The Free Online Low Milk Supply Support Group

Community, Guidance, Education and Perspective.

Resources

General Information and Support for Low Milk SupplyLow Supply Mom
The feed of Kaia Lacy, a Certified Lactation Counselor with primary/chronic low supplyIGT and Low Milk Supply Support Group
A private community of people with primary/chronic low supply; open to those who meet the group's criteriaLow Milk Supply Foundation
An organization dedicated to supporting the chronic low milk supply community; check out their resources for parents, supporters and providerslatch.ie
The feed of Caoimhe Whelan, IBCLC, MSc, a researcher on low milk supply who leads another online low supply support groupUnderstanding Low Milk Supply: Definitions and Causes
A discussion of primary, secondary and perceived low milk supply from one of my mentors, Margaret Salty, MPH; also see part 2 of the seriesPhysician’s Guide to Breastfeeding
The website of breastfeeding medicine physician, breast surgeon and IBCLC Dr. Katrina Mitchell; also of note are her thoughts on insufficient glandular tissue and her photos of tubular breastsKellyMom
Tips on managing low supply from a respected reference on breastfeedingDebunking the 5 Percent Myth
Rachel O'Brien, an IBCLC with a master's in human lactation, on the unfounded but often-quoted statistic that 5 percent of lactating parents have low supplyHow Often Does Breastfeeding Just Not Work
A blog post by breastfeeding researcher and physician Dr. Alison StuebePostpartum Support International
Helpline, resources, and peer support groups focused on perinatal mental health; offers a monthly support group for breastfeeding griefDirectoriesFind a Physician
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine; providers see many patients with persistent low milk supplyFind an IBCLC
International Board-Certified Lactation ConsultantsFind a Milk Bank
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America, with links to milk banking associations in other regions; skip the first two paragraphs for information on receiving donor milkPumping and FormulaNew Little Life
Channel of Allison Tolman, IBCLC and breast pump expert (not specifically geared toward people who are pumping due to low supply)Infant Formula Preparation and Storage
CDC guidelines on safely preparing and storing infant formulaBreast Pump Hygiene
CDC guidelines on safely cleaning pump partsIs the Fridge Hack Safe?
Information from IBCLC and pump expert Jessica Anderson on one common method for storing flanges between uses; note that we do not endorse the fridge hack and recommend following CDC guidelines but believe parents who may already be using the fridge hack deserve more informationFlange FITS Guide
A method for fitting pump flanges/breast shields that many IBCLCs are adoptingHow to Do Paced Bottle Feeding
Bottle feeding best practice to promote continued feeding at breastBooks on Low Milk SupplyWhy Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma Matter by Amy Brown
Written by a professor of maternal and child public health whose research focuses on breastfeedingPractical Breastfeeding: An Illustrated Guide For Parents by Caoimhe Whelan
A general guide by an IBCLC and researcher on low supply, with a chapter on the topic and information about warning signs early in the book (note to professionals: prenatal resources that discuss the possibility of low supply and educate on when patients should seek prenatal lactation guidance are very important for our community and can prevent some of the shock and possible trauma of unexpected low supply)Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding with Insufficient Glandular Tissue by Diana Cassar-Uhl, MPH, IBCLCMaking More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production by Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC, and Diana West, BA, IBCLCPodcast EpisodesComing soon!Note: This list is a work in progress so please check back soon for updates.

• Journal Articles

A very incomplete list; please contact me if you know of an article I should add.

Articles on Low Milk Supply

Ajgaonkar, A., Debnath, T., Bhatnagar, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, J. (2025). Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2025.2564168Jin, X., Lai, C. T., Perrella, S. L., Zhou, X., Hassan, G. M., McEachran, J. L., Gridneva, Z., Taylor, N. L., Wlodek, M. E., & Geddes, D. T. (2025). Milk composition is predictive of low milk supply using machine learning approaches. Diagnostics, 15(2), 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15020191Manshanden, T. M. N., Abelha, S. G., Velzel, J., et al. (2025). Characteristics and experiences of lactating women with measured low milk production. International Breastfeeding Journal, 20, 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00753-1Scott, S. F., Searcy, J., & Jordan, I. (2025). “Why is there not a doctor that knows anything about this part of my body?” Patient perspectives on chronic lactation insufficiency. Breastfeeding Medicine, 20(8). https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2025.0018Whelan, C., O’Brien, D., & Hyde, A. (2025). Breastfeeding with primary low milk supply: A phenomenological exploration of mothers’ lived experiences of postnatal breastfeeding support. International Breastfeeding Journal, 20, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00699-4Golan, Y., [et al.]. (2025). Genomic characterization of normal and aberrant human milk production. Science Advances, 11, eadr7174. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr7174Kam, R. L., Amir, L. H., Cullinane, M., Ingram, J., Li, X., & Nommsen-Rivers, L. A. (2024). Breast hypoplasia markers among women who report insufficient milk production: A retrospective online survey. PLOS ONE, 19(2), e0299642. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299642Conrey, S. C., Nommsen-Rivers, L., Burrell, A. R., Staat, M. A., & Morrow, A. L. (2024). Early formula supplementation differs by maternal body mass index but does not explain breastfeeding outcomes in mothers who intend to exclusively breastfeed. Current Developments in Nutrition, 8(11), 104472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104472 (PMC)Conrey, S. C., Burrell, A. R., Staat, M. A., Washington, D. M., Taft, D. H., Nommsen-Rivers, L., & Morrow, A. L. (2024). Obesity and prenatal intention as predictors of meeting breastfeeding recommendations in an urban birth cohort. Breastfeeding Medicine, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2023.0207Grzeskowiak, L., Rumbold, A., Williams, L., Kam, R., Ingman, W., Keir, A., Martinello, K., & Amir, L. (2024). Effect of brewer’s yeast or beta-glucan on breast milk supply following preterm birth: The BLOOM study – Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. International Breastfeeding Journal, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00650-zJin, X., Perrella, S. L., Lai, C. T., Taylor, N. L., & Geddes, D. T. (2024). Causes of Low Milk Supply: The Roles of Estrogens, Progesterone, and Related External Factors. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 15(1), 100129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnKam, R., Bennetts, S. K., Cullinane, M., & Amir, L. (2024). “I didn’t want to let go of the dream”: Exploring women’s personal stories of how their low milk supply was discovered. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 40, 100953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100953Scott, S. F., & Bute, J. J. (2024). “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing”: How individuals who use infant formula understand the breastfeeding master narrative. Health Communication, 40(2), 321–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2344284Spatz, D. L., Álvarez Rodríguez, S., Benjilany, S., Finderle, B., von Gartzen, A., Yates, A., & Brumley, J. (2024). Having enough milk to sustain a lactation journey: A call to action. Nursing for Women’s Health, 28(4), 256–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2024.02.007Sullivan, R., Confair, A., & Hicks, S. D. (2024). Milk levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 identify mothers with low milk supply. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0305421. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305421Whelan, C., O’Brien, D., & Hyde, A. (2024). Mother's emotional experiences of breastfeeding with primary low milk supply in the first four months postpartum: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine, 19(3), 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2023.0231Hicks, S. D., Chandran, D., Confair, A., Ward, A., & Kelleher, S. L. (2023). Human milk-derived levels of let-7g-5p may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of low milk supply in breastfeeding women. Nutrients, 15(3), 567. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030567Lai, C. T., Jin, X., Zhou, X., Stinson, L. F., Wlodek, M. E., Perrella, S. L., Gridneva, Z., & Geddes, D. T. (2023). Biomarkers of low milk supply. Proceedings, 93(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2023093005Nommsen-Rivers, L. A., Cetinkaya, H., & Stuebe, A. M. (2023). Enabling breastfeeding for women with obesity. Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports, 12, 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-023-00365-8Nommsen-Rivers, L. A., Wagner, E. A., Roznowski, D. M., Riddle, S. W., Ward, L. P., & Thompson, A. (2022). Response to Verd et al. re: “Measures of maternal metabolic health as predictors of severely low milk production.” Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(11), 974–975. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.0193Spatz, D. L. (2022). Treatment of low milk supply. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 47(6), 361. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMC.0000000000000867Verd, S., Tur, A., & Mambie, M. (2022). Re: "Measures of Maternal Metabolic Health as Predictors of Severely Low Milk Production" by Nommsen-Rivers et al: Progression of Research to the Central Hypothesis That Waning Insulin Secretion Is an Important Cause of Low Milk Supply. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(11), 973. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.0168Conrey, S. C., Burrell, A. R., Mattison, C., Payne, D., Staat, M. A., Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A., & Morrow, A. M. (2022). Pre‑pregnancy obesity associated with lower odds of meeting breastfeeding recommendations when controlling for prenatal intentions. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(Suppl 1), 633. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac061.017Kam, R., Amir, L., & Cullinane, M. (2022). Response to Spatz re: "Is there an association between breast hypoplasia and breastfeeding outcomes? A systematic review." Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(1), 94–95. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.0094Nommsen-Rivers, L. A., Wagner, E. A., Roznowski, D. M., Riddle, S. W., Ward, L. P., & Thompson, A. (2022). Measures of maternal metabolic health as predictors of severely low milk production. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(7), 523–531. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0292Piccolo, O., Kinshella, ML.W., Salimu, S. et al. Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi. International Breastfeeding Journal 17, 14 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00460-1Walker, R. E., Harvatine, K. J., Ross, A. C., Wagner, E. A., Riddle, S. W., Gernand, A. D., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2022). Fatty acid transfer from blood to milk is disrupted in mothers with low milk production, obesity, and inflammation. The Journal of Nutrition, 152(12), 2716–2726. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac220Walker, R. E., Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A., Harvatine, K. J., Riddle, S. W., Ross, A. C., Wagner, E. A., & Gernand, A. D. (2022). Inflammation may alter the association between serum and milk fatty acid profiles in women with low milk production. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(Suppl 1), 723. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac061.107Bernardo, K., Hovey, R., Trott, J., Wagner, E., Karns, R., Riddle, S., Thompson, A., Ward, L., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2021). Hormone‑sensitive gene signatures in the mammary epithelial cells of lactating women with persistent low milk production. Current Developments in Nutrition, 5(Suppl 2), 720. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab046_017Farah, E., Barger, M. K., Klima, C., Rossman, B., & Hershberger, P. (2021). Impaired lactation: Review of delayed lactogenesis and insufficient lactation. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 66(6), 749–760. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13274Kam, R., Amir, L., & Cullinane, M. (2021). Is there an association between breast hypoplasia and breastfeeding outcomes? A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(1), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0032Shere, H., Weijer, L., Dashnow, H., Moreno, L. E., Scott, S. F., & Baker, H. (2021). Chronic lactation insufficiency is a public health issue: Commentary on “We need patient-centered research in breastfeeding medicine” by Stuebe. Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(12), 349–350. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0202Foong, S. C. et al. Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non‐hospitalised term infants. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (2020) doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011505.pub2.Roznowski, D. M., Wagner, E. A., Riddle, S. W., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2020). Validity of a 3‑Hour Breast Milk Expression Protocol in Estimating Current Maternal Milk Production Capacity and Infant Breast Milk Intake in Exclusively Breastfeeding Dyads. Breastfeeding Medicine, 15(10), 630–638. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2019.0182Colling, K., Ward, L., Beck, A., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2019). Contribution of maternal obesity to medically indicated and elective formula supplementation in a Baby‑Friendly hospital. Breastfeeding Medicine, 14(4), 236‑242. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2018.0185Grzeskowiak, L. E., Wlodek, M. E., & Geddes, D. T. (2019). What Evidence Do We Have for Pharmaceutical Galactagogues in the Treatment of Lactation Insufficiency?-A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 11(5), 974. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11050974Nommsen‑Rivers, L., Thompson, A., Riddle, S., Ward, L., Wagner, E., & King, E. (2019). Feasibility and acceptability of metformin to augment low milk supply: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(2), 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334418819465Brodribb W. (2018). ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting Maternal Milk Production, Second Revision 2018. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 13(5), 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2018.29092.wjbBrown, A. (2018). What do women lose if they are prevented from meeting their breastfeeding goals? Clinical Lactation, 9(4), 200–205. https://doi.org/10.1891/2158-0782.9.4.200Glover, A. V., Berry, D. C., Schwartz, T. A., & Stuebe, A. M. (2018). The association of metabolic dysfunction with breastfeeding outcomes in gestational diabetes. American Journal of Perinatology, 35(14), 1339–1345. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1626713Nommsen-Rivers, L. A., Riddle, S. A., Thompson, A., Ward, L., & Wagner, E. (2018). Milk production in mothers with and without signs of insulin resistance. The FASEB Journal, 31(Supplement 1), 650.9. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.31.1_ supplement.650.9Riddle, S. W., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2017). Low milk supply and the pediatrician. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 29(2), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000468Ward, L., Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A., & Riddle, S. (2017). Re: “ABM Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary feedings in the healthy term breastfed neonate, revised 2017” by Kellams et al. Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(9), 574–575. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2017.0081Kellams, A., Harrel, C., Omage, S., Gregory, C., & Rosen-Carole, C. (2017). ABM Clinical Protocol #3: Supplementary Feedings in the Healthy Term Breastfed Neonate, Revised 2017. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 12, 188–198. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2017.29038.ajkMurase, M., Wagner, E. A., Chantry, C. J., Dewey, K. G., & Nommsen‑Rivers, L. A. (2017). The relation between breast milk sodium to potassium ratio and maternal report of a milk supply concern. The Journal of Pediatrics, 181, 294–297.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.10.044Bazzano, A. N., Hofer, R., Thibeau, S., Gillispie, V., Jacobs, M., & Theall, K. P. (2016). A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breast-Feeding. Ochsner journal, 16(4), 511–524.Haase, B., Taylor, S. N., Mauldin, J., Johnson, T. S., & Wagner, C. L. (2016). Domperidone for Treatment of Low Milk Supply in Breast Pump-Dependent Mothers of Hospitalized Premature Infants: A Clinical Protocol. Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 32(2), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334416630539Nommsen-Rivers, L. A., Riddle, S. W., Thompson, A. A., Ward, L. P., & Wagner, E. A. (2016). Metformin to augment low milk supply: A protocol summary. The FASEB Journal, 30(Supplement 1), 1150.8. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1150.8Nommsen-Rivers, L. A. (2016). Does insulin explain the relation between maternal obesity and poor lactation outcomes? An overview of the literature. Advances in Nutrition, 7(2), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.011007Riddle, S. W., & Nommsen-Rivers, L. A. (2016). A case control study of diabetes during pregnancy and low milk supply. Breastfeeding Medicine, 11(2), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.0120Brown, A., Rance, J., & Bennett, P. (2015). Understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and postnatal depression: The role of pain and physical difficulties. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(11), 2738–2749. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12832Cromi, A., Serati, M., Candeloro, I., Uccella, S., Scandroglio, S., Agosti, M., & Ghezzi, F. (2015). Assisted reproductive technology and breastfeeding outcomes: a case-control study. Fertility and sterility, 103(1), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.10.009Paul, C., Zénut, M., Dorut, A., Coudoré, M. A., Vein, J., Cardot, J. M., & Balayssac, D. (2015). Use of domperidone as a galactagogue drug: a systematic review of the benefit-risk ratio. Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 31(1), 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334414561265Murase, M., Nommsen-Rivers, L., Morrow, A. L., et al. (2014). Predictors of low milk volume among mothers who delivered preterm. Journal of Human Lactation, 30(4), 425–435. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334414543951Grzeskowiak, L. E., & Amir, L. H. (2014). Pharmacological management of low milk supply with domperidone: separating fact from fiction. The Medical journal of Australia, 201(5), 257–258. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja14.00626Alok, S., Jain, S. K., Verma, A., Kumar, M., Mahor, A., & Sabharwal, M. (2013). Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 3(3), 242–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60049-3Budzynska, K., Gardner, Z. E., Low Dog, T., & Gardiner, P. (2013). Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: advice for clinicians on herbs and breastfeeding. Pediatrics in review, 34(8), 343–353. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.34-8-343Toronto Public Health. (2013). Breastfeeding Protocol #12: Insufficient Breast Milk Supply. Toronto, ON: Toronto Public Health. https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/8eb6-tph-breastfeeding-protocol-12-insufficient-breast-milk-2013.pdfDonovan, T. J., & Buchanan, K. (2012). Medications for increasing milk supply in mothers expressing breastmilk for their preterm hospitalised infants. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2012(3), CD005544. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005544.pub2Ingram, J., Taylor, H., Churchill, C., Pike, A., & Greenwood, R. (2012). Metoclopramide or domperidone for increasing maternal breast milk output: a randomised controlled trial. Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition, 97(4), F241–F245. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2011-300601Powe, C. E., Allen, M., Puopolo, K. M., Merewood, A., Worden, S., Johnson, L. C., Fleischman, A., & Welt, C. K. (2010). Recombinant human prolactin for the treatment of lactation insufficiency. Clinical endocrinology, 73(5), 645–653. https://doi.org/10

Morton, J., Hall, J. Y., Wong, R. J., Thairu, L., Benitz, W. E., & Rhine, W. D. (2009). Combining hand techniques with electric pumping increases milk production in mothers of preterm infants. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association, 29(11), 757–764. https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.87Baker, J. L., Michaelsen, K. F., Sørensen, T. I., & Rasmussen, K. M. (2007). High prepregnant body mass index is associated with early termination of full and any breastfeeding in Danish women. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 86(2), 404–411. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/86.2.404
Geddes D. T. (2007). Inside the lactating breast: the latest anatomy research. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 52(6), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2007.05.004
Neifert, M. R. (2001). Prevention of breastfeeding tragedies. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 48(2), 273–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-3955(05)70313-5Neifert, M., DeMarzo, S., Seacat, J., Young, D., Leff, M., & Orleans, M. (1990). The influence of breast surgery, breast appearance, and pregnancy-induced breast changes on lactation sufficiency as measured by infant weight gain. Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 17(1), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536x.1990.tb00007.xNeifert, M. R., Seacat, J. M., & Jobe, W. E. (1985). Lactation failure due to insufficient glandular development of the breast. Pediatrics, 76(5), 823–828.

• Contact

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Contact and More Info

• [email protected]
• 408-647-4677
• dianasolomonlactation.com

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• Acknowledgments

You may not even know it, but you helped me make this site.

Thank you!

Thanks to Kate, Sarah Quigley, Kaia Lacy, Margaret Salty, Rotem Pearlson, the Low Milk Supply Foundation, the IGT and Low Milk Supply Support Group, and my two favorite daughtersThanks to all of you for reading and sharing this site and for attending or recommending the group