Let down reflex (or milk ejection reflex) is the term given to the release of milk from a breastfeeding woman.
It can feel like a tingly sensation, or a strange feeling that many women cannot quite explain. Additionally, some women can experience low grade pain when the let down reflex happens, while others will feel nothing at all.

The reflex is stimulated when the baby begins to suckle at the breast. This produces a hormone called oxytocin, which in turn stimulates muscles in the breast to squeeze and pump milk to the feeding baby.

Although the let down reflex is stimulated by the breast feeding infant, the reflex can also be stimulated by the mother looking at, or thinking about her infant; or hearing her baby cry. If the baby is not at the breast, the milk will leak and for this reason breastfeeding mothers rely on breast pads to absorb the milk.

Some women can produce an overabundant milk supply, which is recognisable by a baby coughing and spluttering at the breast, due to the rapid milk flow. The milk may even leak and spray. This is known as an 'overactive letdown'.

Women with an overactive let down must ensure they empty their breasts regularly, either by breastfeeding or expressing. This will ensure that the milk ducts do not become blocked by excess milk. This prevents the onset of mastitis, which is an extremely painful condition caused by inflammation of the breast.


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