Let-down reflex
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Let-down reflex
Let-down is the process by which milk is released from the milk glands to the milk ducts in preparation for breast-feeding. When a breast-feeding woman's breasts are stimulated by suckling or pumping, the pituitary gland produces the hormone oxytocin, which triggers the let-down reflex.
Signs of let-down include:
- A tingling sensation in the nipples, sometimes with mild pain.
- Milk leaking from the breast before nursing or pumping, or leaking from one breast while the baby is nursing at the other breast. Some women may experience let-down when they hear a baby cry.
- Uterine cramps during nursing.
- Increased vaginal bleeding during or just after nursing or pumping the breasts.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 10, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 10, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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