What are the usual reasons for low milk supply in new mothers?
The number one cause of low milk supply is simple “mismanagement”, meaning baby is not latched properly over the long term, or mother and baby are not breastfeeding often enough, resulting in inadequate stimulation for good milk production. Close behind is “perceived insufficient milk supply”, which refers to the cultural perceptions that cause mothers to conclude that they are not making enough milk when indeed they are and can. This misperception often occurs during growth spurts, or from the ignorant and worrisome comments of friends and relatives about how often baby “should” be eating or how long baby “should” be sleeping at a particular age, resulting in a decision to supplement that causes baby to demand less and thus milk production to truly drop. Beyond this, hypothyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, or more rarely retained placental fragments or severe postpartum hemorrhage, can also cause low milk supply, as can birth control pills and shots, especially when started early on. H
