For Nursing Mothers: How Can You Tell If Your Milk is Letting Down?

What is commonly called "let-down" refers to the process in a breast feeding woman where the milk is distributed into the milk ducts in the breast so the baby has access to the milk through the mother's nipple. Many women worry that they won't know if their milk is letting down or they may be concerned about how to tell if the milk is letting down into the ducts so the baby can get enough to eat. Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs that a mother's milk is letting down:

There are actually two hormones--prolactin and oxytocin--that cause the milk to be released into the milk ducts in a human mother's breasts. These hormones can be triggered by a nursing baby, or sometimes just thinking of the baby, looking at a picture or hearing a baby's cry can cause a breast feeding woman's milk to "let down." For some mothers, this let-down reflex is obvious and they may feel the breasts become fuller and even notice some leaking. For others, it can be harder to tell.

Other signs that let-down is occurring can be one or more of the following: cramps in the uterus--these uterine cramps might be light or moderate and may be noticed more in the early weeks after birth; some women feel a tingling sensation or an achiness as the milk lets down into the ducts; you may notice a change in how the baby is nursing--an infant who is actually consuming milk will be taking longer, regular sucks from the nipple and will be swallowing regularly as well; while the baby is nursing at one breast, the mother may notice the other breast feels full or is leaking.

If there is a problem with the let-down reflex, the baby may become frustrated and pull away from the breast. If the baby continues sucking in short, rapid sucks then he or she is likely not getting milk from the efforts. Some women do experience a delayed let-down--this can often be connected to stress, illness or strong concerns over the breast feeding process. Learning to relax and preparing oneself for the breast feeding experience can help. Some women find that thinking warmly about their baby or looking at a picture can help them prepare for the feeding and stimulate a let-down before the baby is put to the breast.