Hypogalactia Treated with Hand Expression and Translactation without the Use of Galactagogues

Abstract

This case study demonstrates the possibility of treating hypogalactia without using galactagogues. The focus is a female child who, in her first 54 days of life, had a weight gain of only 610 g, with a daily average of 11 g. The child suffered from improper latch-on, insufficient sucking, and consequent excessive drowsiness. During the first clinical visit by the mother, hand expression produced only 5 mL of breast milk. Mother and daughter were assisted daily with the hand expression and translactation method, without the use of any other milk, feeding bottles, or galactagogues. After 2 months and 6 days of assistance, the infant gained 1800 g. The child was exclusively breastfed for 6 months, after which she received complementary foods and continued breastfeeding until her 27th month. She crawled at the age of 7 months and walked when she was 1 year old. She is currently 4 and very healthy.