Exploring the epidemiology of insufficient breast milk secretion: Insights from Aligarh and surrounding regions

Introduction: Insufficient breast milk secretion affects atleast 15% of women and has been a leading factor responsible for disobedience of exclusive breastfeeding practice world wide. Breast discomfort, sore nipples, mastitis, inverted nipples, presence of breast implants are other factors which troubles getting the infant to suck. Therefore, poor weight gain of the babies, hypernatremia and dehydration owing to insufficient milk intake are all common issues that women encounter while breastfeeding their babies. Low breast milk supply can be caused by a variety of factors, most of which are concerned with breast feeding management and are easily correctable. These issues necessitate a thorough understanding of nursing techniques. Therefore, enhancing mother's own milk production is most fruitful among all remedies by correcting the underlying cause with use of drugs capable of amplifying the breast milk secretion. This can be achieved with use of galactogogues. 
Material and methods: This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of insufficient breast milk secretion in lactating women having baby less than 1 month of age. 
Observation and Result: In our study, low breast milk secretion is more prevalent in women 21-27 yrs of age of upper middle socioeconomic class who delivered the baby by LSCS and are non-working. The prevalence is almost similar in both primi and multiparous women.
Conclusion: Despite of the availability of better health facilities, insufficient breast milk secretion is quite high and needs to be addressed as early as possible by proper breast feeding counselling and following WHO recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding practice in order to meet the WHO and UNICEF target of 70% prevalence of EBF by 2030.