All About Breastmilk Letdowns | What is the milk ejection reflex?

The Milk Ejection Reflex (or "Letdown") can be a mysterious thing... but let's talk about what it is, why it happens, and how to make it better! Hopefully, this helps you on your breastfeeding journey to meet your feeding goals.
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0:00 Let Down Intro!
0:32 What is a milk let down?
1:41 When do let downs happen?
3:05 Let Down FUN FACTS!
4:14 D-MER
5:17 What does a let down feel like?
7:11 Causes of a poor let down
8:22 IMPORTANT!!!
9:11 Overactive/Forceful Let Down
12:28 What do to next!

[@jessicareynolds1900]

This is so helpful because even after three babies I still don’t feel my letdowns!

[@victoriareyes5748]

I'm sitting here newly pregnant wishing I had these videos 11 years ago when my daughter was born. I was 19 and had no clue what I was doing and just gave up because I just wanted her fed. I have been watching a lot of your videos over the last day or so and wish you had been my lactation consultant. The one I had was horrible and never took the time to explain anything to me. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge.

[@NewLittleLife]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment here. I appreciate your kind words so much and I’m grateful that you’ve found some help here! You can do it. 🙌🏼 good luck!

[@lizgaby9761]

Hahhaa same! Even the wisdom that I have now would've been nice lol

[@adrisalas360]

Same my first pregnancy was 13 years ago I was so nervous and stressed all the time I ended up giving up BF’ing and looking back my husband and I were like confused wolves raising our baby , but she turned out great ! I think even if we didn’t have the knowledge and encouraging people around (because I didn’t) we did ok and it’s a beautiful thing to be able to do it Again and have the new found wisdom and knowledge through these wonderful videos . What I am now learning is that Breast feeding is a full time job and quite challenging so my mental state of mind definitely was not ready for it 13 years ago anyway

[@suchitramantrala2899]

Same! 11 years ago for me. No idea what I was meant to do. I saw several LC’s and everyone just talked about latching and feeding my daughter, nothing about my comfort, bonding or helping me get my milk in.

[@wallacefambam]

So thankful you made this video!!! I had many questions that you’ve answered. Thank you! It’s such a relief to know that what I’m feeling/thinking is normal.

[@fionafarody8188]

Thank you for sharing all the useful information. My 2nd breastfeeding journey has been much easier after watching the videos 🙏🏼💕

[@dccasey]

Loved this video!! Thank you for all of the info! I am one of those mamas where let downs feel like little pins and needles in my boobs. Not painful but DEFINITELY noticeable!

[@pariss8396]

Thanks for another informative amazing video! I feel a little nauseous during letdown but that’s about it

[@pool8party]

Please make a video about relactation or how to go from bottle to ebf. Your latch video I think will make a huge difference in my journey with my son

[@jessicastevens6342]

you're a great teacher! Thanks so much for taking the time to create content and share what you know. You are appreciated!!

[@NewLittleLife]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! It really means a lot 💙 so glad you’ve found help here!

[@esyy]

So, I watched this video this morning researching how to increase milk supply and clear a clogged duct. And decided for bath time tonight I’ll take a bath with baby. He whined/cried a little. The skin to skin bath, then he giggled for the rest of the bath. Believe me when I tell you that 3 mins in I feel that letdown. Then I pumped immediately after, my goodness that flow! Try this mummas!

[@victoriagarcia-damian2527]

You are SO helpful!! Thank you!

[@amandavandaalen3243]

I wish I knew a long time ago about MULTIPLE let downs! First baby and I tried to do my research and it never came up! I was stopping my pumping after 10-15min thinking I was done. Please share more about this to help others! 🥰 thank you

[@Vvvrr89]

I just don’t know how to relax enough to get a good enough let down. Stress is unstoppable

[@hannahm.9881]

I know this feeling all to well 😢

[@eunicerosales4639]

So eye opening!!

[@jstigmill]

This is so informative. Thank you

[@jennifermerk7693]

So glad I found you!! I was unable to produce for my first two kiddos, now 12 and 11, never experienced a let-down. With my first I ended up with mastitis and eventually was just pumping blood with small amounts of milk. With my second I never really produced more than an ounce at a time between both breasts. Only assistance I was told at the time was to take Fenugreek. Unfortunately that never helped. With surprise baby #3 - I am really hoping to be able to produce and breast feed or at least pump enough consistently for the baby and some extra storage. 🤞🤞

[@cloudgazinggirl499]

Your my favorite person in life! So educational thank you!!

[@NewLittleLife]

Hahahaha yay!!! 🙈

[@NewLittleLife]

I’m tying to figure out how to buy one!

[@jamiebertone7842]

I always learn so much!

[@k.salcidoxx]

love watching your videos btw!

[@biancamarie05]

I can’t feel my letdown while nursing but it kills when I pump. So interesting how everyone is different 😊

[@amyw1112]

Thank you for this video!

[@jasmiin1118]

❤️ Grate info. I definitely feel mine, they are painful 😖

[@raynasvlogs7785]

I'm happy that there is a name for that anxiety with let down DMer I'm definitely gonna look into it I seriously thought I was alone and weird with that feeling

[@NewLittleLife]

I’m so happy you found a name for what you’re feeling! It is so helpful to know you’re not alone. DMER is real and difficult 💕

[@mm8cc]

Thanks for the videos!

[@James52389]

Thanks for this info!

[@Pinktster]

With my 1st my letdown were tingly and warm. Really nice. Felt them every feed or when I would leak. With my son totally different. They are 7 years apart. He is 3 months old now but until a little over a month ago my let downs curled my toes painful tingle. So different with each. I don't even feel let downs anymore at all.

[@charlenasims2545]

Thank you for all this amazing info! I personally didn't feel let downs at first but my nipples would tell me when it's time to nurse/pump. Now I feel them randomly, but don't get the warning from my nipples anymore lol

[@sadiec.4349]

Thank you!!

[@AlyssaL22]

I know this is an old video but it taught me I have D-MER because I experience nausea sometimes!

[@NewLittleLife]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@flippynessa17]

I used to feel the let down until 3 months of pumping until it eventually disappeared. 8 months and counting of exclusively pumping.

[@laurellef7125]

I always got like an itching/tingling feeling every time haha

[@jenniferazer115]

Helpful!

[@k.salcidoxx]

oh man i feel it sometimes lol i had a feeling it was that!!

[@abbyr.]

I don't know if this is normal, but my letdowns are kind of painful 😖 The first letdown I get in a nursing session always feels like rugburn on the inside of my breast. Relaxing does help some, but I always have to breathe through it for a few seconds til it goes away. My baby is ten months old now, and it still feels like that. Does anyone else experience this?

[@cassandradarlington8123]

I definitely have an overactive let down. It burns! The pressure is so strong I have to do breathing exercises as if I'm going through a contraction. My babies seem to be able to handle it for the most part, though if their eyes are closed, they get wide real fast haha. One advice I have for anyone like me, if you feel it or sense it's coming soon, wake your baby up right before. I try to stimute them so they're less likely to choke and they're awake to actively take in the incoming milk. Because of these strong letdowns, I don't go anywhere without my breast pads. A must for me lol.

[@lisakysar883]

Same here!!

[@rachaelcandee2782]

I have no feeling of let down during pumping or when I nursed. I could see it but never felt it.

[@NewLittleLife]

So interesting the variations of normal. Thanks for sharing!

[@eerenay]

I have never felt one either. I do get really sleepy, but it doesn't really correlate when I see baby getting a flow of milk.

[@katiebanley4274]

Mine hurt. Like someone is pinching hard, but usually only the first time in a feed/pumping session. The others don't hurt.

[@victoriamares4904]

I EP for my first and BF / Pump for my second and I've never felt a letdown I can hear them from how much faster the milk pours into the bottle but that's it. I also never get any letdown when my kids cry either lol

[@organicwombtechnology4069]

for me its the heart connection.- when you feel love you let down.

[@NewLittleLife]

Love this 💙

[@Liz.8711]

I get nauseous about 15 seconds before a let down. And my letdowns are quite uncomfortable, like someone is squeezing my breast from the inside. They are always random, I don’t seem to be able to “trigger” a let down. I’ve never had a leaking situation thankfully. For reference, I’m an exclusive pumper (making about 50 ounces a day). You mentioned nausea being a symptom of D-MER, but I don’t have any other symptoms of this disorder at all. I’ve read that oxytocin is also the hormone that makes digestion more efficient, so the two are related.

[@NewLittleLife]

Hormones really effect everyone so differently. What you describe seems like a variation of normal to me (although not pleasant, I’m sorry!)

[@adrisalas360]

I have never felt the let down when my baby is feeding but I have felt it randomly when I am not feeding now that I know what that pins and needles sensation you described I figured that was my nipples just going through things

[@yOulOveKacia]

I recently started feeling my let down. It felt like a surge but now it’s painful now.

[@Mg76b]

Just had ONE margarita and it took me almost 20 minutes to get a letdown. This video was reassuring 🤗

[@christinamodlin7480]

I don’t feel the letdowns while baby is nursing (though I do hear her gulping!). If I have a letdown when she’s not nursing sometimes I’ll feel that tingly/limb fell asleep sensation (not painful, but noticeable) and I feel full. Sometimes I still feel nothing but start leaking!

[@candamariesharpe7486]

I'm a mom of 4. But I pumped with my second. And I breast fed my last 2. It is a tingling feeling. But I can feel it in my nipples. It is like they fill up and I can feel it before it happens. I was making so much breast milk I donated some to the NICU for other moms that had trouble producing for there babies. It is a very special feeling. My youngest 2 are 2 and 1 yr old. And I have been breast feeding for all most 3 yrs. Though I do enjoy the bonding time. I am ready to be done breast feeding. Lol

[@babygirl-oz3cg]

I trust your opinion! Are there any sterilizers that you recommend?

[@caseyswansontvrdik431]

When I pump my right breast takes forever to get a let down, like 10-15 mins even before it really starts flowing and my breasts don’t do it at the same time ever, is that normal?

[@amandalines530]

My let does are actually painful like small stabs deep in my breast. Also they are usually so strong the that my babies in the first few months would choke or pull away not being able to nurse through it. And as you said the older they get the better they get do but my other side always flows so much a towel and even a cloth diaper on the other side. Lol After nursing 7 children and about to be 8 this video is so wonderful. 21 years ago with my first I was so thankful for wonderful lactation consultants and a grandma but many ladies don't have the that anymore. Would you do a video on mastitis? If you don't have one. I over produce and always get mastitis cabbage, compress and massage. I'm looking for a wearable pink if that would help.

[@carolynwatson4301]

I just feel "lightening". A sort of tingle that is in quick waves just at the areola. However, it doesn't happen all the time. I had the same sort of feeling when I was a teen and my breasts were growing.

[@elliwesishawkins4799]

I’m first time mom with a 1.5 month old and I havnt felt letdowns but I DO feel tired when I nurse and there’s always that point where I’m so tired I almost fall asleep it’s so strong I’m so drowsy and if I nurse on my side with baby safe on the bed I usually will let myself doze and then after a minute or two I’ll wake back up and be fine. Crazy to know that could be the let down!

[@MoiTreeLuv]

My letdowns used to feel like pins and needles, now it feels like I’m having an anxiety attack that only goes away when I drink water. I wish I could have depends and needles feeling back. As the first time mom with no guidance I didn’t know that the prison needles feeling that I was having with a let down but I knew instinctually that I needed to go get on the pump it was like a natures alarm clock

[@NewLittleLife]

You may be experiencing some DMER or nursing aversion. This podcast episode might be worth a listen for you! www.newlittlelifelessons.com/podcasts/new-little-life-podcast/episodes/2147710698

[@meganrobinson5304]

I definitely feel mine and it hurts every time. Feels like my boobs are throbbing but just one big throb. Like put pressure on them to help with it hurting.

[@Cyrafairytale]

I cant feel my let down all of a sudden. 1 yr old is now fussing while breastfeeding. Any advice? I don't want to stop breastfeeding yet :(

[@ericabuie88]

Is there such a thing as a slow letdown, or what actually defines a letdown? I usually only have one stream of milk (maybe two if I’m lucky) coming from my breast when I pump. And it usually takes me at least 30 minutes to pump… Since I can’t feel when a letdown is happening, I have no idea if the my slow progression of milk is considered a letdown or not. I would love to speed things up, and wonder if this relates to why my baby wouldn’t nurse/would fall asleep.

[@NewLittleLife]

sorry for the late reply, but it is pretty common to struggle a bit more with let downs while pumping! We tackle this topic and many others like it inside our Pumping Coaching program, if it's still causing you long pump times and frustration, you can learn more about joining us here: www.newlittlelifelessons.com/pumping-for-working-moms-application

[@peaceee93]

So is that bad if you feel nauseous with a letdown or right before leaking?

[@NewLittleLife]

This can be normal unfortunately, but quite annoying as I’m sure you know!

[@YippeeKiaymf14]

My son just had a swallow study, and he is silently Aspirating on thin liquids like Breastmilk. His doctor said I could pump until the letdown and then breastfeed him. But if I have multiple letdowns, then is the first one different then the others?

[@NewLittleLife]

The first one is usually the strongest, yes.

[@YippeeKiaymf14]

@@NewLittleLife thank you! I have that fast and aggressive one, so thank you for your tips in this video!

[@shawnee5162]

The latter let downs will include more hind milk so that may be thicker for your son whereas the initial is usually the thinnest and mostly foremilk

[@MommyBee1589]

With my first three kids I barely felt it but this fourth child wow it’s incredibly painful! After nursing twins for 14 months I guess things are just more intense this time around

[@willgordon5737]

What kind of movies are you watching? Can you send me a list of them?!

[@apb3336]

I breastfed my daughter 5 years ago and definitely had a forceful let down. Like you said milk everywhere! I could feel my let down but it was never painful. I am now exclusively pumping for a surrogate baby and my letdowns are forceful and painful.

[@zainabnasir3728]

I was using a chinese pump. And let downs were easy like i collected 5 oz mutiple letdowns every 2 hours. But i got my spectra yesterday and second letdown is impossible...the output is much lower than the chinese pump...i feel sad ...bought that under 10 dollars and better than spectra

[@abbiesianlouise]

Mine hurts and even a good latch hurts 50% of the time. I'm confused

[@rochelehoward6108]

Pins and needles. But at almost 5mpp I feel them less now

[@nasreenkalam4967]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@katyrgs9547]

I get nauseous as soon as i gwt a letdown. It only lasts about 30 seconds

[@justalittlesweetheart7553]

Is it possible to not get a let down at all? My baby boy is 4 weeks old he won't latch and I've been pumping since day one. I'm only getting half an ounce off of both breasts. I pump for 30 minutes and I'm not getting anything. I don't think I'm even having a let down...

[@NewLittleLife]

You might be right, half an ounce seems like there is no let down :( this isn’t the norm, so there’s something else going on here!

[@lovegas913]

Can you do a video on women with flat/inverted nipples? What breast pumps would you recommend?

[@jaxandcoke9107]

My letdown feels like pressure.

[@lachaparritalola]

I hate when it happens when I'm shopping lol my boobs tingle so bad thay my natural reaction is to hold my chest. It's so annoying 😂

[@denissegabypallares]

Goood

[@omraneya]

Feels Uncomfortable.