One of our biggest frustrations in the lactation/breastfeeding support arena is that we have so little information to offer mothers who have a physiological barrier to breastfeeding — their bodies just don’t produce milk, even after other problems have been solved. I described this condition in this post at KellyMom.com.
Penny Liberatos, Ph.D. (New York Medical College) and I have launched a study, and we need as many mothers with hypoplasia/insufficient glandular tissue as possible to participate. This is the first study to comprehensively investigate the histories and experiences of breastfeeding women with low milk production due to mammary hypoplasia/insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). We have full IRB approval and intend to publish our findings, which we hope will be used to provide information and education to those who support breastfeeding mothers, as well as to inform future study of this population. Please share this link with mothers you know who may have hypoplasia/IGT, and if you found this post because YOU think hypoplasia/IGT might be contributing to your breastfeeding difficulties, please participate!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3GSGDCL
Thank you to everyone who has already completed the study — our first round of data analysis is underway. The time and care that went into each response is evident and is immensely appreciated.
[...] Please share this study widely, but particularly with moms you know have experienced this challenge. [...]
By: Supporting Birth & Breastfeeding Research on February 28, 2013
at 12:13 am
I’m thrilled to see someone doing a study about IGT, but having trouble answering some of the survey questions. The majority seem to assume that the survey-e became aware that their problem was caused by IGT with the first baby they tried to BF. I had issues with baby 1 and 2 but did not learn about IGT until between babies 2 & 3, I just knew I didn’t make enough milk.
By: Rachel on February 28, 2013
at 9:35 am
Thanks for your question. For the first baby questions, answer about how you felt when you realized you weren’t going to make enough milk to exclusively breastfeed. Answer the questions about hypoplasia for when you heard about hypoplasia, regardless of when that was. Feel free to fill in anything additional in the open-ended questions at the end of the study.
Thank you so much for your contribution!
Additional questions can be sent to IGTstudy2013@gmail.com — I’m sure to see them there.
By: Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC on February 28, 2013
at 12:08 pm
I have not been diagnosed with this condition (I don’t currently have a family Dr, as there is a shortage in my area) however I have one breast that is smaller then the other and slightly tubular in shape. I am currently breastfeeding my 3rd baby and this breast has always been a poor milk producer, where as the other produces well, for this reason I primarily nurse on the full breast and am therefore able to exclusively breastfeed. I am thin and was married young with a baby coming soon after, I did not notice a tubular shape (since both sides were small due to my thin frame) until after weening my first baby. I now wear an insert to equalize their appearance underclothes, with the plan to equalize them surgically once I am finished with pregnancy and breastfeeding. I’m not sure if my experience would be helpful in the study or not as this is about women who did not exclusively breastfeed due to this issue. Any info you have would be appreciated, as I’m happy to be of help to other women, if I can be. Thank you in advance.
By: Melissa H on March 12, 2013
at 8:40 am
Yes, Melissa, your story is valuable to us. If you have time to complete the study, it will be very helpful.
Thank you!
By: Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC on March 12, 2013
at 9:26 am
I decided to participate in the study even though my experience may not be exactly what they were looking for. Any information could be helpful in increasing understanding of this condition.
By: Melissa H on March 12, 2013
at 9:45 am
I’m excited to take this when I have a little quiet time! Thank you for what you’re doing, I found your site today. I have IGT, also not diagnosed due to a loss of insurance, but have every sign and issue of IGT.
By: megan on March 14, 2013
at 8:06 pm
Hi! Can you participate in the study if you were able to exclusively breastfeed? I don’t know the true source of my supply difficulties but have struggled with it from the beginning. I stopped producing milk on one side entirely and have nursed from one side only for almost 18 months now and have been nursing for almost 22 months total. Thanks!
By: Kerri on March 15, 2013
at 1:27 pm
Hi Kerri!
Yes, please participate, and thank you!
By: Diana Cassar-Uhl, IBCLC on March 15, 2013
at 4:54 pm
Kerri, I too had to nurse exclusively from the right side when the other (with symptoms of IGT) slowly stopped producing milk. I continued to nurse on that breast for a full year. And yes you should take the survey even if you could breastfeed exclusively. Every experience shared helps to understand the condition more.
By: Melissa H on March 15, 2013
at 4:53 pm
Great, thanks! I will definitely complete a survey.
By: Kerri on March 15, 2013
at 5:54 pm
This survey brought back a lot of emotions but I am glad to be able to contribute my experience to helping better understand this condition. I’m very interested in seeing the results.
By: Dani on May 10, 2013
at 6:18 pm