Low milk supply isn't always fixed by feeding more frequently

If you're worried that you're not making enough breast milk, one of the first things you may be told is:

“Just feed your baby more often.”

And while frequent breastfeeding can absolutely be part of supporting milk production, feeding more frequently doesn't automatically mean more milk is being removed.

This distinction matters.

Your breasts don't simply respond to how often your baby feeds. They respond to how effectively milk is removed.

If your baby is feeding frequently but milk transfer is inefficient, you may be spending more time at the breast without necessarily providing the effective milk removal signal your body needs to increase production.

So when I'm supporting a mother concerned about low milk supply, I don't just ask:

“How often is your baby feeding?”

I also want to understand:

“How effectively is your baby removing milk?”

What actually determines milk supply?

Breast milk production is a dynamic process.

As milk is removed from the breast, your body receives signals that milk is being used and needs to be replaced. The more effectively milk is removed, the stronger the signal to continue producing milk.

In simple terms:

Effective milk removal → signal to produce more milk → milk is replenished

This is why breastfeeding frequency is important.

Feeding frequently helps breast milk supply because it reduces the amount of time your breasts spend full. When milk accumulates in the breast, it sends signals that slow down milk production. Regular milk removal helps reduce breasts staying full, and signals your body to continue producing milk.

So, when your baby feeds frequently and effectively removes milk, your body receives more opportunities to replenish that milk.

But here's the important distinction:

Feeding frequently helps milk supply. Feeding frequently does not always mean milk is being removed effectively.

A baby may breastfeed many times a day, but if positioning or attachment is limiting milk transfer, the amount of milk removed may still be lower than expected.

This is why I don't look at feeding frequency in isolation.

I want to understand:

How often is your baby feeding?
and,
How effectively is your baby removing milk?

Because frequency creates opportunities for milk removal, but effective milk removal is what drives the signal to produce more milk.

But there is an important piece missing from the usual advice:

Frequency isn't the same as milk removal.

A baby can be at the breast frequently without effectively transferring milk.

And that's where breastfeeding biomechanics, positioning and attachment become important.

Why feeding more often doesn't always increase milk supply

Imagine your baby is breastfeeding 12 times or more a day.

At first glance, that sounds like plenty of stimulation. And frequent breastfeeding can absolutely help establish and maintain milk production.

But frequency alone doesn't tell us how much milk is actually being removed.

If your baby is feeding frequently, it doesn't necessarily mean your milk supply is low. Babies breastfeed often for many reasons, including hunger, comfort, periods of increased feeding, and their normal feeding patterns.

So rather than assuming frequent feeding means low supply, the more useful question is:

Is your baby effectively removing milk during those feeds?

Frequency creates opportunities. Milk removal drives the signal.

When your baby feeds, milk removal helps signal your body to continue producing milk. But if your baby is not transferring milk effectively, the amount removed may be lower than expected.

For example, your baby may be latched but:

• the attachment is shallow
• their body isn't well supported
• the position isn't allowing effective milk removal
• breast tissue drag is making it difficult to maintain a deep, comfortable attachment

In these situations, your baby may be feeding frequently without removing as much milk as they could.

And if milk removal is consistently inefficient, your body may not receive the same signal to replenish milk as effectively.

This is why simply adding more feeds isn't always the complete answer.

Sometimes the focus needs to be on helping your baby feed more effectively, rather than simply feeding more frequently.

Because frequent feeding helps create opportunities for milk removal, but effective milk removal is what tells your body how much milk to keep producing.

Milk transfer matters

When a baby is well positioned and deeply attached to the breast, they can generally remove milk more effectively.

Effective milk transfer means that the baby is not simply attached to the breast, but is able to effectively to remove milk.

This creates an important feedback loop:

Baby effectively removes milk → breast is emptied more effectively → body receives a stronger signal to replace milk → milk production is supported

This is one reason I look closely at positioning and attachment when supporting mothers who are concerned about supply.

What about food and water? Can nutrition increase milk supply?

Another common belief is that low milk supply is primarily caused by not eating enough or drinking enough water.

This is generally an oversimplification.

Your nutritional intake is important for your own health, recovery and nutrient stores, particularly during the demanding postpartum and breastfeeding period.

But drinking excessive amounts of water or simply eating more food does not automatically cause your breasts to produce substantially more milk.

Maternal nutrition can influence some aspects of breast milk composition, particularly certain nutrients, but milk volume is primarily regulated by the physiology of milk production and removal.

So if you're worried about supply, drinking another enormous glass of water isn't necessarily the missing piece.

How do you know if your baby is getting enough milk?

Milk supply should not be assessed by how full your breasts feel, how long your baby feeds for, or how frequently your baby wants to breastfeed alone.

Your baby's output, behaviour and growth provide much more useful information.

After the first week following birth, signs that your baby is getting enough milk can include:

• waking for feeds
• content between most feeds
• having around 6–8 odourless, wet nappies in 24 hours once milk intake is established
• passing soft stools appropriate for their age
• returning to birth weight by around 2 weeks
• gaining weight appropriately over time

For a young infant, weight gain should be assessed using their individual growth trajectory rather than a single number in isolation.

If you're concerned about your baby's intake or growth, Nicy can help. 

So, should you breastfeed more frequently?

Yes. Frequent, flexible feeds are encouraged. Offer the breast when your baby wakes, stirs, or shows signs of wanting to feed. This responsive approach allows your baby to feed according to their needs, rather than following a rigid schedule.

Frequent breastfeeding can increase opportunities for milk removal and is an important part of establishing and maintaining milk production, particularly in the early weeks.

But “feed more often” shouldn't be the entire plan when milk supply is a concern.

I'd rather look at the whole picture:

1. Feeding frequency

How often is your baby feeding?

2. Positioning

Is your baby's body positioned in a way that supports effective feeding?

3. Attachment

Is your baby deeply and comfortably attached?

4. Milk transfer

Is your baby actually removing milk effectively?

5. Baby's output

Are nappies and stools consistent with adequate intake?

6. Growth

Is your baby gaining weight and following their growth trajectory?

7. Maternal factors

Are there maternal or physiological factors that may be affecting milk production?

This gives us a much more useful picture than simply counting feeds.

When I support a mother with low milk supply, I start with two things

When a mother comes to me concerned about low milk supply, my first focus is usually feeding frequency and breastfeeding position.

Why?

Because these two factors help us understand whether the breast is being given enough opportunities for milk removal and whether those opportunities are actually effective.

If a baby is feeding frequently but milk transfer is poor, simply adding even more feeds can leave a mother exhausted without addressing the underlying problem.

Sometimes the goal isn't:

“How can we get your baby to breastfeed more?”

It's:

“How can we help your baby breastfeed more effectively?”

And that is a very different question.

Low milk supply isn't a mothers fault

If you've been told to drink more water, eat more oats, eat lactation cookies or simply put your baby to the breast more often, you may have walked away feeling like your body just isn't doing enough.

But breastfeeding is far more complex than that.

Milk production involves the interaction between your physiology, your baby's feeding behaviour, milk removal, positioning, attachment and milk transfer.

If you're experiencing low supply, you deserve more than a one-line solution.

When should you seek breastfeeding support?

Consider seeking individualised support if:

• your baby isn't gaining weight as expected
• you're concerned about low milk supply
• your baby feeds constantly but doesn't seem satisfied
• breastfeeding is painful
• your baby repeatedly comes off the breast
• feeds are very long or exhausting
• you're unsure whether your baby is transferring milk effectively
• you've been told your baby has a latch or oral-function issue
• you're mix feeding and would like support with exclusively breastfeeding
• you've tried increasing feeds but haven't noticed an improvement in supply

A thorough assessment can help identify whether the concern is related to milk production, milk transfer, feeding mechanics, or a combination of factors.

If you're looking for practical guidance to improve your breastfeeding experience, you may wish to start with my ebook, Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mothers. It provides step-by-step information on positioning, attachment and breastfeeding biomechanics, helping you understand how to achieve a deeper, more effective latch and support milk transfer.

For many mothers, this provides the practical guidance they need to make adjustments at home. If you continue to have concerns about milk supply, latch, positioning or milk transfer, a 1:1 Breastfeeding Consultation can provide personalised support for you and your baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does breastfeeding more often increase milk supply?

Frequent breastfeeding can support milk production by increasing opportunities for milk removal. However, frequency alone doesn't guarantee effective milk removal. If milk transfer is inefficient, simply increasing the number of feeds may not resolve low supply.

Can drinking more water increase breast milk supply?

Adequate hydration is important for maternal wellbeing, but drinking excessive amounts of water does not reliably increase milk production. If supply is a concern, effective milk removal is generally a more important area to investigate.

Can what I eat affect my breast milk supply?

Maternal nutrition is important for the mother's health and can influence some aspects of breast milk composition. However, simply eating more food does not necessarily increase milk volume.

How do I know if my baby is transferring milk?

Signs can include effective rhythmic sucking and swallowing, appropriate wet nappies, satisfaction after feeds and appropriate weight gain. A feeding assessment with Nicy can provide a much clearer picture of milk transfer.

Can poor positioning affect milk supply?

Positioning can influence how effectively a baby attaches to the breast and removes milk. If milk removal is consistently inefficient, this can affect the signals regulating milk production.

Worried About Low Milk Supply?

If you're breastfeeding and worried about low milk supply, you don't necessarily need to spend more time feeding, drink gallons of water, or start taking every supplement marketed for lactation.

First, let's understand what's actually happening.

Your baby's positioning, attachment and ability to effectively transfer milk can all influence how much milk is removed during a feed. And sometimes, improving the way your baby feeds can make a meaningful difference.

Start with Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mothers

My ebook, Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mothers, is a practical starting point for understanding breastfeeding biomechanics, positioning, attachment and milk transfer.

It gives you the knowledge and practical guidance to assess your baby's latch and make small adjustments that may help support more effective milk removal.

If you've worked through the guide and still have concerns about your milk supply, latch or milk transfer, a 1:1 Breastfeeding Consultation can provide personalised support for you and your baby.

Because sometimes the answer isn't simply feeding more frequently.