From Mystery to Mechanism: Understanding Low Milk Supply to Enhance Breastfeeding Outcomes

Webinar: From Mystery to Mechanism: Understanding Low Milk Supply to Enhance Breastfeeding Outcomes. This session will be led by Prof. Donna Geddes, DMU, PostGrad Dip. (Sci), PhD, and is designed for clinicians seeking to strengthen their understanding of low milk production and its impact on breastfeeding outcomes.

Low milk supply is the most cited reason for early breastfeeding cessation, yet it remains one of the least understood aspects of human lactation physiology. Here we address the critical knowledge gap between the prevalence of low milk production and our limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms. We will explore how to accurately define and diagnose low milk supply, examine the multifactorial causes including hormonal, metabolic, anatomical, and molecular factors that impair milk synthesis. Importantly, we will highlight exciting advances in diagnostic approaches, including milk composition biomarkers for early identification of at-risk mothers. Finally, we will discuss emerging molecular and hormonal treatment strategies that hold promise for enhancing milk production. This session aims to bridge the gap between clinical challenges and research opportunities, ultimately improving outcomes for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.