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Release of milk from the breast
- “Let-down” is the release of milk from the breast. It’s a normal reflex that occurs when nerves in your breasts are stimulated, usually as a result of your baby sucking. This sets in motion a chain of events, and hormones are released into your bloodstream.
www.healthline.com/health/parenting/letdown-reflexLet-Down Reflex: Is Yours Normal, Tips to Improve It, and More
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Sep 29, 2023 · What is a breastfeeding let-down reflex? The let-down reflex, or milk ejection reflex, is a hormonal, automatic chain reaction that happens during breastfeeding (chestfeeding). Here’s what ...
- Overview
- What is the let-down reflex?
- What is a normal let-down reflex?
- Which actions can prompt let-down?
- How can you improve your let-down reflex?
- What is the takeaway?
What are some benefits of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding not only creates a bond between you and your baby, it also provides your baby with nutrients that promote healthy growth.
Breast milk has antibodies that strengthen your baby’s immune system, protecting them from infections and diseases.
Breastfeeding also has long-term benefits. For example, breastfed babies are less likely to be obese or develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Between sore nipples, latching issues, and problems with milk flow, breastfeeding can be tricky. The let-down reflex, however, can make breastfeeding easier for both you and your baby.
“Let-down” is the release of milk from the breast. It’s a normal reflex that occurs when nerves in your breasts are stimulated, usually as a result of your baby sucking. This sets in motion a chain of events, and hormones are released into your bloodstream.
Let-down, or the availability of milk, is different for every mother. Some women let down within seconds of their baby beginning to suck, but it takes others several minutes to let down. Therefore, you shouldn’t compare your reflex with another mother’s reflex.
Knowing what to expect during let-down can help you determine whether your reflex is normal.
Some breastfeeding mothers can feel their milk flow from their ducts to their nipples, but others don’t. You may notice different sensations in or around your breasts, such as:
•a tingling sensation, which feels like pins and needles
•a feeling of fullness
•milk leaking from your other breast
Let-down is a normal reflex when your baby sucks on your breasts, but it can also take place before your baby latches on. You may notice your milk let down when you hear your baby cry or if you’re overdue for a feeding.
Additionally, touching your breasts or using a breast pump can prompt let-down. This is called “expressing.”
Let-down comes easily and naturally for some breastfeeding mothers, but others have trouble getting their milk to flow.
If you have trouble with let-down — whether you’re feeding or expressing — there are several things you can do to help the process:
•sip on a warm beverage
•listen to soothing, calm music
•take a warm shower before feeding
•hold your baby close to your body
It’s important to remember that let-down is different for every person. You may have a physical response and feel tingling or fullness around the breasts every time milk is ready to flow, or you may feel nothing.
If you have concerns about your let-down reflex, talk to your doctor. Also, let your doctor know if you’re having pain during let-down. A painful let-down reflex isn’t unusual, and the pain typically goes away once you adjust to breastfeeding.
If pain doesn’t improve, it can be a sign of:
•a clogged milk duct
•a breast infection
•a strained muscle from giving birth
Experiencing Let-Down Reflex. Let down is the release of milk into milk ducts in your breast. It usually happens when your baby sucks. You may even experience let down when your baby or someone else's baby cries, or for no reason at all. Some women don't feel the let-down.
The milk-making cells in your breast contract and squeeze out the milk, pushing it down the ducts towards the nipple. Oxytocin also makes the milk ducts widen, making it easier for the milk to flow down. This pushing out of milk is known as the let-down reflex or the milk ejection reflex.
Gain a clear understanding of the breastfeeding let-down reflex. Learn its significance, signs of a healthy let-down reflex, and common issues with milk flow.
Letdowns are a natural and important aspect of adult breastfeeding. They play a crucial role in the process by facilitating the release of milk from a woman's breasts in response to suckling or stimulation. Letdowns not only aid in the establishment of a good latch but also enhance the overall experience for both partners involved.
There is a hormonal on and off switch controlled through breast stimulation. A baby or pump on your breast activates these hormones, which activates the let down reflex and tells your breasts to let down the milk. So, having a let down means that your milk has started to flow.
