Most Common Cause of Mother's Low-Milk Supply in the First 3 Months

Written exlusively by Simply the Breast, without the assistance of AI.

Low-milk supply. This is an extremely common problem that many moms come to me for help with.  It is incredibly distressing to moms, understandably so.  Most moms want to breastfeed their baby, but if they can't breastfeed, the vast majority want to give their breast milk.  Thus, obviously it is very worrisome when moms feel they are producing low quantities of milk in the first three months of their baby's life.

First thing to know is, for some moms it is actually a perception that they have low-supply (stemming from worry) and not really that they have a low supply.  However, that is not to negate mother's instinct--very often the mother is right and her supply is actually low.

What Is The Most Common Cause Of Low-Milk Supply?

Hands down, it is an improper management of feeding or pumping.* In other words, the mother was not breastfeeding frequently enough or she was not pumping often enough in the first 4-6 weeks post-partum.  Sometimes, even if moms are having difficulty breastfeeding, moms will report that they have pumped just a handful of times in that early period, or did not get started pumping until day 7-10.

For moms who had babies who were breastfeeding in the first few weeks post-partum, the baby may not have been getting a good latch or may have breastfed too short (time) each time at the breast. Typically it happens that moms mistakenly don't put the baby to the breast frequently enough in that early post-partum period.

How Does This Even Happen?

I find that the majority of moms who come to me in this situation were not educated properly by hospital staff in the days following the birth of their baby.  Hospitals are often very busy and either the staff trained in breastfeeding management (IBCLCs) are not able to see you at all, or you get a short visit/few visits, due to time constraints. Additionally, consultants may cover as much information as they can in the time they have to see you but basic management of lactation is missed in the education portion of post-partum care.

Sometimes the nursing staff or Lactation Consultant miss the cues that the mother was interested in breastfeeding.  They may have interpreted the mom's words or body language as she was not interested at all in breastfeeding.  Rather, mom may have simply been overwhelmed at the time and could not "wrap her mind around" starting to pump or trying to put the baby to the breast. 

I am deeply saddened for these moms because the hospital did them a disservice in not educating them on what was needed to establish and maintain their supply.

All post-partum moms who are intending to give their breast milk need to adequately stimulate/express their breasts 8 times a day for 20 minutes.

This means that, even in the hospital, if the baby is not feeding well from the breast (e.g., very short feeds), mom needs to start pumping.

Optimal Electrolytes

It may not be too late for moms who find themselves in this situation!  It depends on where your supply is at, what happened through birth and the early postpartum period, and how many w

eeks postpartum you are, as well as a few other technical things I will leave for your consultant to cover.

What Can You Do?

First and foremost, find yourself an experienced IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) who can assess the situation and develop a plan for you through a Lactation Consult.  This is very important. 

I also highly recommend starting a high quality electrolyte, like this. Start with at least one serving a day with a glass of water. It can be very helpful for moms who are low in supply and is often my first starting place for something a mom would take or eat to boost supply.

Second, if you can, start pumping 8x a day for 15-20 minutes with whatever pump you do have on hand. If you are able to access a hospital grade pump, that is always better for a mom who is trying to get her supply up. 

I can't emphasize enough NOT to give up!  Increasing supply is a slow process.  Most importantly, every drop of breastmilk you give your baby is priceless!

When you go to your Lactation Consult appointment be sure to bring your pump

and all the parts that come with it, with you. Your consultant should check the suction on your pump and help you with the set-up/pumping to ensure proper stimulation and drainage of the breast.  You may need to rent a hospital grade pump. 

Of course, bring your baby with you too if you would like to try to put the baby to the breast.

*This is the most common cause.  This is not to say there are not other causes of low milk supply or even causes related to a mother's health. This is why it is important to be evaluated by a trained IBCLC. 

Written for humans, by a human.

Need Help?

Simply the Breast offers Exclusive Pumping consultations for moms who are focused exclusively on pumping/low-milk supply. For more information or questions you have contact Simply the Breast today.  If you would like to know more about Simply the Breast you can view more here.