Initiating breast milk supply

Initiating breastfeeding and breast milk supply

• Mothers are more likely to stop breastfeeding when they feel their milk supply is inadequate
• Mothers who have lactation risk factors often require extra support to establish their milk supply
• Early identification of women with risk factors for delayed secretory activation (lactogenesis II) is vital
• The first hours and days after birth are critical for mother and infant to effectively start to build milk supply

Starting things right

• Effectively “switching on” the breasts from the beginning (initiation) is required for mothers to achieve adequate milk volumes
• Getting it  right from the beginning has a significant impact on a mother’s long-term milk production

Our step-by-step ‘Initiation’ infographic shows how mothers can get their milk supply off to a good start to enable exclusive breastfeeding or an exclusive human milk diet if breastfeeding is not possible.

Maternal risk factors for poor milk supply

• There are several risk factors which may affect whether a mother can exclusively breastfeed
• Awareness of risk factors can highlight a need for extra early breastfeeding support
• Early intervention is essential for at-risk mothers to help them achieve their long-term breastfeeding goals

This infographic on lactation risk factors provides more information on evidence-based clinical steps needed to support these mothers.

White paper: Improving delayed lactogenesis and suppressed lactation in at-risk mothers

This white paper gives you an overview of how to identify mothers:

• at risk for delayed onset of milk production
• with multiple risk factors
• whose infants are not breastfeeding effectively

Download the white paper on improving delayed lactogenesis.