Breastfeeding let down feels different for each person, but many people report that it feels like a tingling sensation. Some people feel a warm sensation or even a bit of prickling right when their milk lets down. Others feel nothing at all. Sometimes, parents know that their milk has begun to flow when they notice that the breast that the baby is not feeding on has leaked. There may be an emotional response to let down, which may be either a calm, relaxing feeling or a feeling of dread. Prolactin is responsible for making more breast milk, and oxytocin causes the let-down or release of your breast milk. Learn more about the signs of let-down, how it feels, tips for stimulating the flow of breast milk, and how to deal with a slow or painful let-down.
Signs of the Let-Down Reflex
When you’re breastfeeding, and your breasts release breast milk, you may notice these signs of the let-down reflex:
Tingling: You may feel pins and needles, or a warm sensation in your breasts. Leaking: You may see breast milk leaking or spraying out of the breast that your baby is not breastfeeding on. Gulping: You may hear your baby gulping and swallowing milk. Dripping: You may see breast milk dripping out of your baby’s mouth. Cramping: You may feel menstrual-like cramping in your uterus, especially in the early weeks following childbirth. Gaining: Your baby is gaining weight, has at least six to eight wet diapers a day and appears content after breastfeeding.
You may also notice the signs of milk let-down when you are not breastfeeding or pumping. Let-down can come on quickly and unexpectedly at feeding time, when you hear your child cry, during a warm shower, or during sexual activity.
Tips to Stimulate Let-Down
The let-down reflex is one of the keys to successful breastfeeding. It’s what allows your breast milk to flow out of your breasts to your baby. When it’s working well, your baby can get enough breast milk to feel satisfied, gain weight, and grow at a healthy pace. The following are some tips to help encourage and stimulate the breast milk let-down reflex:
Take a warm shower or apply a moist, warm towel to your breasts before you breastfeed. Massage your breasts gently for a few minutes before you begin feeding and continue as you nurse. Sit or lie down and get comfortable in a quiet area away from distractions. Relax your body and your mind, so you are feeling calm and free of stress. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) about 30 minutes to an hour before feeding time, if you are still in pain from childbirth. Place your baby on your chest in direct skin-to-skin contact. Look at, touch, and smell your baby. Keep the same routine before each feeding session; milk let-down is a reflex that you can condition or teach your body to do at a specific time.
How Let-Down Feels
The let-down of breast milk occurs many times during a feeding. The first release is usually the only one that is noticeable. When your milk lets down, you may feel:
BurningPins and needlesPressureTinglingWarmth
It could be a little uncomfortable or even mildly painful. The sensations are very strong for some women, while others don’t feel anything at all.
Not Feeling Milk Let-Down
If you do not feel your milk letting down, it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. You may never notice it, or you may feel it in the first few weeks then less over time. As long as you can see the signs your baby is getting enough breast milk and growing well, you don’t have to worry. In that case, you should contact your doctor or a lactation consultant for assistance and bring your baby to the pediatrician to be sure they’re gaining weight.
Oxytocin and Let-Down
The hormone oxytocin is associated with love and bonding. Your body releases it during childbirth, when you breastfeed your baby, and during sex. This hormone can bring about feelings of peace, calmness, and relaxation. Oxytocin also causes muscle contractions that help shrink your uterus back down to its normal size after childbirth. It’s the reason you may feel uterine cramping as your milk lets down in the early weeks postpartum. These uterine cramps are a good sign that breastfeeding is going well. Other effects of oxytocin that you may experience while you are nursing could include:
Headaches Hot flashes Nausea and vomiting Night sweats Sleepiness Thirst
Possible Let-Down Problems
The breastfeeding let-down reflex does not always work perfectly. It can be slow, difficult, painful, or hyperactive. Difficulties with the let-down reflex can lead to breastfeeding issues. They can also cause a decrease in your breast milk supply because if your child can only remove a small amount of milk from your breasts at each feeding, your production of breast milk will go down.
Slow or Difficult Let-Down
Many things might lead to a delay in the let-down of breast milk. There are a number of potential causes for a slow or difficult let-down. When your breast milk is slow to release, it can be frustrating to a hungry child. Your newborn may cry, bite down on your breast, or refuse the breast altogether. Here are some tips to combat a slow or difficult milk let-down:
Pump or hand express a little bit of breast milk before each feeding to help stimulate your let-down reflex. Put the baby to your breast once your milk begins to flow. Place a warm compress on your breasts for a few minutes before feeding time. Massage your breasts gently before and during each feeding. Breastfeed or pump in a quiet place away from distractions. Get into a comfortable position. Use a nursing pillow and a breastfeeding footstool, try to relax, take some deep breaths, and concentrate on your baby. Ask your doctor if you can take a pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) if you’re in any pain. Try a nursing supplementer device. Refrain from overdoing it on the coffee and soda. Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet. Avoid alcohol and don’t smoke.
If your child falls asleep at the breast or stops breastfeeding before the let-down, they may not get enough breast milk. Plus, you could end up with overfull breasts that could lead to painful breast issues (such as engorgement or plugged milk ducts).
Painful Let-Down Reflex
Sometimes the milk-ejection reflex is painful. Hard, swollen breasts, sore nipples, an overabundant breast milk supply, and thrush are common breastfeeding problems that are known to cause pain during let-down. Other pain could be related to uterine contractions which can be intense and very uncomfortable, especially in the first week or so after your baby is born. A painful let-down can make breastfeeding unpleasant, and it can lead to breastfeeding less, a low breast milk supply, and early weaning. Here’s what you can do if you have a painful let-down:
Treat sore nipples, breast engorgement, or an overabundant supply of breast milk. Call your doctor if you think you have developed thrush. Ask the doctor if you can take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Strong or Hyperactive Reflex
A strong or hyperactive let-down reflex causes too much breast milk to flow quickly out of the breast. You may notice your baby pulling off your breast and gagging. You may also see milk spraying or leaking heavily out of your breast. When you have a strong or hyperactive let-down, your baby may gag, choke, and cough while he’s breastfeeding. Your child may swallow a lot of air as they gulp down your breast milk and try to keep up with the fast flow. Taking in all that air can lead to gassiness and fussiness. The baby may also gain weight very quickly and show signs of colic. To help slow the flow you can:
Express some of your breast milk before you begin to breastfeed. Put your baby to the breast after the first let-down passes and the milk flow slows down. Try the laid-back nursing position. Lie back and place the baby on top of you so that the baby is sucking against gravity. This breastfeeding position may help slow the flow of breast milk and make it easier for your child to breastfeed. Burp your baby during and after each feeding to help bring up any air that he may swallow. Try breastfeeding from only one side each feeding. Take your baby off the breast if your little one begins to choke or gag. Remove some more breast milk with a pump or through a hand expression technique, then try breastfeeding again. Treat an overabundant milk supply.
Let-Down and Pumping
Many women pump their breast milk. You may want to pump for an occasional bottle or to build up a stockpile of milk in your freezer. It may be that you have to return to work, or you have a child in the hospital. Whatever the reason, you might find that it is more difficult to stimulate the let-down if you’re using a breast pump.
How to Stimulate the Let-Down Reflex While Pumping
When you’re pumping, some of the things that can interfere with let-down and your breast milk supply are feeling rushed, pumping in an uncomfortable environment, and the stress of having a sick or premature infant. To help you relax and get your breast milk flowing, here are some tips:
Go to a quiet, private area to pump.Try to get comfortable and relax.Look at a picture or watch a video of your baby while you pump.Listen to a recording of your baby cooing or crying.Hold and smell a piece of your child’s clothing.
For moms of preemies or hospitalized children, studies show that spending time engaged in kangaroo care with your little one can help you pump more breast milk.
Stopping Let-Down
When you’re breastfeeding your child or pumping, you want to see the signs of the let-down reflex. But, there may be times when you don’t want your milk to let-down such as when you’re dressed up for a night out or in a meeting at work. You can wear breast pads to protect yourself and your clothes from sudden embarrassing leaks, but you can also try to stop the milk from letting down. If you can, put direct pressure on your nipples. If you are in front of other people and cannot do that discreetly, you can try putting pressure on your breasts by crossing your arms tightly over your chest.
Phantom Let-Down
Phantom let-down is the sensation of the let-down reflex that continues after breastfeeding has ended. Women who have breastfed, but are no longer nursing sometimes feel that familiar tingling in their breasts when they around infants or hear a baby cry. It is usually in both breasts and only lasts for a moment. The phantom sensation of let-down can occur long after weaning, and it’s typically nothing to worry over. However, if the production of breast milk has ended and all of a sudden there is fluid coming from the nipple, you should see your doctor for an exam.
A Word From Verywell
In the early days of breastfeeding, your milk may let-down within a few seconds, or it could take a few minutes. If it’s taking a little while to get the milk flowing, don’t worry. As the days and weeks go on, your body will learn to recognize the signs of feeding time, and you will notice your let-down coming more quickly. Before you know it, you will be feeling the sensation of let-down from just the thought of your baby or hearing their cry. Of course, sometimes there are problems with let-down. But, breastfeeding should not be painful, and you should be able to make and deliver enough breast milk for your child. If you have any concerns or questions about your baby and the let-down of breast milk, talk to your doctor.
