It is common for new parents to ask if breastfeeding challenges are hereditary. Perhaps their mother was unable to breastfeed or did not breastfeed long. They may wonder if this means they will have difficulty too.

Generally, many breastfeeding challenges are related to breastfeeding management and not hereditary physiological challenges. That said, there are certainly a few cases which could be hereditary.

Many Breastfeeding Challenges Are Related to Breastfeeding Management

Breastfeeding is the human physiological norm. This means that most birthing parents are physically capable of breastfeeding. Certainly, there are people unable to breastfeed, but this is an exception rather than a rule.

In most cases, breast tissue will increase during pregnancy. When the placenta detaches, the hormones signal the body to lactate. Some will leak milk during pregnancy, others will not. Leaking or not leaking during pregnancy is not indicative of supply once birth occurs.

The hormonal changes when the placenta detaches, along with skin-to-skin and latching, triggers milk production. Continued latching, skin-to-skin, or pumping if baby is unable to latch, all aid in establishing breastfeeding.

When a client says their parent had difficulty breastfeeding, it can be helpful to ask more questions.

• Were they preterm and unable to latch?
• Did their parent have access to lactation support to aid in latching?
• How quickly were they encouraged to supplement or provide a pacifier?
• Was there any mother baby separation?
• Did they have encouragement and support from people familiar with evidenced-based breastfeeding information?
• Were there any underlying medical conditions?

Sometimes, nipple shape such as flat nipples, could be hereditary. Inverted nipples as well. However, neither are contradictory to breastfeeding. However, they do often require some support to help baby latch in the early days and weeks.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for one to be told baby cannot latch due to flat or inverted nipples. Rather than being provided with support, they are encouraged to simply bottle feed.

Are There Any Medical Issues?

In some cases, an undertreated thyroid disorder or other hormonal imbalance could impact breastfeeding. Some thyroid diseases are hereditary.

However, having a thyroid issue is not typically contradictory to breastfeeding. With proper management, thyroid disease should not prevent breastfeeding.

It is also possible their parent had a medical condition requiring medication. While many medications are safe during lactation, there are some medications which are not. It is also possible that at the time their parent’s providers were unsure about the medication safety and advised against breastfeeding while on it.

Did Their Parents Receive Unhelpful Advice?

While there are many varying opinions about raising a newborn, there is clear evidence related to lactation. Unfortunately, old wives’ tales, under educated professionals, and peer advice can still make the rounds.

If someone’s parent had difficulty breastfeeding, it is possible they were encouraged to rest and keep baby in the nursery the bulk of their hospital stay. It is also possible they were encouraged to supplement large amounts which impacted both baby’s stomach size and a parent’s milk supply.

Perhaps they were encouraged to sleep train before their milk supply was established. Or, maybe they were encouraged to begin solids too early or at too large a quantity.

As we know, breastfeeding is a supply and demand process. As the demand goes down, so does the supply. When the supply goes down, many babies get frustrated and want to feed often. If they are then encouraged to have bottles or solids, their demand never increases and then neither does the supply.

In short, it is possible for some breastfeeding challenges to be hereditary. However, that is not the most common cause of breastfeeding challenges. If a client asks if they are likely to struggle because their parent did, take time to explain the physiology of breastfeeding. You can then reassure them about the support you offer as well as other professionals.