Insufficient milk supply or complete absence of milk supply can occur postpartum. TCM foundations relate the secretion of breast milk directly to the mood, rest, and nutritional status of the mother. Negative emotions such as anxiety, panic, worry, or sadness can reduce milk supply. Low milk supply can also be related to other issues such as congenital breast dysplasia, history of breast disease, excessive postpartum hemorrhage, infection, diarrhea, etc.
According to TCM theory, this condition can be categorized into excess or deficiency, while comprehensive observation of the body is required to assess one of the following symptom differentiations:
- Phlegm-dampness type: Symptoms include obesity, failure to produce milk postpartum, chest tightness, poor appetite, severe dizziness, a large tongue with white and greasy coating, as well as a slippery pulse. The corresponding TCM treatment for this differentiation is to reinforce the spleen, remove dampness, resolve phlegm, and dredge milk.
- Liver qi stagnation type: Symptoms include feelings of depression, fullness of the chest and flank, thick or limited milk supply, swelling, hardness with pain in the breast, lack of appetite, feelings of mild heat, with normal tongue, yellow and thin coat, wiry and thin or wiry and rapid pulse. The corresponding TCM treatment for this differentiation is to sooth the liver, resolve stagnation, invigorate the collaterals and dredge milk.
- Blood-qi deficiency type: Symptoms include blood and qi deficiency from blood and qi loss during labour, deficiency of the spleen and stomach preventing production of qi and blood, as well as transformation of qi and blood into milk. Milk appears thin and breasts are soft without tenderness. Patient may exhibit fatigue, lack of appetite, pale complexion, pale tongue with lack of coat, as well as weak and thread pulse. TCM treatment for this differentiation involves tonifying qi and nourishing blood, supplemented by dredging of milk.
We utilize manual techniques, acupuncture, moxibustion, and conditioning using natural Chinese herbs as well as nutrition therapy grounded in TCM theory in order to help patients achieve satisfaction and complete independent breast feeding. Our approach aims to benefit breast health and prioritizes the healthy growth of your infant.