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What You Should Know About Your Let Down Reflex

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 17, 2021

In this Article

• How Does the Let Down Reflex Work?
• What Are Signs of a Good Let Down?
• Complications of the Let Down Reflex

When your baby first latches on to nurse, they don’t actually get much milk at first. Instead, their suckling sends a message to your body to release the milk stored in your breasts. The strength and timing of the let down reflex, also called the milk ejection reflex, varies from mother to mother. 

How Does the Let Down Reflex Work?

If milk came out of your breasts instantly when your baby latched on, you’d probably leak constantly. Instead, your breasts store the milk until it’s needed. Most often, your let down reflex is triggered by a particular suckling motion your baby makes to stimulate milk production.

The let down reflex is a physiological response to your baby’s sucking. They stimulate small nerves in the nipple, which causes prolactin and oxytocin to produce milk and let down milk, respectively. The reflex is often accompanied by a tingling sensation in the nipple, but not all women experience that.‌

If you pay attention to your baby’s nursing patterns, at first their suckling will be faster and shallower to stimulate the release of milk. Once your milk lets down and your baby is drinking, their suckles will be deeper and longer. If they nurse longer and need more milk, they may adjust how they suck to stimulate more milk flow. 

Other let down triggers. Since your brain is wired to care for a newborn, other things may trigger the let down reflex. If your baby cries, or if you hear any baby cry, your milk may let down in response. If you go too long without nursing and your breasts get too full, your let down reflex may trigger to relieve the pressure.

Strong emotions may also trigger a let down of milk. If you are feeling intensely stressed, angry, or sad, your body may take that as a sign that you need to nurse your baby or release milk to alleviate pressure.

If your milk is not letting down, you can physically stimulate the nipple to allow let down. Try gently rolling your hand down your breast toward the nipple, then massage gently. It can also help to relax and think about your baby.

What Are Signs of a Good Let Down?

Breastfeeding is wonderful for your baby, but it is often full of doubts and questions. Are you producing enough milk? Are you doing it right? This extends to the let down reflex, too. You may wonder if your let down is strong enough or too strong. 

Here are signs of a healthy, functioning let down response:

Uterine cramps. You may notice that your uterus cramps during a let down in the days following birth. This is natural and nothing to be concerned about. As with menstrual cramps, for some the cramps are mild and barely noticeable, while for others the contractions can be more painful.

Change in sucking pattern. You may notice a change in your baby’s sucking pattern during a nursing session. Their suckle will go from being short and fast to long and slow once milk lets down. If they need more milk, their sucking may change again to encourage another let down.

Your feelings. Moms often report that they feel very relaxed and even sleepy when their milk lets down. This is a side effect of the oxytocin released during let down. You may also feel suddenly thirsty, which is your body’s way of preparing to replace the milk being removed during a nursing session.

Complications of the Let Down Reflex

Oversupply milk ejection reflex. A powerful let down is often accompanied by an oversupply of milk, sometimes called oversupply milk ejection reflex (O-MER). When your let down happens, you may notice that your baby sputters, coughs, and even chokes on your milk. Your baby may bite down to slow the milk flow. You may leak when not nursing or notice that your baby has more frequent but short feedings if you have an oversupply.

If this happens, keep a bib or cloth handy to catch your milk when it first lets down so that your baby doesn’t choke. After a moment when the let down slows, you can try latching your baby again. You can also restrict your milk flow by squeezing your areola during breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor about safe ways to decrease your oversupply so that your let down is less strong.

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex. In some women, breastfeeding can create a negative physiological response, leading to negative emotions like guilt, anxiety, depression, and sadness. It is usually an isolated response that occurs only when you first let down your milk and into the first few minutes of breastfeeding. This is called dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) and is different from postpartum depression. 

There is still more research needed on the causes and effects of D-MER. Talk to your doctor if you are struggling with negative emotions during breastfeeding. 

Weak let down. You may have a weak let down if your baby seems frustrated while nursing. They may not be getting enough milk, or they may not be getting milk as fast as they want it. Using a breast pump can supplement less successful nursing sessions.‌

When pumping, look at photos and videos of your baby to try and encourage a let down. And just as you do when breastfeeding, try to relax. Take deep breaths and think about your little one, letting go of any stress.

Content

• 1 Description
  • 1.1 Useful properties
  • 1.2 Aculous milk in cosmetology
  • 1.3 Use
  • 1.4 How to cook sour milk at home
  • 1. 5 Harm of sour milk and contraindications
  • 1.6 Product photos
  • 1.7 Recipes from photo
  • 1.8 Similar foods

Calories: 60 kcal.

Energy value of the product Sour milk:
Proteins: 2.2 g.
Fats: 2.5 g.
Carbohydrates: 3.5 g. Although this is completely unreasonable, since such a drink contains many useful substances. According to the terminology, sour milk is milk that has undergone a natural fermentation process (see photo). This happens due to the fact that microorganisms that live around us get into the drink. Sour milk is used in cooking, in folk medicine and for cosmetic purposes. By the way, you can find information about this drink in the ancient writings of Herodotus.

Useful properties

The benefits of sour milk lie in the unique composition of minerals, vitamins and amino acids. As for the calorie content, it can vary, but on average it is 60 kcal, so people who watch their weight or want to lose weight can drink it without fear. It is also worth noting that sour milk is much better absorbed by the body, by almost 90%, but a fresh drink is only 32%. Therefore, with regular consumption, the body receives the necessary amount of protein for life.

Doctors say that sour milk helps to strengthen the immune system and reduces the risk of reproduction of bad microorganisms. The composition of this drink includes a large amount of calcium, which strengthens bone tissue and improves the condition of teeth, nails and hair. With regular consumption, sour milk improves the intestinal microflora. In a few weeks, you can get rid of putrefactive processes in, as well as improve the functioning of the digestive system, as well as the liver and kidneys. Sour milk will help to cope with constipation and improve the condition of poisoning and colitis.

This drink contains B vitamins, which are important for muscle tissue and for the normal functioning of the nervous system, which in turn will help to cope with fatigue, depression and insomnia. There is also vitamin D in sour milk, which reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis and rickets in children. It contains vitamin A, necessary for vision and vitamin E, which is considered responsible for the beauty of the skin.

Cosmetology sour milk

This drink is used for various cosmetic procedures that help improve the condition of hair and skin. On the basis of sour milk, masks are prepared that make the hair more manageable, and they also become shiny. Also, such products strengthen the roots of the roots and moisturize dry scalp. Masks based on sour milk help whiten the skin, that is, get rid of freckles and age spots.

Culinary use

Sour milk is widely used in cooking for various dishes. Most often, it is used to make dough for pancakes, pies, dumplings and other homemade pastries. Sour milk is also used to make various desserts. Also, the drink can be put in the first courses and in some snacks. Cooking various sauces based on sour milk.

How to make sour milk at home

This drink is very easy to make at home. To do this, you need to add pure sourdough to whole milk, for example, kefir or sour cream. It is very important that no other bacteria are present in the milk, so it is recommended to purchase the repasteurized version.

Another popular recipe is to take natural unboiled milk and heat it up to 29 degrees. To speed up the fermentation process, you can add a few crusts of black bread to it.

The harm of sour milk and contraindications

The harm of sour milk lies in the possible individual intolerance of the product. Also, this drink can cause indigestion, dysbacteriosis and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Sour milk - calories and composition. The benefits and harms of sour milk



Properties of sour milk

How much does sour milk cost (average price per 1 liter)?

Moscow and Moscow region

30 p.

We think not many people realize that sour milk can bring much more benefits to the human body than a fresh food product. Some mistakenly compare sour milk with such fermented milk products as kefir, fermented baked milk or even koumiss. This is a fundamentally wrong and erroneous opinion, since the distinctive properties of sour milk, as well as the production process, have little in common with the varieties of fermented milk products listed above.

According to the definition used by the food industry, sour milk is milk that has undergone a natural self-fermentation process over time. Milk turns sour because various microorganisms found in the environment enter the chemical composition of the product. It is worth noting that the properties of sour milk can be used both in cooking and in medical or cosmetic products.

Composition of sour milk

The composition of sour milk contains a fairly large number of various biologically active compounds. In addition, the composition of sour milk contains unique natural substances that have a truly beneficial effect on the entire human body as a whole. The calorie content of sour milk can vary.

However, the average calorie content of sour milk is at around 60 kcal per 100 grams of the product. It is worth noting that people learned to use the benefits of sour milk for their own benefit in the era of Antiquity, as evidenced by written sources. For example, in 470 BC, the great ancient historian Herodotus left a description of a fermented milk drink that had healing properties unique for that time.

Benefits of sour milk

What is even more interesting, the benefits of sour milk are actually higher in comparison with the fresh product. Sour milk is better absorbed by the human body. It is worth noting that according to scientific studies, the digestibility of sour milk is 90% compared to 32% for fresh milk. This means that with regular consumption of sour milk, the human body receives the necessary amount of natural protein.

Doctors say that sour milk helps to strengthen the immune system, and also prevents the emergence and development of many pathogens. In addition, sour milk contains a fairly large amount of calcium. It is worth noting that in addition to the benefits, there may also be harm from sour milk, which can seriously harm human health.

Harm of sour milk

The harm of sour milk can be expressed in the occurrence of indigestion, dysbacteriosis or the development of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In cooking, such a product as sour milk has found a fairly wide application.

We think that many domestic housewives know that pancakes or pancakes, dumplings, as well as donuts or a pie can be prepared on the basis of sour milk. In addition, sour milk can be used to make a delicious, and most importantly, healthy cream dessert. Also, sour milk is used in the preparation of certain types of soups and snacks.

Calorie content of sour milk 60 kcal

Energy value of sour milk (Proportion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates - bju):

Protein: 2.

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