Is breast size relevant for milk production?

Question

My daughter is now 3 weeks old and I have tried everything to produce more milk with not a lot of luck, is it possible that if you have small breasts, that maybe you don't make as much as a women with larger breasts?

Answer 1

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

it's totally not, don't worry :P

I know plenty of girls who are so flat that I marvel they can breastfeed at all, and they're constantly leaking with so much excess. On the other hand, I'm a DD and ended up not breastfeeding because I just couldn't produce enough.

If it gets to be such a problem for you and the baby though, you can always supplement with other breastmilk (buy it at the hospital) or formula if your baby can take a bottle without too much nipple confusion... or you can get pills from the doc to boost your milk production.

Answer 2

Breast size has nothing to do with milk production. The best way to produce more milk is to feed often. The more you feed the more milk you will produce. It's simple supply and demand. That may sound weird, but it's true. I had trouble producing enough milk for my little one when she was first born. She ended up with jaundice and had to have supplemental feedings for the first three weeks. However, in the end we got it together and I produce enough milk for her needs. She's nine months old now and still nursing well. Here's a great website that I have gone back to time-and-time again. It's a site from the UK with great links to questions and answers. You may find some other useful help. You can also call the lactation nurse at the hospital, if you delivered there. They are great for free advise, too.

Answer 3

I'm not totally sure, I'm just going off of how it was for my wife and our daughter at about that time. In time your body will produce more milk, even now it may be a bit painful for you to breast feed, but from what I can see...you'll get used to it in time and your body will realize the amount of milk is demanded and will begin to produce more and more. It may get to a point where it kinda hurts your breast if you child doesn't feed as often because the ducts are full...

To answer you initial question, no...I do not think size is relevant for milk production.

Answer 4

No, breast size does not influence milk production. Large breasts have more adipose tissue than smaller ones, but usually a similar amount of milk ducts.
Try seeing a lactation consultant on ways to increase milk production. You might also look up your local chapter of La Leche League.
Nurse your baby at least every 2 hours, then pump after she eats. I know this is time consuming and exhausting, I went through the same thing with my daughter.
Fenugreek works for some women to increase milk.
Breast milk is the best start for your baby. Good for you in your endeavors to do this for you child.

Answer 5

Breast size usually has nothing to do with it.

Milki production is a "supply and demand" thing, If your bewbs don't get milk "demanded" from them then they won't supply!

Here's what you can do: Find a breastfeeding support group in your area. You can ask your doctor where one is or check the phonebook. Call them an rent a high-quality breast pump. You'll probably have to spend about 20 bucks to get a "starter kit" (the parts that go on your body etc) and pay a certain amount to rent the pump, but its not too expensive. It's WORTH IT. Pump every couple of hours. Your milk production will increase significantly.

Good Luck!
~C

Answer 6

Some women's body can produce breast milk better than others. Breast size has no reflection. I have know women that were large that could not produce enough milk, and I've known women who were an A or B cup and had more than enough. So.. if it is not working out switch to a formula, it's in your babies best interest.

Answer 7

Not at all. Don't be discouraged or give up on Breast feeding. I raised both boys this way and they have imunities and good health thanks to this. Your child may be going through a growth spurt at this time don't worry. They nurse more, because it is a supply and demand thing. She will adjust in a few days and don't worry she is starving far from the truth. Contact La Leche League in your area for further help. Don't give up and you are doing the best thing for your child. You can find help listed above and most of the time their numbers are in the newspaper or phone book or call your Doctor or Local Hospital for information about this Group. La Leche is spainish for the milk. There is a shrine to the Mother of La Leche is Florida. I just wish I could help you more. I know from Experience this is a very trying time for you and what you need is total encouragement. Good luck and best wishes. doneda [e-mail]

Answer 8

No, small breasts do not produce less milk. Try nursing more often, that will have something to do with how much milk you have. But you should really see a lactation consultant or visit your local Le Leche League. Either should be able to help you BUT if you do not feel comfortable please feel free to give formula. Breast milk is best (and I breastfeed all of mine and by the way only had trouble with the last) but there is nothing wrong with formula. Nothing bad will happen to your child if you give it formula. Email if you want to chat....

Answer 9

Recent research has shown that women who have small storage capacity in their breasts (and, in many cases, these are women with *large* breasts) can still produce plenty of milk for a baby or even for twins. However, their babies will often nurse more often than a woman who has larger storage capacity. In other words, a baby who needs 48 ounces of milk a day will *need* to nurse at least 12 times a day if her mother can only store 4 ounces, while another baby who needs 48 ounces a day may only nurse 4 times a day if his mother can store 12 ounces.

The bottom line is that if you nurse your baby *whenever* she/he needs to nurse--even if it was "only an hour ago" that she/he last nursed, there will be plenty of milk.

I hope this helps!!

Answer 10

Size has no effect I was in a DD cup when I had my first child and my milk production was very slow but with my second child I produced enough to feed him and a small country and I was in a DDD by the second child. Size does not matter it depends on the amount of milk ducts that you have in your breasts.

Answer 11

The siz of the breasts play no role in milk. There are sacs in the breasts that in your 7th or 8 th month get "ready' sometimes you have alot of milk and sometimes you aren't very lucky. ITs ok not to breast feed, I tried soo hard with my son but he just would not latch. It turns out that he has low muscle tone in his mouth. I was soo devisated when I couldn't. I am going to try again with my 2nd. BUt if you want to really talk about this I suggest talking with your doctor or even better yet a Local La Leche group. look on line at their web site, and give your location. OR go to your hospital. GOod luck!