Your milk supply is considered low when there is not enough breast milk being produced to meet a baby's growth needs. If your baby is gaining weight from breast milk only, then your milk supply is considered adequate.
Some new breastfeeding moms wonder if their milk supply is low because baby is breastfeeding more often or their breasts suddenly feel softer. Both of these are completely normal though, and don't indicate low breast milk supply.
If baby starts losing weight or stops gaining weight, it could be due to low milk supply. You will want to contact a board-certified lactation consultant and/or your pediatrician as soon as possible. During times of low milk supply, it might be necessary to supplement with formula until you build your breastmilk production back up. You will also want to make sure you are not going longer than 3 hours without breastfeeding or pumping. At this point, most breastfeeding moms find the use of specific herbs to be helpful at increasing their milk supply.
Breast milk supply can drop due to any number of reasons. A common reason is skipping breastfeeding sessions or pumpings. Although your milk supply may not decrease that day or the next day, it will start to decrease if you miss feedings or pumpings on a regular basis. Sometimes though, nursing moms find their breast milk supply drops without any obvious reason.
Some other common causes of decreased breast milk production are:
Not nursing often enough
Poor latch on
Position of baby during feeding
Formula supplements - (baby gets full and doesn't breastfeed as often)
Changing sides to soon
Medications -
* Antihistamines
* High Doses of B6
* Some decongestants
* Some weight loss medications
* Diuretics
* Sedatives
* Birth Control Pills
Stress and Worry
Menstruation
Anemia or Thyroid Deficiency
Bottle feeding, nipple shields, and pacifiers
PCOS (please see our article on this here)
Very few medical conditions can cause a chronic loss of breastmilk supply. PCOS and thyroid problems can. If you have one of these conditions, or suspect you may, please see a lactation consultant as soon as possible. You will want to continue breastfeeding as often as possible and starting an herbal product to improve your breast milk production.
Many of the top leading experts in breastfeeding advise using herbs called galactagogues to increase low milk supply. Many moms have seen an improvement in breast milk production and supply by using the right combination of herbs. That's why we created Breastea. Breastea contains the top herbs used to enhance and increase breast milk production. With our combination of herbs, most moms report an improvement in their breast milk supply within the first 48 hours.
Herbs such as fenugreek seeds and blessed thistle are used to increase breast milk supply. If you have noticed a drop in your breast milk supply, we invite you to try Breastea. While drinking Breastea, you will want to increase your nursing/pumping sessions. It's important that you have a good nursing/pumping schedule in place, and don't skip any. Between the increased nursing/pumping sessions and the herbs contained in Breastea, many moms find that they are able to improve breastmilk supply and are satisfied with the results.
