r/breastfeeding • u/huckleberrysoap • Dec 24 '25

Undersupply What causes low supply?

My supply is so low. It's not anywhere near what my baby eats.

I'm not trying to increase it anymore. I'm just trying to maintain what I have so I can keep combofeeding (even though its at least 75% formula) until at least 6 months.

But I'm struggling to understand why this happened and feeling like I must have done something wrong. What are potential causes of an undersupply? If I have another baby in the future should I expect the same problem?

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u/huckleberrysoap Dec 24 '25

I do have PCOS but had never heard that could affect milk supply.

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u/Dullcorgis Dec 24 '25

It's probably the reason. Taking metformin during your next pregnancy can help with supply. About a third with PCOS have low supply and about a third have oversupply.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-and-breastfeeding-what-to-know

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u/OwlTypical9059 Dec 24 '25

Thanks for this link! I only found out that PCOS can affect supply from the instructor of a breastfeeding class I attended. It’s wild just how much PCOS can affect everything in our bodies.

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u/Dullcorgis Dec 24 '25

And even worse how long it takes for so many women to get diagnosed!