Sage-Tips

Which condition may cause a woman to have IGT insufficient glandular tissue?

hypoplasia
Glandular causes for low or no milk production can include previous breast surgery, or hypoplasia/IGT. Often, glandular lactation failure is accompanied by one or more preglandular and postglandular factors.

Can you breastfeed with IGT?

Glandular tissue is the milk-making tissue in the breast. The good news is that if you have IGT, it is likely that you can still breastfeed your baby. The size of a woman’s breasts has no bearing on how much milk she can make.

Can you breastfeed with hypoplasia?

Yes, it is still possible to breastfeed even if you have hypoplastic breasts. Depending on the actual amount of developed breast tissue that you have, you may be able to make enough breast milk for your child, but it could be a challenge.

What do breasts with IGT look like?

The mother with IGT will often (but not always!) have a physical presentation characterized by a wide space between the breasts on the chest wall, tubular shaped breasts with bulbous areolae, and a lack of breast growth during pregnancy.

Is insufficient glandular tissue hereditary?

Some studies show that low glandular tissue can be impacted by genetics, Mother’s exposure to particular toxins in utero, a hormonal disruption during puberty, or it can occur after a prior breast reduction surgery. IGT is often seen in combination with PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome), but sometimes it is not.

How common is insufficient glandular tissue?

Also known as breast hypoplasia, IGT is a condition in which the breasts lack the glands and ducts that produce milk. Many new moms worry they’re not making enough milk, but less than two percent of us actually have low milk supply due to biological reasons like IGT, says lactation consultant Catherine Watson Genna.

What causes IGT?

IGT can be attributed to various circumstances presented in life far before pregnancy and even child bearing years. Some of these include delayed or interrupted menstruation, hormonal disorders, use of hormonal birth control during puberty, and a high BMI during puberty.

Can you increase glandular breast tissue?

While a lot of times these other difficulties can be overcome, there so far isn’t a way to increase glandular tissue, and moms who do have hypoplasia may not produce enough milk to feed their babies even when both breasts are working at full capacity.

Can I still breastfeed if I have insufficient glandular tissue (IGT)?

Rarely, a woman has breasts that do not produce enough milk because of insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). Glandular tissue is the milk-making tissue in the breast. The good news is that if you have IGT, it is likely that you can still breastfeed your baby. The size of a woman’s breasts has no bearing on how much milk she can make.

Can I breastfeed if I have hypoplasia/IGT?

Some mothers with hypoplasia/IGT are able to offer all feedings at their breasts, regardless of how much milk their breasts actually make, using an at-breast supplementer.

What is hypoplasia of the mammary gland (IGT)?

Called tubular (or tuberous) breast deformity in the plastic surgery literature, hypoplasia of the mammary gland (also called insufficient glandular tissue or IGT) was previously thought to be a simple issue of cosmetics. Corrections addressed the appearance of a woman’s breasts, with little regard for their function.

What is breast hypoplasia and what causes it?

Insufficient glandular tissue (breast hypoplasia) Most women produce more than enough milk for their baby (or babies). Rarely, a woman has breasts that do not produce enough milk because of insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). Glandular tissue is the milk-making tissue in the breast.