Breastfeeding should be a natural extension of a woman’s physiology, yet for many today it has become a source of struggle and distress. Reports of low breast milk supply are more common than ever, raising critical questions: Why are so many women experiencing difficulties? What has shifted in the modern environment to make breastfeeding harder? And how has traditional education and trust in a woman’s innate body wisdom been diminished?

In our upcoming Lunch & Learn session, presented by Dr Leah Hechtman, we will examine the latest understandings of lactation through both research and clinical practice. Practitioners will be guided to critically assess why low supply has become more prevalent, how integrative approaches can restore confidence and function, and what practical strategies - including herbal prescribing - can be applied to support women.

Emerging research highlights the complex interplay of stress, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and social pressures that undermine lactation. These factors, combined with fragmented support systems and the erosion of intergenerational knowledge, create significant barriers for women. Within this context, herbal medicines offer valuable clinical tools, but their greatest efficacy is realised when embedded within a holistic strategy that also addresses behavioural, dietary, lifestyle, and psychosocial influences.

By reconnecting science with body wisdom, we can better equip women to navigate breastfeeding in today’s demanding world.