Part of the Milk Supply 101 series - a gentle, clear guidance for breastfeeding mums.
If you’ve ever worried that your milk supply is dipping, you’re not alone. Almost every breastfeeding mum questions it at some point. The good news? Many of the “warning signs” mums stress over aren’t actually signs of low supply at all.
At Milk & Bloom, we want you to feel confident, not second-guessing. Here are five common things that do not mean your supply is low, even if they sometimes feel worrying.
5 things that aren’t signs of low supply
1. Your breasts feel soft
After the first few weeks your body regulates and breasts often feel softer. This is normal and does not mean there’s no milk. Softer breasts usually mean your supply has adapted to your baby’s needs.
2. Your baby feeds often or cluster feeds
Frequent feeds are part of how breastfeeding works. Babies feed more to encourage your body to make more milk. Cluster feeding, especially in the evenings, is usually totally normal.
3. Baby takes a bottle after breastfeeding
Bottles often have a faster, easier flow than the breast. If bub takes a bottle after a feed, it doesn’t necessarily mean they were still hungry, sometimes it’s just easier to get extra milk from a bottle.
4. You don’t leak or feel let-down sensations
Not everyone leaks, and not everyone feels the tingling of let-down. These are just individual differences. Lack of noticeable let-down does not equal lack of supply.
5. Baby is fussy at the breast
Fussiness can come from many places - tiredness, teething, reflux, or a need for comfort. Use nappies, weight gain, and general behaviour as the better indicators of how feeding is going.
A gentle reminder
Your body is built to feed your baby, and most of the time it’s doing exactly that. If you’re ever unsure, checking nappies, weight and speaking with a lactation consultant (IBCLC), midwife or GP can give you the reassurance you need.