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Milk supply and breastfeeding decisions: the effects of new mothers’ experiences

Amy Brown Orcid Logo

NCT Perspectives, Volume: 29

Swansea University Author: Amy Brown Orcid Logo

Abstract

In the UK significant numbers of mothers stop breastfeeding in the early weeks, typically before they are ready, commonly citing poor milk supply. This review considers how the physiological issue of poor milk supply can often be explained by psychological, social and cultural factors rather than bi...

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Published in: NCT Perspectives
Published: 2015
Online Access: https://www.nct.org.uk/system/files/related_documents/Brown%20Milk%20supply%20and%20breastfeeding%20decisions.pdf
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa25036
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Abstract: In the UK significant numbers of mothers stop breastfeeding in the early weeks, typically before they are ready, commonly citing poor milk supply. This review considers how the physiological issue of poor milk supply can often be explained by psychological, social and cultural factors rather than biological impediment. It unpicks how, whilst biological inability to breastfeed should affect a very small minority of women, considerable numbers of new mothers report insufficient breastmilk supply, ultimately leading to a decision to stop breastfeeding.This article aims to provide an overview of:• how breast milk supply is established;• the difference between primary physiological inability to breastfeed and poor milk supply as a result of feeding experience;• the layers of psychological, social, and cultural factors that affect milk supply and hence infant feeding decisions; and• messages for breastfeeding support.
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences