Breastmilk Supply- The Feedback Loop
How Breastmilk Is Made!
Breastmilk production is a biological process driven by hormones and milk removal.
After birth, the delivery of the placenta causes hormone levels to shift, signaling the body to begin producing larger volumes of milk. That’s right… it all starts with your placenta!
Two major hormones are involved:
• Prolactin — helps make milk
• Oxytocin — helps release milk during letdowns
Milk is produced in tiny grape-like structures in the breast called alveoli. From there, it travels through milk ducts to the nipple when baby nurses or milk is pumped.
Here’s the important part:
👉 Milk production works on a supply-and-demand system.
The more often milk is removed, the more milk the body is signaled to make. One more time… THE MORE YOU REMOVE…THE MIRE MILK YOU COULD POTENTIALLY MAKE!
When milk stays in the breast for long periods, a protein called FIL (Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation) tells the body to slow milk production. Frequent milk removal lowers FIL levels and encourages continued milk production.
That’s why:
• Frequent nursing or pumping helps increase supply
• Skipping feeds can signal the body to make less milk
• Babies who cluster feed are helping stimulate production
• “Empty” breasts are actually actively making more milk
Demand, Demand… here comes the Supply, Supply!
Milk removal is the driving force behind maintaining and increasing supply. Work with a lactation consultant to help you figure out what is the best feeding schedule for you!