Low Milk Supply: How to Remedy a Common Breastfeeding Problem

Women can have a variety of breastfeeding problems, low milk supply being one of them. This can be the hardest part of nursing in my opinion. It is so hard as a new mom to simply trust your body to do what it was designed to do!

Most moms have no issues with supply whatsoever, even if they fear they might. Why so much concern about supply? How do you know if you have low milk supply?

These are not indicators of Low Milk Supply

• Growth spurts early on can be a blow to mom’s confidence in her body. Baby may always seem hungry and may nurse practically around the clock without ever seeming satisfied. Trust your body. This behavior is normal in newborns.
• Breasts feel soft. Our breasts are factories, not warehouses. There is always milk available even if it doesn’t seem like it. By around 4 months, mom’s supply will regulate and mom will not feel engorged much anymore. It is at this point that many moms fear they are losing their milk. The truth is, mom just no longer has an oversupply.
• Baby is nursing for shorter amounts of time. As babies get older, they become much more efficient. My little man can finish a full nursing session—both sides—in 10 minutes or less.
• Mom isn’t able to pump as much. Pumping is never a good indicator of supply. If you pump until you feel like you have drained your breast, baby will still be able to get quite a bit of milk out. Pumps, even the hospital-grade ones, just aren’t as efficient as baby.
• Baby drinks a big bottle after nursing. Babies need to suck. When liquid hits their tongue, they swallow. It’s a reflex. When a bottle is in baby’s mouth, the drips of milk trigger this reflex and before you know it, the bottle is empty even if baby wasn’t hungry.

How to Tell if You Aren’t Producing Enough Milk

Now, how can we be sure baby is getting enough? So many doctors are quick to suggest adding formula so at least part of the feedings can be measured. It is more scientific to have everything precise. Breastfeeding just doesn’t fit that “scientific” mold. Even still, there are very good ways to tell if baby is getting enough. Please be sure baby is healthy and not dehydrated before doing anything else.

• Diaper count. Expect one wet diaper for day of age (1 diaper on day 1, 2 on day 2, etc.) for the first week. After that, 5-6+ quite wet diapers per day is normal. Urine should be pale in color and mild smelling. If diaper count dips, try adding a feeding or two per day to see if it improves. As you are adding feedings, consult your lactation consultant.
• Swallowing. You should be able to see/hear baby swallow while latched. Swallowing shows the difference between nursing for comfort and nursing for food. Watching/listening for swallowing will help mom know how long baby is actually eating.
• Weight gain. It is perfectly normal for babies to lose up to 10% of their birth weight at first. If mom was given a lot of fluids before delivery, it may be normal for baby to lose a little more. Baby should regain that weight by 2 weeks. After that, baby should be gaining 5-7 oz. per week for the first 4 months.
• Milk transfer. If you are concerned about supply, you can rent a very sensitive baby scale. Remember that weights can differ by even a few pounds between scales, so don’t compare a home weight to a doctor weight. Weigh baby before a feeding and then directly after a feeding to see how many ounces he is transferring. You should do this for several feedings since babies do not always eat as much each time.

What to do about Breastfeeding Problems: Low Milk Supply

Now, I know how hard low milk supply problems can be. I had supply issues. Mine were caused by an undiagnosed thyroid issue that took 6 months to figure out. My lactation consultant and doctor worked together to help get baby to gain weight again and to get my supply back up. We needed to supplement with quite a bit of formula. Baby was only gaining an ounce per week for a few weeks. If you fear your low milk supply is indeed an issue, here are a few tips:

• Call your lactation consultant. A good LC is worth her weight in gold. Look for an IBCLC if possible: Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. WIC offices have breastfeeding peer counselors who are often working toward their IBCLC certification. Contact your local La Leche League for help with contacting a consultant.
• Make sure you are getting enough calories and fluids. I had absolutely no appetite after giving birth so getting enough to eat was a daily struggle.
• Add oatmeal to your diet. Oatmeal helps milk production. Oatmeal cookies can work as well (though not as well as regular oatmeal).
• Try drinking lactation teas. I used Mother’s Milk Tea and had some great success but learned that I was allergic to some of the herbs in the tea. 
• Increase your fiber intake. Fiber was my biggest helper. I noticed a supply increase right away.
• Get plenty of rest. (Haha! I know – that’s a funny one).
• Pump for 5-10 minutes after each feeding. You won’t get much yield, but since milk production is supply and demand, the pump adds demand to increase your supply.
• Don’t try to schedule feedings. If mom nurses baby on demand, her supply will be sufficiently stimulated.
• Consider supplements. Fenugreek can be very beneficial as can other supplements like brewers yeast. Some essential oils can also help with low milk supply. 
• Take a vacation—a nursing vacation. Spend a day or two in bed just nursing. Get as much skin to skin contact as possible. Let someone else bring you food and drinks. Just rest and nurse.

Breastfeeding can be hard at times. Our society isn’t terribly supportive of or knowledgeable about breastfeeding. Sadly, the majority of doctors are under-informed. As you work to improve milk supply, be sure to look for the possible root cause.