Your mother’s breastfeeding journey does not mean it will be the same as yours too. In the earlier times our mothers were not given enough information like us today about breastfeeding. It does not mean that your mom was not able to breastfeed mean you won’t be able to.
A percentage of women that cannot breastfeed is very low. This means that majority of women is very much capable of breastfeeding or producing milk. Some of those who could not maybe because of medical history.
4 possible conditions that likely have a genetic link and could be possible causes of a low milk supply.
1: Diabetes
Research has identified a link between insulin and breast milk production. If a mother’s body doesn’t make or use insulin as it should, she may have problems making enough milk.
2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a complex hormonal condition with features such as fertility problems, acne, obesity, excess body hair growth and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. PCOS could potentially affect a woman’s breast growth during pregnancy (an important time when breasts get ready to make milk). Even if enough glandular (milk-making) tissue is present in a woman’s breasts, hormonal problems associated with PCOS may interfere with her ability to make enough milk.
3. Thyroid Disease
Thyroid hormones play a role in normal breast development and helping the breasts to make milk. When a mother’s body doesn’t make enough of the thyroid hormones, her milk supply may be affected. Some breastfeeding mothers with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) struggle to make a full milk supply.
Women who have been appropriately treated for hypothyroidism report they having no problems with their milk supply.
4: Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT)
Breast size has nothing to do with a woman’s ability to make milk. It is the glandular tissue in a woman’s breasts that determines her milk-making ability and breast size does not reflect how much glandular tissue a mother has.
However, some women don’t have enough glandular tissue to make a full milk supply.
Women with IGT tend to have particular breast characteristics such as long tubular-shaped, widely spaced and asymmetrical breasts.
However, women with various breast characteristics can breastfeed successfully. Even if a mother has breasts that look hypo plastic (underdeveloped), she still may be able to make a full milk supply.
