Top Causes of Low Milk Supply •Under-stimulated Breasts (Most Common): Feeding too infrequently, skipping sessions, or using a poor-fitting breast pump flange. •Poor Latch/Milk Transfer: If the baby cannot effectively remove milk due to a poor latch, tongue-tie, or weak suck, the body slows production. •Supplementation: Giving formula instead of breastmilk reduces the baby’s demand on the breast. Hormonal/Medical Issues: •Retained Placenta: Retained placenta fragments prevent progesterone from dropping, which delays or prevents milk from "coming in". •Thyroid Conditions: Hypothyroidism (especially autoimmune/Hashimoto’s) or, conversely, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. •PCOS & Diabetes: Metabolic conditions can interfere with milk production. •Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage: Significant blood loss during delivery can delay lactation. Certain Herbs are beneficial to increase a mother's milk supply. - Fenugreek: (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Often used in doses of greater than 3500 mg daily. This herb acts by stimulating sweat production (breast tissue is a modified sweat gland). SAFETY NOTE: Fenugreek can often cause gastrointestinal (GI) irritation. High doses (e.g., >100 grams of seeds daily) are more likely to cause significant intestinal distress. - Goat's Rue: (Galega officinalis): Known to increase milk volume, it acts as a galactagogue. (A galactagogue works by increasing prolactin levels or blocking dopamine (which suppresses milk production). SAFETY NOTE: Blood Sugar: Goat's rue can lower blood sugar. If you are diabetic or have low blood sugar, consult a doctor before using it. - Moringa (Moringa oleifera): Studies consistently indicate that moringa leaf supplementation can increase milk production, with some studies showing an increase in daily volume by 135–400 mL. - Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) & Nettle: Often used in combination with other herbs to support milk supply. Blessed Thistle is often paired with Fenugreek.