My baby is now 5 months, and I, too, am pumping exclusively to feed her. I had a similar issue with terrible damage to be breasts - with no improvement even with multiple visits to the lactation consultant.
I have not been feeling well, and I chalked it up to taking care of two kids and not sleeping enough, etc. However, my mother-in-law has diabetes and when I said I felt very odd about 30 minutes after breakfast, she checked my glucose level. It was 24! I'm going to the doctor in 2 days to get checked out, but do you have any advice as to what may be happening?
Hi Jennifer,
From your comment, I'm going to assume that you don't have diabetes. Low blood sugar is also known as hypoglycemia and many people are "hypoglycemic" meaning that their body produces an excess of insulin and they have to eat regularly to keep their blood sugar up.
24 is a very low blood sugar! I'd imagine that breastfeeding would drop everyone's blood sugar, whether they have diabetes or not. If I were you, I'd make sure to eat a snack before or during the time you're pumping. Or, plan your meal times to match up more regularly with your pumping sessions.
Feel free to send me a message if you'd like. I hope the doctor has some answers for you!
Kelsey
Oh, thank God. I was really worried. My blood sugar hit also an extreme low today (33), and I've been feeling lightheaded for several days. I am not diabetic either, but I have a meter because diabetes runs in my family and I do have PCOS. I usually range low, from maybe mid 50s to mid 70s fasting (high insulin levels?). I have a pair of boys aged 5 months who are breastfed and everything has been fine up until this week when I cut out my daily treat of cake and ice cream or chocolate or whatever. That's when the lightheadedness started. Oh, I also started jogging again, just a mile at a time, but I'm sure that's not helping.
At any rate, I really didn't expect lactating to have such an impact but its good to know I'm not alone there. We were considering going to the emergency room to get me checked out, but now I think I'll just have some sensible snacks and make an appointment with my doc.
Congratulations on the birth of Sienna. Being a mother is such a joy. My littlest one is 5 weeks and I'm breast feeding as well. So here is my question for you, my blood sugars are high majority of the time, I keep increaseing my insuline intake, through my pump and it doesn't seem to help. My daughter has also started having digestional issues (gas, fussing after feeding, all over fussyness) Have you heard that high blood sugars may have an effect on breast milk?
My baby is 2 1/2 weeks old and I have type 2 Diabetes . I took insulin 20 units before each meal. After her birth my sugars droped way down, to around a 100 every time I tested . I now take 4 units of insulin before each meal. and did fine until 3 days ago. now my numbers are way up 238 to 267 every time I check.I'm not sure whats going on either.I have also noticed an increase in fussiness in my baby. Im not sure how much of my sugar crosses onto the breast milk. I do know that sugar makes my 12 year old hyper and then he crashes .Could the same thing be true for babys?
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2013 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Top 8 Low-Carb Mistakes 
What Your Feet Say About Your Health 
7 Unusual Treatments for Diabetic Foot Pain 
The Facts on Diabetic Neuropathy 
That is truly a tragic story. I'm so sorry for your family.
Since I'm pumping breast milk and giving it to my daughter in a bottle, I don't have the particular risk of passing out while breastfeeding. However, your story is an important reminder for all mother's to take care of their health while attending to their babies. Thank you for sharing your story.