Low Milk Supply & Breast Hypoplasia: Emily’s Birth Story & Breastfeeding Challenges | Episode 48

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Emily to walk through a birth & breastfeeding story that truly took some unexpected turns - from a super fast-moving labor that started out feeling empowering and intense, to a shift in momentum that led to more interventions than she had planned. She shares what it was like navigating that experience in real time, including the emotional and physical challenges of labor stalling, making decisions around pain management, and ultimately bringing her baby girl into the world after a 24 hour labor and unpredictable journey. But where this conversation really deepens is in the postpartum period.Emily opens up about her breastfeeding journey and the confusion, frustration, and heartbreak she experienced when things weren’t working the way she expected. After 8 weeks of trying everything and not getting clear answers, she was eventually diagnosed with breast hypoplasia, also known as insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), a primary cause of low milk supply that’s not often talked about. We discuss the gaps in education and support around low supply, the emotional weight of feeding struggles, and what it looks like to redefine your expectations while still maintaining a meaningful breastfeeding relationship.More from Emily Shapiro:Connect with Emily on IG: @n.ight.garden or you can email her at [email protected] birth + breastfeeding resources include:The Breastfeeding Blueprint course by The Labor MamaWhapio Diane BartlettHelpful Timestamps:00:00 Low Milk Supply01:46 Welcome Emily Shapiro04:25 Birth Plan and Hospital Reality09:56 Arriving at 7 Centimeters12:45 Water Tub Relief and Transition14:59 Labor Stalls & Making Decisions25:49 Postpartum: Low Supply Challenges32:45 Breast Hypoplasia Diagnosis Explained44:51 Takeaways on Low Supply47:04 Resources and Where to ConnectAbout your host:🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️Connect with Lo more on: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | PINTEREST | FACEBOOKDisclaimerOpinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.Additionally, we may make a small commission from some of the links shared with you. Please know, this comes at no additional cost to you, supports our small biz, and is a way for us to share brands and products with you that we genuinely love.Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast ServicesMentioned in this episode:TBB 20% off ad link