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Staring at your baby and wondering if they're getting enough milk can be one of the most stressful experiences for new moms. Before you try every trick online, you need to identify what's actually causing your low supply. From hormonal imbalances and tongue tie to feeding schedules and stress levels, the reasons vary widely. The good news? Most supply issues have clear solutions once you pinpoint the real problem.
Many moms worry about milk supply when everything is actually fine. Here are the real signs that indicate a problem versus normal breastfeeding patterns.
Your baby's output and growth are the most reliable indicators of whether they're getting enough milk. Watch for these concrete signs:
These common concerns often make moms think their supply is low when it's actually working perfectly:
If you're only experiencing the "normal" signs, your supply is likely adequate. Focus on the concrete indicators like diaper output and weight gain.
Some low milk supply issues stem from medical conditions or your body's physical makeup. These can affect how much milk your breasts produce or how well your hormones work.
Some women are born with less milk-making tissue in their breasts. You might have tubular or narrow-shaped breasts, breasts spaced far apart, or little breast growth during pregnancy. If this sounds like you, you'll likely need to supplement with formula. A lactation consultant can help you make as much milk as possible.
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can seriously reduce your milk supply. Signs include feeling tired all the time, gaining weight without trying, and low milk despite nursing often. Ask your doctor for a thyroid blood test. Medication can fix the problem and help your supply improve.
PCOS causes hormone problems that affect both getting pregnant and breastfeeding. Your milk might come in late or you might not produce enough. The same hormones that mess with your period also interfere with prolactin, which makes milk. Talk to your doctor about lactation support and medications that can help.
Diabetes affects blood flow and hormones, both needed for making milk. Your milk often takes longer to come in after giving birth. High or unstable blood sugar interferes with the hormones that start and keep milk flowing. Keep your blood sugar controlled and get lactation help early.
Breast surgery can cut milk ducts and nerves you need for breastfeeding. Breast reduction causes the most problems because tissue is removed and the nipple is moved, cutting ducts along the way. With implants, where the cut was made matters—around the areola is worse than under the breast. Biopsies can leave scar tissue that blocks milk. A lactation consultant can check how well your breasts still work and if you need to supplement.
Some medications lower milk production. Birth control with estrogen is a big one—avoid it while building your supply. Decongestants like Sudafed dry up milk along with your nose. Some antihistamines do this too. Large amounts of certain herbs also decrease milk: peppermint, parsley, and sage. Tell your doctor you're breastfeeding before taking any new medicine and ask for options that won't hurt your supply.
Extra weight can throw off your hormones and insulin levels, delaying when milk comes in. These hormone problems interfere with prolactin and other milk-making hormones. Larger breasts can also make it harder for your baby to latch on properly. Work on finding positions that fit your body, and get help from a lactation consultant with positioning and latch.
Sometimes the problem isn't with you—it's with how effectively your baby can remove milk from your breasts.
When your baby can't remove milk well, your body gets the message to make less. This is basic supply and demand—poor drainage means decreased production. You might notice nipple pain, clicking sounds during feeding, or your baby getting frustrated at the breast. Tongue tie is a common culprit where tight tissue under the tongue limits movement. A lactation consultant can evaluate the latch and check for tongue or lip ties. Sometimes a simple procedure called a frenectomy fixes the tie, but often improving latch technique alone can solve the problem.
Babies who are premature, sick, or very sleepy often can't suck strongly enough to get milk out. Jaundice makes babies extra sleepy and less interested in eating. If your baby is in the hospital or has medical issues, they might not be able to nurse at all. When your baby isn't nursing effectively, pump every 2-3 hours to keep your supply up. As your baby gets stronger, you can gradually shift back to nursing directly at the breast.
How and when you feed your baby directly affects how much milk you make. These common feeding habits can accidentally decrease your supply.
Sticking to a strict schedule instead of feeding when your baby shows hunger cues is a major supply killer. When you go too long between feeds, your breasts stay full, which tells your body to slow down milk production. This is supply and demand in action—less stimulation means less milk. Newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours, sometimes more. Feed your baby whenever they show signs of hunger like rooting, sucking on hands, or getting fussy. Watch your baby, not the clock.
Prolactin, the hormone that makes milk, reaches its highest levels at night. Those middle-of-the-night feeds aren't just important—they're critical for building and keeping your supply. Many moms are tempted to skip night feeds or let someone else give a bottle so they can sleep. While exhausting, night nursing is essential, especially in the first three months when your supply is still establishing. Your body needs those nighttime signals to know how much milk to make.
Every bottle of formula your baby drinks replaces a nursing session. Less time at the breast means less stimulation, which signals your body to produce less milk. If you need to supplement for medical reasons, pump each time you give a bottle to keep your breasts emptied and your supply strong. The key is maintaining the same level of breast stimulation whether your baby nurses or you pump.
Your daily life and habits can affect how much milk you make.
Stress releases cortisol, which blocks oxytocin—the hormone that lets milk flow. Your milk might be there but won't come out. Severe lack of sleep also lowers prolactin, which makes milk. Worse yet, worrying about low supply creates more stress, which drops your supply further. Do skin-to-skin contact with your baby to boost milk hormones naturally. Let others handle housework. Sleep when your baby sleeps instead of doing chores.
Breast milk is 88% water. If you're dehydrated, you'll make less milk. Crash dieting or cutting calories too much will also drop your supply fast. Your body needs fuel to make milk. Keep a water bottle where you nurse and drink throughout the day. Eat 300-500 extra calories daily with balanced meals. Skip the extreme diets while breastfeeding.
Many women see a temporary supply drop when their period returns. Ovulation can also cause a brief dip. When estrogen and progesterone drop during your cycle, milk production often follows. This is normal. Nurse more often during your period. Some moms find calcium and magnesium supplements help. Supply usually comes back after your period ends.
Once you know why your supply is low, you can take the right steps to fix it. The best way to increase your supply is to treat the actual problem causing it. If you have a medical condition like thyroid issues or PCOS, you need medical treatment. If your baby has a poor latch or tongue tie, you need to fix the feeding technique. Start with fixing the root cause, then add these strategies.
These methods help almost everyone increase milk production, regardless of the cause.
Set a timer to nurse your baby every 2-3 hours during the day, even if you need to wake them. At night, respond to your baby's hunger cues rather than trying to stretch feedings. Offer both breasts at each session. When your baby finishes one side and seems done, wait a few minutes, then offer the other breast again. Don't watch the clock during feeds—let your baby nurse until they release the breast on their own.
Before feeding, use your fingertips to massage your breasts in circular motions, working from the chest wall toward the nipple. Spend about 1-2 minutes on each breast. For a more effective and less tiring alternative, consider using a Warming and Vibrating Lactation Massager, which features heating and vibration modes to help soften your breasts, encourage let-down, and improve milk flow—all while being hands-free and small enough to fit inside your bra.
While your baby nurses, place your hand in a C-shape around your breast (thumb on top, fingers underneath, away from the areola). When you notice your baby's sucking slow down, gently compress your breast by pressing your thumb and fingers together. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this several times during the feeding.
After each nursing session, pump both breasts for 10-15 minutes even if little milk comes out. Alternatively, add 2-3 pumping sessions between feedings—aim for early morning (when prolactin is highest), midday, and evening. For power pumping, set aside one hour once daily. Pump both breasts for 20 minutes, rest 10 minutes, pump 10 minutes, rest 10 minutes, pump 10 minutes. Use a double electric pump like the Momcozy Mobile Flow™ that allows hands-free pumping so you can relax or multitask.
Eat a bowl of oatmeal every morning. Add 1-3 teaspoons of brewer's yeast to smoothies or baked goods daily. Take fenugreek capsules (typically 3 capsules, 3 times daily, totaling about 3,500mg) after checking with your doctor. Brew fennel tea by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds in hot water for 10 minutes. Make or buy lactation cookies containing oats, flaxseed, and brewer's yeast—eat 2-3 cookies daily. Keep a large water bottle (at least 32 oz) at your nursing station and refill it twice daily.
Strip your baby down to their diaper and place them against your bare chest. Cover both of you with a blanket. Do this for at least 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times daily between feedings. Lie back in a reclined position so your baby rests comfortably on your chest. Keep the room warm (around 75°F) so your baby doesn't get cold.
Now you know the 15 main reasons for low milk supply, from thyroid issues to poor latch to skipping night feeds. Look through the list and figure out which ones might apply to you. If you think it's medical, talk to your doctor. If it's about how your baby feeds, get help from a lactation consultant. Most supply problems can improve in just a few days when you address the real cause.
Most moms see improvement in 3-7 days with consistent effort. Nurse or pump every 2-3 hours, including at night. You should notice your breasts feeling fuller and your baby seeming more satisfied within the first week. If you don't see any change after a week, talk to a lactation consultant.
No, extra water won't increase supply. Drink when you're thirsty and keep water nearby while nursing. Dehydration can lower your supply, but forcing yourself to drink gallons won't boost it. Just drink enough to stay comfortable.
No. Soft breasts are normal after the first few weeks. They feel hard at first, then soften once your body adjusts. If your baby is gaining weight and has enough wet diapers, you're fine.
Large amounts of peppermint, parsley, and sage can lower supply. Too much caffeine or alcohol might also drop production. But the real problem is not eating enough—your body needs calories to make milk.
It's never too late, but earlier is easier. The first few weeks after birth are the best time to build supply because your hormones are primed for it. However, you can still increase supply months later with frequent nursing or pumping. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand at any stage.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
