[Breastfeeding] When You Have a Low Milk Supply

To continue on our lactation kick, in this episode of the Birthful podcast we are going to be talking about low milk supply. Low milk supply— whether real or perceived— can seriously impact a nursing relationship. I’ll be taking with Diana Cassar-Uhl, to help us navigate the constellation of reasons that may cause it, and possible solutions.

What we talked about:

• What is considered a low milk supply?
• The million dollar question: how common is low milk supply?
• What to do if you think your milk supply is low
• Why it’s impossible to “spoil” a newborn
• Your baby’s hunger cues
• Is it time for a “nursing vacation”?
• What if your boobs don’t change?
• Low milk supply: physical reasons, behavioral reasons, or both?

Helpful links from Diana:

• Perceived Insufficient Milk, KellyMom
• Hypoplasia/Insufficient Glandular Tissue, KellyMom
• Insulin resistance and lactation insufficiency: FAQ, Diana’s website
• Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding with Insufficient Glandular Tissue, by Diana Cassar-Uhl
• Resources for nursing families at lowmilksuppy.org

Additional resources about low milk supply:

• Breastfeeding and low supply: Common and surprising causes and solutions, PhD in Parenting
• Hidden Hindrances to a Healthy Milk Supply, Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC
• Increasing Low Milk Supply, Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC
• How does milk production work? Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC
• The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk, by Diana West, IBCLC and Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC

Courtesy of Diana Cassar-Uhl

About Diana Cassar-Uhl

Diana Cassar-Uhl, MPH, IBCLC is a first year doctoral student in perinatal and child health with a research interest in infant and child nutrition. She has been helping bodyfeeding families since 2005 as a La Leche League leader, IBCLC, educator, author, and researcher. She blogs at DianaIBCLC.com and is the author of Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding With Insufficient Glandular Tissue (Praeclarus Press). Mother of three school-age children, Diana splits her time between her home in upstate New York and her academic and professional pursuits in the Washington, DC area.

Learn more about Diana.