Is Your Milk Supply Really Low?

First, let’s ask the most important question: Do you really have low milk supply?
Many parents worry about this unnecessarily. If your baby is gaining weight well on
breastmilk alone, chances are everything is going just fine.

Important: The following do not mean you have low supply:

• Your baby wants to nurse often.
• Your baby has fussy evenings.
• Your breasts feel soft or don’t leak.
• You don’t feel let-down anymore.
• You get very little when you pump.

What does matter?
• Baby’s weight gain.
• Wet and dirty diaper count (at least 6 wet diapers a day by day 5).
• Alertness and steady development.

If you’re unsure about baby’s weight gain, talk to your pediatrician or lactation consultant.

Common Causes of Low Supply

Milk production works on supply and demand—the more milk removed from your breasts, the more your body makes.

Some common reasons for low milk supply:

• Regular formula or bottle supplements (your body doesn’t get the signal to make
more milk).
• Pacifiers reducing time at the breast.
• Scheduled feedings instead of feeding on demand.
• Sleepy baby not nursing often or for long enough.
• Cutting feedings short before baby is finished.
• Offering only one breast per feeding (not always bad—but during supply building, it can reduce milk removal).
• Baby’s latch or health issues (e.g., tongue tie, jaundice).
• Parent’s health issues (e.g., hypothyroidism, retained placenta, PCOS).
• Use of hormonal birth control, decongestants (e.g., Sudafed), or smoking.

How to Increase Milk Supply

If you suspect or confirm a low milk supply, here’s a step-by-step plan to help increase it.

Step 1: Optimize Nursing
• Latch matters. Poor latch = poor milk transfer. Ask for help if nursing is painful or baby seems unsatisfied.
• Feed often. Aim for every 1.5–2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night if
baby is gaining slowly.
• Let baby finish one side before switching. Then offer the second breast.
• Use breast compressions. Gentle pressure can help milk flow and keep baby interested.
• Switch nursing. Switch sides 2–3 times per session when baby starts to slow down.

Step 2: Take a Nursing Vacation

Set aside 2–3 days where you do nothing but:
• Rest in bed or cuddle skin-to-skin.
• Nurse frequently and on demand.
• Keep distractions and visitors to a minimum.

This “baby moon” can jumpstart your milk production.

Step 3: Pump Strategically

Pumping can boost supply if baby isn’t feeding effectively or frequently enough.
• Pump after feeds (especially if baby seems full quickly).
• Pump between feeds, especially early morning when supply is highest.
• Keep pumping 2–5 minutes after milk stops flowing to stimulate more production.
• Hands-on pumping (massaging while pumping) helps too.

Step 4: Minimize Bottles & Pacifiers

• Bottles are easier to drink from and may cause baby to prefer them.
• Avoid unless medically needed. If you must supplement, use a spoon, cup, or nursing
supplementer when possible.

Step 5: Hold Off on Solids or Formula

• Breastmilk alone is enough for babies under 6 months.
• Solids or extra formula can reduce baby’s interest in nursing, which lowers your supply.
• If you’re already supplementing, wean gradually with help from a lactation consultant.

Step 6: Take Care of Yourself

• Rest whenever possible.
• Eat a balanced diet (no need for a special “milk-boosting” diet).
• Stay hydrated (drink to thirst, no need to overdrink).
• Reduce stress—your well-being matters.

Step 7: Consider Galactagogues (Optional)

These are herbs, foods, or medications that may help increase supply.

Herbal options:
• Fenugreek
• Blessed thistle
• Goat’s rue
• Moringa
• Shatavari

Foods:
• Oatmeal
• Brewer’s yeast
• Fennel
• Barley

Medical options:

• Domperidone or Metoclopramide (under doctor supervision)

Always consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare provider before trying supplements or herbs.

When to Get Help

Contact a lactation consultant or healthcare provider if:

• Baby is not gaining weight or having fewer than 6 wet diapers/day.
• Breastfeeding is painful or extremely stressful.
• You suspect baby has a latch issue or oral restriction (like tongue tie).
• You feel your supply is not increasing despite all efforts.