Let Down

I actually feel the letdown in my breasts. It feels like a tingling sensation then they get firm and squirt milk if exposed. If you are consistent with pumping then you'll get enough to fill bottles. I try to pump immediately after my daughter has nursed. That way there is enough milk in a few hours when she is ready to nurse again. Hope this helps.

Whenever I have let down it feels like my boob is tensing up. It happens after a few seconds of the baby being on and then I start flowing. For me sometimes the milk actually streams out, other times it drips during let down. I think it depends on how full I am. When let down is over and he is still sucking, sometimes after a few minutes I will have second let down. Good luck to you, it sure isn't easy to breastfeed but it's a very rewarding experience for you and your baby.

K J,

The lactation consultation that I spoke with said that you can tell that you have letdown when the nipple that the baby is not feeding on is exposed, and it begins to drip while you are nursing. There is an exaggerated letdown which is usually more forceful than just dripping (sometimes your baby will cough or choke while nursing). Your milk supply will determine if you can fill bottles.

I, personally, have experienced a tingling-like sensation when I experience letdown.

Congrats on breastfeeding and keep up the good work! It is tough, but SO rewarding. I have been enjoying it for over 8 months.

J.

Some women don't feel it. The first one is usually what they feel, there are like 4-5 let downs. You can hear the baby drink faster/harder during a let down. It lasts about 10 seconds.

If you are letting down without a nursling attached, sometimes it squirts out, usually in different directions as if a pipe that is under pressure has tiny holes.

If you're sitting braless, you'll see it spray. Using the arm by the breast, you can put pressure on to limit leaking and keep milk for baby.

My lactation consultant also said to look in the corners of baby's mouth while they're feeding. You should be able to see some milk there once you've let down.

When I've been away for a while, the pressure reminds me of when my bladder is full and let down is a releif like peeing.