Low milk supply

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Low milk supply
Synonyms	Insufficient milk supply, Hypogalactia
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Inadequate weight gain in infant, Dehydration in infant, Jaundice in infant
Complications	Failure to thrive, Malnutrition
Onset	Typically within the first few days to weeks postpartum
Duration	Can be temporary or persistent
Types	N/A
Causes	Poor latch, Infrequent breastfeeding, Maternal stress, Hormonal imbalances, Breast surgery
Risks	Premature birth, Maternal obesity, Diabetes, Polycystic ovary syndrome
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, Infant weight monitoring, Breastfeeding assessment
Differential diagnosis	Breastfeeding jaundice, Infant tongue-tie, Maternal hypothyroidism
Prevention	Breastfeeding education, Lactation support, Skin-to-skin contact
Treatment	Lactation consultant support, Galactagogues, Breast pump use, Supplemental nursing system
Medication	Domperidone, Metoclopramide
Prognosis	Generally good with appropriate intervention
Frequency	Affects up to 15% of breastfeeding mothers
Deaths	Rare, related to complications in infants

Low milk supply is a condition that can occur in breastfeeding mothers, where the production of breast milk is insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the infant. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including maternal health issues, infant feeding difficulties, and certain lifestyle factors.

Causes

The causes of low milk supply can be broadly categorized into three groups: maternal, infant, and lifestyle factors.

Maternal Factors

Maternal factors that can contribute to low milk supply include breast surgery, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, and health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders. Stress and fatigue can also impact milk production.

Infant Factors

Infant factors include premature birth, poor latch, and certain health conditions such as tongue tie and cleft palate. Infants with these conditions may have difficulty effectively removing milk from the breast, which can lead to decreased milk production.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors that can impact milk supply include infrequent breastfeeding or pumping, alcohol and tobacco use, and certain medications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of low milk supply can include the infant not gaining weight as expected, the infant seeming unsatisfied after feeds, and the mother not feeling a let-down reflex or not being able to express much milk.

Management

Management of low milk supply typically involves addressing the underlying cause, if possible. This may involve changes to the mother's lifestyle, medication, or breastfeeding technique. In some cases, supplemental feeding with formula may be necessary.

Gallery

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  Newborn on mother chest

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  Breast compression for breastfeeding

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  Breast pumping

See Also

• Breastfeeding difficulties
• Breast milk
• Lactation

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