THE NIGHT SHE ALMOST QUIT — A STORY ABOUT LOW MILK SUPPLY & WHAT ACTUALLY HELPED
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
It was 3am. Her baby had been at the breast for what felt like hours, and she was the one crying. The baby had finally fallen asleep. But she was sitting in the dark, staring at a pumping output that barely covered the bottom of the bottle, wondering if she was failing.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Low milk supply is one of the most common concerns I hear from the mamas I work with — and it is also one of the most misunderstood.
WHAT LOW SUPPLY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE
Here is what most people do not tell you: true low supply is less common than we think. What often looks like low supply is actually a transfer issue, a latch issue, a flange fit issue, or simply a mama who has been told her body is not enough — when it absolutely is.
Signs that your supply may genuinely need support include: your baby consistently seems unsatisfied after feeds, slow weight gain, fewer wet diapers than expected, or you are exclusively pumping and seeing a sustained drop in output over time.
But before you assume the worst — let us look at the full picture together.
WHAT ACTUALLY HELPS
When a client comes to me with supply concerns, the first thing I do is slow down. We look at how often baby is feeding, how long feeds last, whether the latch is drawing milk effectively, and how mama is doing emotionally — because stress and exhaustion are real physiological factors in milk production.
From there, we build a plan. That might include adjusting feed frequency, addressing latch mechanics, optimizing pump settings and flange sizing, incorporating galactagogue herbs like Moringa, Shatavari, and fennel, and supporting circulation and letdown with tools like the Mama's Flow Roller.
YOU ARE NOT FAILING
That mama at 3am was not failing. She was fighting for her baby with everything she had. And what she needed was not a formula recommendation — she needed someone to sit with her, assess what was actually happening, and give her a real plan.
That is exactly what we do at The Breast Choice Lactation Services.
If your supply needs support, our Mama's Flow Roller was made for moments like this. It supports circulation and letdown so your body can do what it was designed to do. Shop the link in bio — and if you need more than a product, book a consultation. We are here.
With Gratitude,
Tiffani Dickerson RN IBCLC
