Amanda’s Story
When I delivered my first, she gained weight steadily for the first two weeks of her life and was above birth weight. By her one-month appointment, she had not gained any more weight and my pediatrician was concerned about her milk intake.
In addition to slow weight gain, she did not poop her first week of life and needed an enema, and she was very colicky in the evenings. She would only be satisfied by nursing. When I realized that the lack of bowel movements and the slow weight gain were the result of low milk supply, I immediately purchased a hospital grade pump and began exclusively pumping. I found out I only made about 15 oz compared to the 24 oz she should be eating.
We supplemented with formula and she was happy, so I tried to power pump and use lactation cookies, oats and supplements, but nothing helped. I was able to exclusively pump until 5.5 months with her.
Currently I am exclusively pumping with my second. At her two-week appointment (really nine days) she had lost some weight and we were concerned that she was having issues latching. I hired a lactation consultant and joined the IGT and Low Milk Supply Support Group immediately. I also started supplementing while I tried to figure out the issue, as everyone had told me I shouldn’t have any problems this time.
Eventually, I got blood results and found that I was deficient in both vitamins B12 and D. In addition, it was determined PCOS was likely the cause of my low supply. I thought that I would try natural supplements to support adrenal function, but they made my baby break out in a horrible rash, so I stopped. However, while taking the supplements, I was able to get my supply up to 21oz a day. Since stopping, I have been able to maintain this amount, plus or minus some, for a few months. I am now 5.5 months postpartum.
“Low milk supply matters because it’s not just about low milk supply, but postpartum mental health, too.”
How old was your baby when you realized you had low milk supply? What concerns led you to learn this?
One months with my first, two weeks with my second.
What were some of your goals when you first started your breastfeeding journey? How did these goals shift throughout the time you were lactating?
Breastfeeding until one year. They shifted in that I made myself promise not to let it negatively affect my mental health (which is a constant battle) and to just try to make baby steps, so six months, nine months, twelve months and so on.
What advice were you given, if any, to increase your supply? By whom?
I had several lactation consultants and IBCLCS. I was told my first was perfectly healthy, that I just needed to power pump more and drink more water. My second the IBCLC diagnosed her with a lip and tongue tie and advised that we get it corrected. I chose not to and recently had her evaluated for something else with a craniofacial specialist and he determined that her tongue and lip tie were no more severe than anyone else's. The IBCLC recommended I drink to thirst, take moringa, my prenatals and a vitamin B complex as well.
Did you feel supported by your medical providers? Why or why not?
Yes and no. I think they wanted to, but my OBGYN was just not very knowledgeable, although he was willing to take my lead and request any labs I wanted.
What is one thing that you wish someone would have told you when you began your low milk supply journey?
It doesn’t get easier the second time, but you're not a failure.
Is there any support from people other than medical providers (e.g. lactation consultants, family, friends, peers) that you wish you had gotten during your low supply journey?
I have great mom friends, but there is such stigma around it. I just wish people would have honest conversations versus trying to immediately make you feel better.
Did you feel prepared for the possibility of low milk supply? Why or why not?
No. I was told the second time around it should be easier and I was trying to be optimistic.
What is one thing that you would like all medical and lactation professionals to know about chronic low milk supply?
Sometimes we just need someone to be honest and tell us we can’t do it by ourselves. And that it’s okay. It would also be nice to hear that it’s okay to quit if you want. Sometimes we need someone else to tell us that. It's also good to meet with women like me. It can be much easier to take in a situation when surrounded by peers.
In one sentence, why does low milk supply matter to you?
It matters because it’s not just about low milk supply, but postpartum mental health, too.
What is one thing about your low milk supply experience that makes you proud?
That I give it 100% of what I can manage and that I accept that if I need to stop, I can.