Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experience, but sometimes our bodies don’t always cooperate in the way we expect. One condition that can affect milk supply is tubular hypoplastic breasts. This simply means the breasts didn’t fully develop, which can make breastfeeding more challenging.
When you have tubular hypoplastic breasts, you may notice differences in shape, size, or spacing, and worry about whether you can produce enough milk. The good news is that with the right support, strategies, and sometimes a little extra help, many moms are able to feed their babies successfully.
On this page, we’ll help you understand what tubular hypoplastic breasts look like, why they happen, and practical ways to support breastfeeding—even if your milk supply is lower than expected.
Tuberous breasts can sometimes look a little different. They may sit flatter against the chest and feel like they’re not as full as you’d expect. The nipple and areola can also look larger or more rounded, often standing out more at the tip.
Sometimes breasts don’t develop as fully as expected, and we call this tubular or hypoplastic breasts. It simply means there isn’t quite enough glandular (milk-making) tissue inside. Because of this, some women make less milk, and in certain cases, very little milk is produced. You might also hear this condition called hypoplasia, tubular breast syndrome, or tuberous breast.
La Leche League International: “Every mother’s breastfeeding journey is unique. Even small amounts of breast milk contribute to a baby’s health and bonding.”
What Do Hypoplastic Breasts Look Like?
Breasts with hypoplasia or a tuberous shape can look a little different:
- They may sit flatter against the chest and sometimes look less full.
- The nipple and areola appear more rounded or fuller at the tip.
- Some moms notice that their breasts sit farther apart.
- The breasts may take on a more tubular shape or appear slightly uneven from one side to the other.
- Tuberous breasts can be either small or large. Larger breasts may look full because of fatty tissue, but they can still have less milk-making glandular tissue inside.
Other Signs Associated With Tubular Breasts
Some signs of hypoplastic or tubular breasts can show up over time:
- You might notice very little breast growth during puberty.
- Or that your breasts didn’t seem to get much bigger during pregnancy.
- After birth, some moms also find that their breasts don’t feel full or engorged the way they expected.
If you’ve noticed these changes, it doesn’t mean you can’t breastfeed—it just means your supply may need some extra care and support.
What Causes Tubular Breast Deformity?
- If the body doesn’t make enough progesterone, the tiny milk-making cells inside the breast (called alveoli) may not fully develop.
- Studies have also found a possible link between exposure to pesticides—especially in farming areas—and less breast gland tissue.
- Some moms with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) may also notice changes in their breast shape or supply. In that case, an endocrinologist is usually the best person to guide you. They are doctors who specialize in hormones. Not all general doctors or OB/GYNs are familiar with this connection.
- Thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can also affect breast development and milk supply.
How to Produce More Milk With a Tuberous Breast Deformity
You can take several steps to help support milk production if you have tubular or hypoplastic breasts:
- Increase stimulation: Breastfeed on demand and consider pumping between feeds to give your breasts extra encouragement.
- Manage underlying health issues: Conditions like PCOS or hypothyroidism can affect milk supply, so working with your doctor to manage them can help.
- Talk about progesterone: Ask your healthcare provider if natural progesterone during pregnancy is right for you—it can help your milk-making tissue grow.
- Consider natural boosters: Some moms try herbal remedies or other galactagogues to support milk supply.
- Breast massage: Gentle massage can provide extra stimulation and encourage milk flow.
- Supplement wisely: Using a supplemental feeding device while your baby receives donor milk or formula lets your baby feed while also stimulating your breasts.
- Future pregnancies: Many women with tubular hypoplastic breasts notice increased milk supply in their second or third pregnancies, thanks to the hormones that naturally encourage milk gland growth.
Tubular Breast Reconstruction
Surgery can reshape hypoplastic or tubular breasts to give them a more typical appearance on the outside. However, it’s important to know that surgery can’t create the milk-making tissue inside. In fact, the procedure may remove some glandular tissue, which often limits breastfeeding afterward.
Even so, the decision to have surgery is personal, and many women find it helps them feel more confident in their bodies. If breastfeeding is a priority, it’s worth discussing your options with a lactation consultant and your doctor before any procedure.
Featured Comments
Tubular Breasts and Breastfeeding, by Sophie
“I have always had small breasts, and even before I got pregnant, I would worry that my baby would starve because I couldn’t get enough milk. I was reassured by a lactation consultant and family members who had breastfed successfully despite having small breasts. So I decided I, too, would breastfeed exclusively.
When I realized after five weeks that my baby had not gained enough weight, I was devastated, and I felt guilty for not realizing how hungry he was. I was given a medication (domperidone) to increase my supply; I nursed every two hours, pumped, etc. Still, I had to supplement, or else my poor little Charles would cry for hours and sleep very little.
I have given up breastfeeding after two months. It was heartbreaking but in some way, a relief to see my baby happy and gaining weight. I tried to do both (breastfeeding and supplementing) for a while, but it was just too much trouble for me, and I was getting tired and depressed.
Throughout all this experience, no one (doctor, nurse, or lactation consultant) told me I had tubular hypoplastic breasts. I eventually figured it out on my own! I’m surprised this topic isn’t talked about more. I’d never really worried about the size of my chest before, but learning about this felt like a real blow to my sense of womanhood. What kind of woman can’t make milk for her own baby? Reading stories similar to mine has helped me cope with this. I am now at peace with myself.
I hope that there is more awareness about this in the future and that although breast is best, there is no sin in bottle feeding when nature does not allow you to breastfeed.”
Tuberous breasts and breastfeeding, by Erin Allbright (Texas, USA)
“I had my first child when I was 20, and I thought breastfeeding was gross, to be honest.
I never even considered anything other than using formula. No one in my family had ever breastfed. I even remember my grandmother talking about how she thought breastfeeding was unnecessary because formula was available, and babies did just fine on it.
A Change of Mind
So, I fed my daughter formula, washed bottles, paid for expensive formula, lugged around all the needed bottle-feeding supplies, and never thought twice about it. Three years later, my son was born, and I was older and less affected by what my family thought, so I researched breastfeeding and decided I wanted to try it.
I remember the first time Benjamin nursed and how much of a connection I felt with him. I loved everything about breastfeeding. It was convenient and good for my baby and me, and I felt like I was more of a woman and a mom.
Being new at breastfeeding and because I’d never been around anyone who breastfed, I didn’t know what I was doing. When I took Benjamin in for a checkup at five days old, he’d lost 15% of his weight. He was dehydrated, had jaundice, and had to return to the hospital.
Overwhelming Guilt
A nurse brought me a breast pump so I could pump while Ben was under the lights for his jaundice. I used a hospital-grade pump for an hour, but I didn’t get enough milk to even cover the bottom of the bottle. At first, I felt like I had been starving my baby, and the guilt was overwhelming. Benjamin began receiving formula, and I gave up on breastfeeding. Five years later, I found out I was going to have another baby.
Diagnosis of Hypoplastic Breast tissue.
This time I educated myself. After reading everything possible about breastfeeding, I invested in a good pump and gathered herbs and vitamins that could support milk production. From the start, it was important to make it clear to my family that this was my baby and my body, and that I would do what felt right for us, no matter what anyone else thought. Determined to breastfeed this time, I felt certain it would work. Then, just three days ago, came the diagnosis of Tuberous Breast tissue.
My son was five days old, and I knew breastfeeding would work for me this time. I WAS SHOCKED when I took Jackson to the doctor and discovered he’d lost over 10% of his original birth weight. Then the lactation consultant had me breastfeed him and then re-weighed him. After 15 min of feeding, he’d only taken in 8 ccs.
She then examined my breasts and told me that I had Tubular Hypoplastic breasts, which means I don’t have enough breast tissue. I sat there for a minute, listened to what she said, and then realized I was sobbing.
My grandmother was with me at the appointment, and I thought I was about to hear, “I told you so,” but she began to cry and explain to the lactation specialist that I had tried so hard and that it was so important to me.
I had tried so hard
I then started thinking about my older son. When I was breastfeeding him, and he became ill due to low milk supply, my friends and family (myself included) joked and said that my breasts were too small and that I was starving him. Realizing that this was somewhat true all along was heartbreaking and embarrassing.
I had tried so hard this time to make breastfeeding work. I’d read every article, bought supplements and a pump, and let my new baby nurse for ridiculous amounts of time, thinking that maybe it was a problem with the transfer of the milk rather than the supply, and he needed a little more time.
I also wondered why no one had ever mentioned this to me before now. Why hadn’t someone said something when Benjamin was so sick? At least I would have known what to do when Jackson got here and wouldn’t be going through this again.
I’ve been supplementing for a day and a half now, and I break down and cry every time I give him a bottle. I keep pumping and letting him nurse, but sometimes it just isn’t enough to keep him fully satisfied. I never imagined I’d feel so heartbroken about breastfeeding, but it’s been really tough.
There are moments I feel like I’m falling short as a mom, yet I know it’s not my fault—I’ve tried so hard. I’m now looking into donor milk and doing more research because I want to make sure he gets the best start in life
Second-time breastfeeding, by Patty
“I was also told this when I first visited a location consultant in the hospital after delivering my first child. I was shocked. I’m an a-cup and have always worried about being able to produce enough milk. But I did a lot of research and felt confident that my size did not matter.
The idea of spacing being a concern was something I had never heard or read about. Trusting my instincts, I brushed her off and continued on my own path. My first child nursed until 18 months, and now my second is still happily breastfeeding at 13 months. I’ve never had to supplement. Everyone’s body is different – work closely with your baby and a supportive lactation consultant. If things don’t work out and you have to supplement or exclusively formula feed, you are still a great mom, giving your baby a great start just by trying!”
Breastfeeding with tubular hypoplastic breasts, by Ann-Marie
“My breasts are a full bandwidth apart, and I managed to breastfeed my children for eight weeks and 12 weeks, respectively. I had massive milk production.”
Resources
- Wikipedia – Tuberous breasts
- Search.worldcat.org – Planning for breast augmentation of tuberous breasts.
- La Leche League – International breastfeeding support
Have you noticed differences in your breast shape or milk supply, and what strategies have worked for you? We’d love to hear your experiences and support each other! Leave a comment below…
