Delay in supply.

Written By Sarah Peck

When I first started as a nurse in the NICU, I was taught that a breastfeeding mother should expect her supply to increase 3-5 days after birth. It was only after I started my training to become an IBCLC that I realized that there are many factors that can delay this timeline. I want to share some reasons that your supply may be delayed after delivery:

  • Maternal Hemorrhage

  • Magnesium drip

  • Pre-eclampsia

  • Diabetes

  • Thyroid disorder

  • Placenta retention

  • Traumatic birth

  • C-section birth

  • Preterm infant birth

  • Severe stress

  • Obesity

  • Infection 

  • Prolonged bed rest

  • PCOS

Wow, that’s a lot, right? These are just SOME of the reasons that it may not take just 3 days to see an increase in supply. Breastfeeding, for me, is a mind/body process. If anything disrupts the connection between the mind and the body - whether it is stress, hormonal changes, infection, trauma - it is going to have an impact on the breastfeeding process. 

And remember:  Whatever you decide to do during that process when it comes to lactation is YOUR choice!

Sarah Peck
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