Let down reflex hormone

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.

Let-down reflex feeling

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

These sensations can develop immediately after giving birth, or they may not start until several weeks into breastfeeding.

It varies from mother to mother.

Other bodily responses

Let-down can also trigger other natural responses. Although you may only feed your baby from one breast, let-down typically happens in both breasts simultaneously.

You shouldn’t be surprised if your other breast begins to leak.

milk let down reflex hormone

milk let down reflex physiology