Hello friends, today I want to talk about IGT.I feel like it really isn’t spoke about too much. Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT) refers to a condition in which a woman’s breast tissue does not develop or function adequately to produce enough milk supply for breastfeeding. It is also known as hypoplasia of the mammary glands or breast hypoplasia.

Women with IGT typically have breasts that are underdeveloped and contain fewer milk-producing glands. It has nothing to do with breast size. Women with large breast can also suffer from IGT.

I never knew of IGT until my last pregnancy. I thought that the three failed times before were my fault and that I did something wrong and could not produce enough milk. I thought ok, this time I have got this! I know how to latch baby, I know what herbs and foods to eat, I know to drink water and eat enough. But, yet again the 1st time I pumped in my 4th pregnancy I got drops. Literally nothing! I was so sad! My baby was jaundice and starving! I remember the first time I supplemented with formula; baby Joshua slept like a champ. His belly was finally full.

It’s important to note that while IGT can cause challenges for breastfeeding, it does not mean that a woman cannot breastfeed at all. Every situation is unique, and with the right support and help, some women with IGT may still be able to breastfeed partially or exclusively. There are even little gadgets that you can attach to your nipple to supplment at the breast.

For me, I triple fed my son for the first three months. Triple feeding is when you breast fed the baby, supplement with formula and pump. I triple fed every two hours around the clock. Only to make 1oz per session. Pumping consumed my whole life, but I will say a portable pump did make things way easier when I needed to go grocery shopping or out. That way I would never miss a session. Emptying frequently signals to your body that you need milk. I am so proud of myself for making it to one year pumping and giving my baby what I could.

All we can do is our best no matter how you feed your baby. Some women think that if you do this and that then you can increase your milk supply but unfortunately that is not always the case. I wish more women knew about this condition. I feel like there is a lot of pressure to breast feed. And when we can’t we feel bad or like a failure. Women with IGT shouldn’t feel bad but should look at the positive, you tried! You’re feeding your baby no matter how you’re feeding them. A healthy baby is a fed baby.