Struggling With Low Milk Supply?

You've read all the books, read all the articles, and heard all the advice about how breastfeeding is best. Like all us mamas, you want to do what is best for your little one. You decide to embark on this new breastfeeding journey…. But there's just one tiny (or big) problem.

Your milk supply is low.

If that's the case, you're likely wondering, "Is my baby getting enough calories?", "Should I just switch to formula?", or "Why is my milk supply so low?".

You might Google "how to increase milk supply" and get answers that suggest drinking certain lactation teas or lactation cookie recipes. While these may help and act as galactogogues (which are molecules used to induce, maintain, and increase milk production), they aren't going to do anything if they don't address the root cause.

If you are struggling to produce enough milk for your baby, there may be an underlying reason. Mamas often encounter this issue, which leads them to wean their baby too early. Weaning too early because of lactation issues can lead to high rates of postpartum depression.

Read my previous blog about the "Connection Between Mood and Breastfeeding".

It's important that we figure out why you have a low supply so we can fix it before it leads to you having to wean. This way, you and your nugget can thrive during this precious journey.

When postpartum mamas come to me with low milk supply being a concern, there are often other underlying issues contributing to it. Here are some of the common problems I see with my patients.

Your thyroid is a small gland that sits in your neck and regulates your metabolism. The pituitary gland sends TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) to your thyroid to produce your thyroid hormones, T3, and T4. T4 is the inactive form that then gets converted into T3, which is the form that can be used by your body.

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid is overactive (elevated T3 and T4). In contrast, hypothyroidism is when your thyroid isn't creating enough (you'll have low T3 and T4 but elevated TSH, which is trying to tell your thyroid to produce more hormones).

If you have thyroid dysfunction, you may also experience intolerance to cold, dry skin, lack of energy, impaired concentration, and aches and pains.

During postpartum thyroiditis, you may switch between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism may occur 1-4 months after delivery, while hypothyroidism may occur 4-8 months after delivery.

This is related to your breast milk supply because one significant hormone in lactation is prolactin, which is regulated by your thyroid from the pituitary gland. Prolactin stimulates milk synthesis, and a low prolactin level (due to thyroid dysfunction) has been connected to low milk supply.

You may or may not know if you have PCOS since symptoms and severity can range from woman to woman. Many PCOS diagnoses are associated with insulin resistance. Insulin plays a role in milk production, and having insulin resistance (a side effect of PCOS) may contribute to lactation problems in women with PCOS.

One study from 2018 showed that women with insulin resistance produced a lower milk supply than those without insulin resistance. So for these women to increase their supply, getting to the root of their insulin resistance issues should be a priority in order to increase their milk supply.

Postpartum can take a severe toll on your body. Taking care of a newborn is stressful. The added stress of losing hair, trying to lose baby weight, sleepless nights, and wondering if your baby is getting enough to eat, is just the cherry on top.

High stress can contribute to why your body isn't producing enough milk. When you are stressed, the hormone cortisol increases. This significantly reduces your milk supply. It can do this because your stress hormones inhibit oxytocin, and oxytocin is what helps your milk "let down" or flow freely from your breasts.

Something as simple as not drinking enough water throughout the day can impact your milk supply. You should be drinking 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce of water per pound that you weigh when you aren't nursing. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, it's a good idea to aim for at least 70 ounces of water per day. If you are nursing, you'll want to consume even more (about 300ml more).

Do you ever sit down to begin nursing your little one, and you feel SO thirsty all of a sudden? The oxytocin that your body releases during breastfeeding is responsible for triggering your thirst.

This is your body's natural way of making sure that you are getting enough water to make an adequate supply of breast milk. Make sure you are drinking enough to stay hydrated, and then drink a little more on top of that.

Check out the medications that you are taking. Some of these may be interfering with your milk supply. Medications like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Zyrtec D, others) as well as hormonal birth control can reduce your milk supply.

This is when women did not develop proper mammary tissue (or milk-making tissue) during adolescence. The milk-making capability of a breast isn't determined by breast size (which is determined by fat tissue), but is determined by the amount of glandular tissue in the breast.

This insufficient glandular tissue causes women to produce low milk supply or even no milk at all. It's often the breast shape and asymmetry that hints at IGT. Before you wonder if you suffer from this, we will rule out all other options and get you the lactation support you need.

• In most cases, lifestyle changes can help your low milk supply. If you are struggling to produce enough for your little one, try to incorporate these practices into your daily routine.
  
• Eat whole organic foods
• Learn how to manage your stress
• Ask for help when you need it (or even before you reach your breaking point)
• Sleep when you can. Don't stay up mindlessly watching Netflix. Get some shut-eye if your baby is sleeping!
• Drink water throughout the day. Keep a bottle with you to make it easier to sip on. You may even want to add some lemon or orange slices to make it easier to drink more.
• Work with a naturopathic doctor to get to the root cause of your low milk supply issues.
• Work with a lactation consultant.

Want to know the best diet to eat during the days after birth? Here is your diet plan to make sure you are consuming the right nutrients needed to restore your body and keep it nourished for you and your baby!

Don't give up, mama! This postpartum chapter can be everything you dreamt it to be. You may just need some help and guidance along the way- don't we all, right?

I'm Dr. Corey Lapp, and I'm a naturopathic doctor who specializes in helping confused mamas feel connected and healthy. I know our mamas lack the support they so dearly need, and that's why I am here to support you.

Please make an appointment with me to get started today. *Choose "Discovery Phone Call (video conference)" when selecting appointment type.