they are largely hormonal. For breastfeeding to work well, a fluid hormonal balance is necessary. The main disorders to monitor are PCOS, endometriosis, mammary hypoplasia, but also diabetes (linked to insulin regulation) and obesity.
Note: having PCOS or endometriosis does not mean that breastfeeding will be complicated. These are hormonal conditions with different fluctuations, and since hormones play a major role in breastfeeding, this can sometimes complicate matters. Hence the benefit of prenatal planning to understand one's individual situation.
Recognizing the physical signs to watch for
Mammary hypoplasia refers to a lack of mammary glands, meaning fewer alveoli and less capacity to store milk. Alveoli are the cells that fill with milk (like broccoli florets), and thanks to oxytocin, they contract to eject milk towards the nipple.
Several signs might suggest consulting a professional: significant breast asymmetry, a large gap between the two breasts (4 to 5 cm), breasts that point outwards with nipples facing sideways, or more masculine features and noticeable body hair (possible signs of a hormonal imbalance). None of these signs are universal or definitive; they simply warrant vigilance.
Conversely, a regular hormonal rhythm since puberty, well-rounded breasts on the sides (regardless of volume), and an increase in size during pregnancy are rather reassuring signs.
Nipple Concerns
Flat nipples (without protrusion) or inverted/umbilicated nipples (turned inwards) might also warrant a consultation. But Lauriane is adamant: having unusual nipples does not prevent breastfeeding. Many mothers arrive believing they won't be able to breastfeed because of this, often due to family beliefs. Breastfeeding is rife with misconceptions. It's better to trust reliable sources and what your body is capable of.
True Contraindications
They are very few. There are only four true contraindications to breastfeeding:
- Untreated HIV in the mother (in developed countries, when the mother is treated, breastfeeding is possible)
- Active tuberculosis (it's the air, not the milk, that poses a problem)
- Infant galactosemia, a disease that prevents the baby from assimilating a component of milk
- Intensive cancer treatments: radiotherapy and chemotherapy
However, a CT scan, MRI, injection, or a visit to the dentist do not require stopping breastfeeding. The latest recommendations confirm this. To check a medication's compatibility, the reference websites are CRAT (Lecrat) and e-lactancia.
The Immune Benefits of Breast Milk
Breast milk is packed with living cells that support the baby's immunity. That's why you shouldn't stop breastfeeding when you're sick: the baby is already exposed to the germ, and the milk provides the specific antibodies to fight it. Breastfeeding significantly reduces hospitalizations, ENT illnesses, gastroenteritis, ear infections, and bronchiolitis, or alleviates their symptoms.
🎯 Concrete actions
- If you have PCOS, endometriosis, or diabetes, pay attention to any physical signs in your breasts and seek prenatal support if you have any concerns.
- Never give up on breastfeeding due to hypoplasia, flat or inverted nipples, or a family belief
- Approximately 95% of women can breastfeed
- Consult a trained professional to develop your plan
- Remember the only 4 true contraindications:
- Untreated HIV,
- Active tuberculosis,
- Infant galactosemia,
- Cancer treatment (chemo/radiotherapy).
- Do not necessarily stop breastfeeding for a CT scan, MRI, injection, or dental procedure: this is no longer recommended
- To check a medication's compatibility with breastfeeding, consult CRAT (Lecrat) or e-lactancia, or ask a trained professional
- Do not stop breastfeeding when you or your baby are sick: breast milk, on the contrary, provides antibodies that help heal, and that's the beauty of life!
.png)
