Becoming a mother would be a great bliss for every woman. Every mother will be waiting for the moment to take her child into her arms and provide the basic needs to her baby. Breastfeeding is very important as it improves the baby’s immune system, digestion and also reduces the risk of serious problems.

The milk usually starts producing after 3 to 5 days of delivery. But, few medical birthing procedures and medical complications can delay the lactation process. If the lactation does not set in even after 5 days of delivery, there could be some underlying reason.

Reasons for Delay or Low Supply of Milk Production

Some of the breastfeeding mothers face difficulty to produce breast milk due to various reasons. It is important to understand the reasons for no or low milk production.

• If there is a huge blood loss during delivery, there can be a delay in milk production.
• Hormonal disorders such as thyroid, diabetes, ovarian syndrome can cause low milk supply.
• Improper lifestyle and diet during pregnancy can impact breast milk production.
• Taking certain medicines and herbs during pregnancy can also affect breast milk production.
• Prolonged bed rest during pregnancy can also lead to low milk production.
• Some women do not have enough milk making ducts. These ducts grow during pregnancy, but this may be less with a second or third child in these women.
• Previous breast surgeries such as breast reduction or enhancement can damage the milk ducts in the nipple. The effect on breast milk production varies based on how the procedure was performed.
• Some breastfeeding mothers who take birth control pills may experience a drop in the production of milk.
• When you do not feed your baby frequently, the breasts do not become empty and thereby the milk production decreases.
• Use of certain birth medications during labour can also reduce breast milk production.
• Women would face several issues while delivering a baby. The stress caused during a difficult delivery can also impact milk production.
• Milk production is based on the storage capacity of breasts. Few women may have larger breasts with low storage capacity and vice versa. The milk production would be low if there is less storage size.

Treatment Options

Do not rush to your doctor immediately. Wait for some time to let your body naturally start the lactation process. If your baby is latching properly, you are feeding your baby for every 2 to 3 hours and still, you do not see any increase in your breast milk production, then you need to visit your doctor.

There could be several medical conditions that affect breast milk production. The doctor performs the required tests to determine the underlying cause. Most of the issues that cause low milk supply can be treated successfully. The only thing you need to do is to choose the right doctor.

Visit Sai Siva Children’s Hospital Today

Are you facing problems with milk production? Visit Sai Siva Children’s hospital. It is one of the best children hospitals in Hyderabad. We have a team of doctors who assist the smooth transition of every stage of your child’s growth. Book your appointment right away to address your problem.