Breastfeeding Myth #2: Many women can't make enough milk

Many women believe they are physically unable to produce enough milk to meet the needs of their baby. In reality, most cases of low milk supply are caused by the mismanagement of breastfeeding. Breasts make milk in response to being emptied (although the lactating breast is never empty, because it keeps making milk). The more frequently and thoroughly the breast is emptied, the more milk it makes. However, many women are advised to nurse infrequently and to limit the duration of breastfeeding. They also may not know how to recognize when the baby is latched on and positioned well at the breast, both of which are needed for the baby to effectively transfer milk--and empty the breast. Mothers are also often advised to give the baby a supplement for non-medical reasons, which reduces how much the baby breastfeeds--and lowers milk supply. Milk supply is very dynamic. So, low milk supply is very responsive to improvements in the management of breastfeeding. With accurate information so they can manage breastfeeding appropriately, most women are able to develop an ample supply. In the uncommon circumstances that a woman truly cannot provide all the milk that her baby needs, improving the management of breastfeeding will maximize her milk supply.

Resources on improving milk supply include:

La Leche League's collection of online articles related to milk supply issues at http://www.llli.org/NB/NBmilksupplyissues.html

Jack Newman's articles on milk supply issues:

Is My Baby Getting enough Milk? at http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/4pdf.pdf

Slow Weight Gain After the First Few Months at http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/25pdf.pdf

Cynthia Good Mojab
Director, LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC (www.lifecirclecc.com)