by Christina Good Voice

Created on: August 05, 2008

The let-down reflex is the actual 'let-down' or flow of milk from the milk ducts in the breasts to the nipple where the baby is nursing.
In the beginning, it can take up to several minutes after your baby latches on for let-down to occur. But the more frequently you nurse, it will occur after a few seconds once baby has latched on.
Although a baby may latch on immediately, it doesn't mean they are getting milk immediately, but the mother will know when let-down has occurred because she will feel a slight tingling or warm feeling in her breasts as they fill with milk.

She may even begin dripping from the breast that's not being used. The stimulation of the breast from the baby's suckling is what encourages let-down. In the early days of breastfeeding, either while still in the hospital or while at home, uterine cramping will sometimes accompany let-down because the hormone oxytocin stimulates milk flow. The hormone also causes uterine muscles to contract, which is what breastfeeding experts say helps the uterus return to its normal size.

Let-down will also sometimes occur when your baby's not even breastfeeding, or sometimes when they aren't even in the same room. Let-down accompanied by the leaky breasts and warm, tingling sensation will sometimes occur if you hear your baby or another baby cry, or if you're taking a warm shower.

New mothers will sometimes hear the advice to take a warm shower before breastfeeding to assist with let-down, especially during engorgement. Engorgement occurs when the milk has come in, usually three to four days after baby is born. In the first few days, the baby is nursing but is only getting colostrum, or the pre-milk. It's a yellowish to clear liquid. Experts and pediatricians have reported that the pre-milk is packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients that a newborn needs, and although it's in small amounts, it's just what baby needs.

Baby will nurse and thrive off of colostrum for the first few days but these first days should be treated as practice' for when the milk does come in. As a three-time breastfeeding mom (and soon-to-be four-time breastfeeding mom), the practice time should be utilized to the fullest because once the milk comes in, some moms might decide it's not for them.

Engorgement occurs on the third or fourth day postpartum and is when the breasts are filled with milk, waiting to establish the right amount for baby. Engorgement is very painful and sometimes feels like there are rocks in the breasts, and sometimes baby can't even latch on because they are so full.

This is where the warm showers come in. Warm showers will help with let-down and will stimulate milk flow, and then mom can nurse baby without him/her choking on the fast flow of milk.

Let-down is sometimes a nuisance when you've forgotten your nursing pads and are at the supermarket and hear another baby cry, but when you're nursing your baby, it's a wonderful indication that you're doing it right.

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