OMILQ: Osteopathic Manipulation to Increase Lactation Quantity (OMILQ)

The short and long-term benefits of breastfeeding to both the mother and infant are well established. Benefits for the child range from protection against common childhood infections, decreased rates of type-2 diabetes and systolic hypertension, lower rate of sudden infant death syndrome, increased performance on intelligence tests, and possible reduction in obesity. Maternal benefits include a reduction in the risk of breast cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, obesity, and ovarian cancer. Given this evidence the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend, exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months. WHO goes on to recommend breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond if mutually agreeable to both the mother and child. Despite these benefits and recommendations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States 81% of infants were started breastfeeding and only 51% continued at 6 months. Perceived or actual low milk supply is one of the most common reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding.

This protocol is designed to investigate scientifically our current osteopathic standard of care. There is no available research data to date specifically on using osteopathic manipulation as an intervention to increase milk supply in lactating women.