Isn’t “let down” such a downer of a phrase? But in the breastfeeding world, a let down is anything but a letdown – it’s all about positive pressure!

Enter the Milk Ejection Reflex (MER), the magical milk release triggered by some nifty stimuli. When a baby’s touch, a hand, or a pump engages with those nipples, or even when you hear or see a baby, the brain kicks into gear, pumping out oxytocin. This hormone zips around your body and makes a beeline for the breast (and uterus), where it meets the receptor cells.

Inside the milk-making machinery, myoepithelial cells around the milk sacs (alveoli) contract under oxytocin’s spell. This squeezes the milk sacs, pushing the milk out with gusto. And if a baby or pump is latched on, negative pressure joins the party, helping to draw that liquid gold down into the baby’s tummy. So, a let down? More like a let-up!

This video is a whizz at explaining the whole process:

Interestingly, some parents can actually feel the magic in action, describing sensations like pins and needles or a gentle tugging at the breast. How cool is that? Not everyone gets to feel the let down magic, so don’t worry if you’re not one of them. No need to panic! There are other ways to know the let down has kicked in. You might notice your baby’s drinking picks up the pace, complete with more audible swallows, or you might spot them getting cosy and settling into the feed even more!

A let down can take a minute or two to kick in, so you’ll usually be able to spot the difference when it happens.

Further Reading/ Resources:

Journal article – The physiological basis of breastfeeding

Australian Breastfeeding Association – The let-down reflex and your milk flow