Only 5% of women suffer from a Physiologically Insufficient Milk Supply — NIH

[Anonymous]

I think there are lots of reasons why EBF might not be the best choice for a particular mother-child dyad. The reasons add up to a significant percentage of the population, even if 5% doesn't seem like a lot.

There are physiological reasons that might prevent a woman from making sufficient milk.

There are physiological reasons that might prevent an infant from transferring that milk -- low tone, tongue tie, etc . . .

There are other medical reasons why nursing might not get established, such as a mom who needs medication that makes nursing unsafe, or a baby in the NICU who isn't ready to nurse.

There are social reasons, such as lack of access to knowledgeable mentors, or needing to go back to work to early and having difficulty pumping.

There are psychological reasons why it might be best for a mother to supplement such as PPD exacerbated by lack of sleep, and psychological reasons why a mother might be anxious about not making enough and feel better giving formula.

And there are women who simply prefer to formula feed.

All of these are legit reasons. No one needs to feel ashamed for choosing formula.

[Anonymous]

This is not true. There’s ample evidence to the contrary. No link has been provided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not true. There’s ample evidence to the contrary. No link has been provided.

It’s 10000% true. There’s ample evidence supporting it. Link has definitely been provided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not true. There’s ample evidence to the contrary. No link has been provided.

It’s 10000% true. There’s ample evidence supporting it. Link has definitely been provided.

No - Nobody has provided anything to support the 5% figure which is clearly untrue. Thread should just be removed

[Anonymous]

If my child didn't take 45 mins to finish a feed I might have breastfed longer. I had excellent lactation consultants available and they all agreed that was just how she was. I gave birth before the formula shortage, mind you; that might have made me try more.

Sleep >>>>>> breastmilk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PCOS causes undeveloped, non milk producing breast tissue, and obesity.

+1. Hypoplastic breasts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How on earth could they differentiate?

I think the only way it could be a physical issue is if there was some kind of breast surgery, right? Anything else?

Another main cause is something called Insufficient Glandular Tissue usually caused by Tuberous/Tubular breast syndrome. 10% of women have this condition, and of that 10% most have IGT. I have it and was fortunate to have no issues with one breast (and in fact oversupply) but never really produced anything from the other. It is very much a medical reason, not psychological or social.

[Anonymous]

The pivot on this board to “science is actually wrong” happened real fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pivot on this board to “science is actually wrong” happened real fast.

Breastfeeding is one of those topics where the science can be goofy, benefits tend to be overstated. You can’t question breastfeeding; it’s untouchable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pivot on this board to “science is actually wrong” happened real fast.

Breastfeeding is one of those topics where the science can be goofy, benefits tend to be overstated. You can’t question breastfeeding; it’s untouchable.

And to be clear: I like breastfeeding and am currently nursing my newborn. But I’m also a critical consumer of information and I take breastfeeding “science” with a massive grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How on earth could they differentiate?

I think the only way it could be a physical issue is if there was some kind of breast surgery, right? Anything else?

Another main cause is something called Insufficient Glandular Tissue usually caused by Tuberous/Tubular breast syndrome. 10% of women have this condition, and of that 10% most have IGT. I have it and was fortunate to have no issues with one breast (and in fact oversupply) but never really produced anything from the other. It is very much a medical reason, not psychological or social.

This is what I have, though I never was able to produce quite enough. I didn't know that it existed, and drove myself crazy trying to make nursing happen (supplemental feeding systems, pumping after every feed, illegally importing domperidone from overseas). It was awful for my mental health and possibly for my baby's physical health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How on earth could they differentiate?

I think the only way it could be a physical issue is if there was some kind of breast surgery, right? Anything else?

Another main cause is something called Insufficient Glandular Tissue usually caused by Tuberous/Tubular breast syndrome. 10% of women have this condition, and of that 10% most have IGT. I have it and was fortunate to have no issues with one breast (and in fact oversupply) but never really produced anything from the other. It is very much a medical reason, not psychological or social.

This is what I have, though I never was able to produce quite enough. I didn't know that it existed, and drove myself crazy trying to make nursing happen (supplemental feeding systems, pumping after every feed, illegally importing domperidone from overseas). It was awful for my mental health and possibly for my baby's physical health.

Another mom here who imported domperidone. While I don’t think it’s harmful at all, it does show how much pressure we feel when for some of us it’s just not possible to EBF. I wish there was more honesty about the fact that it might not work for every woman despite incredible efforts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the role of stress, anxiety and depression in hampering a bountiful milk supply IF the solutions proposed are not for mom to TRY HARDER.

This. This reads to me as super obvious, the hard part is reccomendations to support the factors playing into the psychological population because 95% of the population is not EBF. Mandatory paid leave and decent postpartum care anyone?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if it is 5% across cultures? I would be interested to know.

I was unsuccessful at breastfeeding. I was 41 when my child was born, had a c section after a few days of induction, and I figured those things contributed even though I don't know any medical research to support that.

I don't have PCOS, am not obese. I do have "dense breast tissue" I wonder if that is related to the breast tissue issues (tubular, etc) that a pp mentioned?

In my case, I can't rule out psychological. I have a messed up amygala, am diagnosed with c-ptsd, but did not know this at time of giving birth. I wanted badly to bf, and hired a private coach, rented a hospital pump, ate all the oatmeal cookies, did every single thing suggested to me, and only ever produced a tiny bit. After a few weeks, I decided I didn't want to spend my days with my baby that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is the purpose of this post just to make women who might already be struggling to breastfeed feel worse? “Oh, this one study suggests that your struggles to feed your child might all be your fault because they’re in your head.”

+1

How many ridiculous studies on breastfeeding do we need??? Aren't there any real issues out there for NIH?

I BF + supplemented for 2 kids and am so over this junk.