Also called the milk-ejection reflex, it can feel like a tingle, a tightening or nothing at all. Some parents have a fast, forceful let-down; others have several let-downs in a feed. Stress can temporarily delay it, which is why calm and comfort help. It's a normal, hormone-driven reflex — its strength isn't a measure of supply.
Glossary
Let-down reflex
The let-down reflex is the release of milk from the breast triggered by a baby's suckling (or sometimes just by hearing them cry).
Related guides
Breastfeeding in the first week
The first week is all about colostrum, frequent feeds and trusting that small, sleepy beginnings are exactly how feeding is meant to start.
Understanding your milk supply
Your body makes milk in response to how often and how well it's removed — and a quiet pump session almost never tells the real story.
Related terms
General information, not medical advice. For concerns about your child, talk with your doctor or child-health nurse.