Milk supply query

[rugbykaf]

Hi there,
a question I've been wondering about for a while . . . if baby can never really "empty" a breast and milk is not really stored but made on demand (have I got this right?) . . . then how can people ever have "supply issues"?

Hope someone can answer my question. Thanks in advance x

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Well a lot of "issues" with supply are not actually issues (this article was really good http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/low-supply/ ). But for sure things like medical issues on the mom's part or baby's part can truly cause low supply (the article covers both things quite nicely).

 

[*Ali*]

I agree with Heidi that many are worrying unnecessarily.

Those who do truly struggle would still be making milk all the time but less of it so baby would have to work longer and harder at the breast to get at the little milk there is.  So think of it as a tap dripping rather than running freely.   Babies often get frustrated and give up or they get too tired to work for the milk.

[rugbykaf]

Ah I see! Thank you both, I knew I'd get a knowledgeable answer on BW x