Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT)

When it comes to breastfeeding education and support, I consider myself to be a huge cheerleader for the cause. Because I’m a realist, I also support a family’s decision to not breastfeed for their own personal reasons. Recently my eyes were opened to the topic of low milk supply and medical conditions/factors that contribute to this. Today’s post is going to focus on insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), occasionally known as breast hypoplasia.

While I love helping families reach their breastfeeding goals, I’ve realized that breastfeeding education and support is a lot more than being a cheerleader. It can be reassuring a mother in her breastfeeding efforts. It can be teaching her to redefine her definition of success in regards to breastfeeding. I’ve recently talked to some women who have been impacted by conditions that contribute to low milk supply to hear their experiences. In today’s post, I’m sharing all that I personally have learned about IGT.

What is IGT (Insufficient Glandular Tissue)?

• IGT is Insufficient Glandular Tissue. In a lot of lactation and medical textbooks, it is also classified as hypoplasia. Hypoplasia of the breasts occurs when there is a lack of breast tissue with a wide spacing in between the breasts.

What are the signs of Insufficient Glandular Tissue?

• Breast hypoplasia
• Tubular Breasts
• Widely spaced breasts
• Large or bulbous disproportionate areolas
• Complete lack of breast changes during pregnancy

Additional notable characteristics:

• Lack of fullness or engorgement in the postpartum period, despite frequent nursing/pumping
• Previous history of lactation failure in mother or immediate female relatives (Be very thorough if this is one of the criteria you relate to. Many mothers may believe to have had lactation failure related to IGT when it may have been different factors)
• Inadequate milk production despite frequent nursing/pumping or using galactagogues (milk boosters)

What happens to milk supply when someone has IGT?

• Overall, the breasts are unable to produce an adequate amount of milk for a full feeding.

What can be done?

• During the prenatal period
  • Observe for breast changes or lack-thereof:
    If you notice there aren’t any changes, see an IBCLC during your pregnancy for prenatal breastfeeding consultation.
• If you still want the experience of putting the baby to the breast
  • Using a Supplemental Nursing System
    Several women stated their contentment with using an SNS while feeding the baby. These women were able to feed at the breast while also fulfilling their infant’s needs with formula (or breastmilk) supplementation.
  • Feeding at the breast first and supplementing afterwards
    Women who don’t necessarily enjoy using the SNS find peace in giving a bottle of supplement or having a family member use the bottle.
• If you want to make sure that your baby is getting as much breastmilk as possible
  • Increase milk supply with “safe” galactagogues
    While your milk supply may not increase to large enough amounts to completely satisfy the infant. Several women noticed their infant feed at the breast for a longer amount of time or they were able to pump a few more milliliters.

Advice for Moms with IGT

• Redefine your definition of breastfeeding success
  • I truly believe that breastfeeding isn’t all or nothing or “one size fits all”. Breastfeeding can be whatever works FOR YOU. I recently interviewed a mother that was diagnosed with IGT. One of the sweetest things that she said was that she still gets to breastfeed for at least one full feeding. That morning feed when her breasts are full, she is able to nourish the baby at the breast. While the baby is still being supplemented with formula, she also gets to breastfeed. This is so important for any women that had goals or ideas to breastfeed for bonding purposes. You can still do this in whatever way works best for your situation.
• Continue towards your goal
  • Once you redefine success FOR YOU, your overall goal may change slightly. Studies have shown that many moms continued to breastfeed to their goal in spite of having a lower milk supply. In addition to breastfeeding, their infants were supplemented. Many moms still took joy in giving breastmilk to their infants.
• Maintain your emotional and mental health
  • I don’t have the personal experience to back up my advice but I can see how hard this diagnosis is on some women. When you have big dreams and expectations to do one thing but are unable to do it, it’s emotionally battering. When you feel that you should be doing something based on what society is telling you, it can be insulting. In this particular time, take care of you and your mental health. Remind yourself every single day that you’re doing or have done all that you can possibly do. You literally are giving it your 100 percent.

Advice for family members of moms with IGT

• SUPPORT
  • This may be a very emotional time for your family member. This is not the time for lectures or opinionated comments. In this moment, simple asking how you can help and how you can give them the support they need.
• Offering assistance in day-to-day breastfeeding tasks
  • If the feeding parent chooses to feed with the SNS, then you could help her with the assembly. If a feeding parent chooses to supplement with a bottle, any bottle preparation would help a ton!

Advice for health care professionals that are caring for families with IGT

• Offer support specifically tailored to that particular feeding parent
  • Often times, health care workers have a scientific mindset of doing what they’ve learned in textbooks. This isn’t always the most helpful thing in emotional situations. Instead of trying to over assess and over evaluate, offering emotional support first can be incredibly helpful.
• Find ways to boost and promote additional methods of infant feeding
  • Obviously you want these women to breastfeed. These women want to breast also. It just isn’t always realistic. Learning more about additional methods of infant feeding is pertinent in this situation. Educating yourself on the supplemental nursing system, syringe feeding, bottle feeding and formula preparation can be super helpful for these mothers.
• Determine the mother’s overall goal
  • Because it is our job to help them with their breastfeeding journey, determining their overall goal is extremely important. If a mother states that she wanted to breastfeed for 18 months, finding ways to help her achieve her goal in the most healthy and realistic ways possible is key.
• Obtain an accurate history and physical during assessment, making sure to discuss breast changes, breast surgeries, and familial lactation history
  • If IGT is suspected, communication the importance of breastfeeding follow-ups with the mother.

In summary,

Insufficient glandular tissue is tough. I can’t speak from personal experience but after speaking to several mothers, I can empathize and show my support. It can be a very emotional time for women who are already struggling with insecurities related to body image and feelings of inadequacy in terms of breastfeeding. It can also be hard to accept for women who have had the dream of breastfeeding their infant. As stated throughout the post, redefining your success in terms of breastfeeding can help immensely. Find supportive health care workers and family members that can walk side-by-side with you on your breastfeeding journey. And if you do have IGT, please remember that you are enough. You are doing/have done everything to the best of your ability. That is beautiful, wonderful, and dedication.

Resources and Support for IGT

A Poem by a Mother with Low Milk Supply (seriously so sweet)

Guidelines for Supplementation

1) Personal experiences with IGT Part 1

2) Personal Experiences with IGT Part 2

3) Personal Blog of a Mother with IGT

IGT screening group (Part 1/2)

IGT Facebook Group

Mothers Overcoming Breastfeeding Facebook Support Group

*Please note that this is a blog post intended to educate the breastfeeding and maternal health community. This post does not replace the advice of your personal health care provider and/or lactation expert.*

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