From the Guidelines
To address low breast milk supply in the evening, it is crucial to focus on increasing overall milk production through frequent daytime nursing, proper latch, and complete breast emptying, as well as considering galactagogues and ensuring adequate hydration and nutrition, as supported by the most recent evidence 1.
Understanding Breast Milk Supply
Breast milk supply can fluctuate due to various factors including hormonal changes, frequency of feeding, and overall health of the mother. The concentration of fats in milk, for example, changes significantly during the 24-hour period, increasing during the afternoon and evening, and decreasing during the night 1.
Strategies to Increase Milk Supply
- Frequent Nursing: Nursing frequently during the day (every 2-3 hours) can help increase overall milk supply. This frequent stimulation signals the body to produce more milk.
- Proper Latch and Breast Emptying: Ensuring a proper latch and completely emptying each breast during feedings are crucial for effective milk removal and stimulation of milk production.
- Power Pumping: Adding power pumping sessions, especially after morning feedings when prolactin levels are highest, can help boost milk supply.
- Galactagogues: Certain foods and supplements like fenugreek, blessed thistle, and oatmeal are known to support lactation and may help increase milk supply.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Drinking plenty of water (at least 3 liters daily) and consuming an extra 300-500 calories from protein-rich foods can support milk production and overall health.
Importance of Professional Guidance
If supply issues persist, consulting a lactation consultant is advisable. They can provide personalized advice and, if necessary, recommend prescription medications like domperidone or metoclopramide to help increase prolactin levels and milk supply 1.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer just ends here.
From the Research
Low Breast Milk Supply by Evening
- Despite consistent breastfeeding during the day, some mothers may experience low breast milk supply by evening, which can be a concern for both the mother and the baby.
- According to 2, insufficient milk supply may be secondary to maternal conditions such as postpartum haemorrhage or breast reduction surgery, or infant factors such as tongue-tie or ill health.
Factors Affecting Milk Supply
- Frequent and effective milk removal is essential for maintaining a good milk supply, as stated in 3.
- Maternal characteristics, such as first-time breastfeeding, breastfeeding pumped milk, formula supplementation, and perceived insufficient milk, can influence the use of galactagogues to increase milk production, as reported in 3.
- Good attachment to the breast is crucial to reduce nipple pain and trauma, and to ensure adequate breast drainage and ongoing milk supply, as mentioned in 4.
Galactagogues and Milk Supply
- Galactagogues, such as herbal supplements or pharmaceuticals, are commonly used by breastfeeding women to increase milk supply, as discussed in 5 and 3.
- However, there is limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of galactagogues, and more research is needed to inform breastfeeding support, as stated in 3.
- Fenugreek, a popular galactogogue, has potential benefits and harms that need to be discussed during clinical consultations, as highlighted in 6.
Managing Low Milk Supply
- A thorough and thoughtful assessment of the situation is necessary to determine the cause of low milk supply, as recommended in 5.
- Healthcare providers can provide reassurance if milk supply is adequate or assist in resolving the problem if milk supply is low, as stated in 2.
- Lactation consultants may be beneficial in cases where infants have breastfeeding challenges due to anatomical issues or other factors, as mentioned in 4.