Decoding low milk supply

Effath Yasmin is India's leading IBCLC, a biodynamic craniosacral therapist from Mumbai, India and founder of Nourish & Nurture. Her special interests lie in infant oral and sucking dysfunction, tongue-tie assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, biomechanics of breastfeeding and treatment of birth trauma, anxiety and depression. Yasmin serves on the national board of Birth India and international advisory board of ICAP (International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals) and GOLD Conferences. She is also the producer and director of an award-winning international documentary film Untying Breastfeeding screened across many countries.

- Effath Yasmin

The number one reason that new mums do not initiate early breastfeeding after birth is the same as why mothers give do not continue to nurse for as long as the stated standard recommendation—a minimum of first two years of the baby’s life. That reason, in my several years of experience in supporting mothers, is none other than the concern of low milk supply. Strangely, however, I began to notice that milk supply issues are much easier to address than most other breastfeeding-related issues. That seems to open up a whole different discussion and perspective. Many mothers may find that quite surprising and often get interested to know why and how.

Most, if not all, new mothers, their family and friends often think low supply is the cause for breastfeeding not going well. This has a potential to make new mothers feel inadequate and insecure. On the other hand, mother-to-mother support forums and groups tend to think that milk supply issues are a myth, and only a perception perpetrated by a mum’s support system and personal insecurities. The reality lies somewhere in between. A clear understanding of the four important components of breastfeeding can help us understand how to differentiate between adequate milk supply and symptomatic low milk supply.

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