07/16/2026
Placenta encapsulation does NOT lower milk supply. There is zero evidence to support this and lately I have had several lactation consultants telling my clients this misinformation. Here is a good post written by an encapsulator who is also an IBCLC, on this subject.
“Speaking as an IBCLC and former science researcher and associate professor in Trinity College with a PhD, I can assure you 100% that there is absolutely no research that proves placenta encapsulation causes a decrease in milk supply.
In my 7 years experience of encapsulation I have come across a huge amount of clinical rapportage from women who notice copious milk supply with placenta encapsulation.
Placenta Encapsulation is an ancient practice which came about in China and the Far East as part of a series of postnatal practices to support new mothers. People have been doing it for centuries. All mammals if left undisturbed also consume their placenta. Why would this evolutionary practice develop if it were harmful to milk supply? The animal kingdom could not have survived without copious mammalian lactation.
It is true that the birth of the placenta stimulates a complex interplay of hormones in the mammalian body, which includes a drop in progesterone and the action of placental lactogen. It is also true that if part of the placenta is retained, milk supply can be diminished, but that is because that interplay of hormones has not and cannot take place with a placenta still in someone's womb. Whilst still inside, it is a living thing, still functioning as though it were supporting an in utero baby; quite different to a foodstuff that is being ingested via the digestive tract.
In my experience as a lactation consultant and also as a BF counselor . . . 20 years now, I have noticed many reasons for poor milk supply, placenta encapsulation wouldn't be one of them.
Insufficient glandular tissue is the main one, hormonal complications or imbalances, issues associated with milk removal such as functional shape of the breasts or ni***es such as inverted ni***es or vasospasm, then there are retrieval issues associated with the baby such as tongue tie or cleft palate, or neurological issues associated with tongue movement.
Probably the biggest issue is managing breastfeeding. Using bottles, irregular feeding times, early supplementation, and using a pump for non clinical reasons.”
