Short answer is yes, you can.
When supply is very low, a lot of parents feel they have two options: exclusively breastfeed or stop completely. But breastfeeding doesn't have to be all or nothing. Plenty of families keep a breastfeeding relationship going for months while most of their baby's nutrition comes from a bottle. Here's how.
Why some parents have very low supply
Sometimes supply stays low even when you're doing everything right: frequent feeds, pumping, a good latch, maybe even medication. There's usually a reason, and it's rarely anything you did wrong.
Insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). Some people simply don't have as much milk-making tissue. Clues can include breasts that are widely spaced, tubular or very different in size, and little to no breast change during pregnancy or after birth. Puffy nipples or a bulb shape can also be a clue. IGT is more common than most people realize, and it's often missed.
A really rough start. A hard birth and early postpartum can affect supply for months. A large blood loss, retained placenta, an emergency C-section, a baby in the NICU, or time apart in the first days can all delay or reduce milk coming in. So can a baby who couldn't feed well early on, or supplements that weren't paired with pumping. When you're just trying to get through those first weeks, protecting supply often isn't possible, and that's understandable.
Previous breast surgery. Reductions, some augmentations and other procedures can affect milk ducts or nerves.
Hormonal factors. PCOS, thyroid conditions, diabetes and fertility challenges can all play a role in how much milk you make.
It's still worth working with a lactation consultant to make sure nothing has been missed. But if you've given it a real try and your supply is what it is, that's not a failure. It just means your breastfeeding will look a little different.
Does a small amount of milk even matter?
It can. Breast milk contains antibodies, immune cells, oligosaccharides and other protective factors, and its benefits are generally dose-related. However, we don’t know what the minimum is to reach some of those benefits.
Milk isn't the only thing breastfeeding offers. It's comfort, closeness, a way to settle a fussy baby, and for many parents, something they really want to keep. That counts too.
Ways to keep breastfeeding with low supply
Offer the breast while the bottle is being prepped. Let your baby latch while you or your partner gets the bottle ready. They get whatever milk is there at the start of the feed, and the breast stays part of mealtime. If your baby gets very upset at the breast, switch to the bottle sooner. You don't want the breast to become a frustrating place.
Offer the breast after the bottle for comfort. Once your baby has had their full bottle, bring them back to the breast to finish or wind down. A full, calm baby is often happy to nurse for comfort, and those sessions keep the connection going (though bottle feeding can also provide connection and closeness).
Use comfort nursing throughout the day. Settling for naps, soothing after a bump, or calming during a vaccine appointment are all good times to offer the breast.
Try an at-breast supplementer. A supplemental nursing system lets your baby get their top-up through a thin tube at the breast, so the whole feed happens there. It isn't for everyone, but some families find it to be a great tool that allows them to do both.
Pace your bottles. Paced bottle feeding slows the flow so the bottle doesn't feel so much easier than the breast, which helps your baby stay happy to nurse.
Consider not pumping anymore if you are getting below 30 mL per session. Instead, latch the baby every 3 hours before or after feeds in hopes that they would transfer that milk instead. This means you aren’t stuck pumping every few hours and your baby can get breastmilk without all of the extra steps. It would be worth seeing a lactation consultant to make sure the baby is able to transfer that milk otherwise your supply would decrease.
Redefining what success looks like
Success with low supply isn't a number on the pump. It might be a morning nurse in bed, comfort feeds through the day, or a baby who falls asleep at the breast every night. If it matters to you, it's worth protecting.
If you'd like help finding a rhythm that works for your family, or you want to make sure nothing has been missed with your supply, I'm happy to help.
