What is Oxytocin?

Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," plays a central role in breastfeeding by triggering the milk ejection reflex (MER), also known as the "letdown" reflex. When your baby suckles at the breast, it stimulates the release of oxytocin into your bloodstream. This hormone signals the muscle cells around the milk-producing cells to contract, pushing milk into the ducts and making it available for your baby. Beyond helping with milk flow, oxytocin can also have a calming effect on both mother and baby, supporting bonding and a relaxed feeding experience.

What Releases Oxytocin?

When your baby latches to your breast, sensory signals from the nipple travel to your brain, triggering a release of the hormone oxytocin. This stimulates the milk ducts and increases flow, helping them feed efficiently. Even gentle stimulation, like licking or nuzzling at the breast, or hearing your baby cry, can trigger letdown. The process happens repeatedly during each feeding, helping both your little one feed efficiently and you feel connected and relaxed.

What Does the Milk Ejection Reflex Feel Like?

Some mothers feel their letdown, while others may not notice it at all. Common sensations include:

  • Uterine cramping in the early days postpartum

  • Mild tingling sensation or a “pins-and-needles” feeling within your breast

  • Noticing your baby swallowing while breastfeeding

  • Leaking on the opposite breast during feedings

  • Spraying if baby unlatches or during pumping sessions

The amount of time each letdown lasts varies from person to person. Deep breathing and trying to relax during feedings and while pumping will help aid in the letdown reflex.

Forceful Letdown and Oversupply

What is a Forceful Letdown?

A rapid flow of milk or a forceful, overactive letdown can overwhelm your baby, causing them to pull away, cough, or fuss during feedings. Babies may even choke or refuse the second breast.

What is Oversupply?

An oversupply happens when your breasts make more milk than your baby needs. It may result from frequent pumping, overstimulation, or natural variations in milk production. While many mothers manage it successfully, the overproduction can cause discomfort and feeding challenges.

Signs of Oversupply or Forceful Letdown

  • Pulls away, coughs, or cries during feeds
  • Clamps down to slow the flow
  • Rarely breastfeeds for comfort
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Gas, fussiness, frequent spit-up
  • Difficulty breastfeeding for comfort
  • Need to use a breast pump to relieve fullness
  • Nipple damage from struggling to latch

Strategies to Manage Forceful Letdown and Oversupply

Adjust Positions

  • Upright feeding: Most breastfeeding positions can be modified to keep your little one more upright during feeds, helping them better control the fast flow.

  • Laid-back positioning: Try using more reclined or “laid-back” breastfeeding positions. Since the milk has to go “uphill” in this position, gravity will slow the flow, making feedings more comfortable.

  • Side-lying: Side lying can enable your baby to easily pop-off the breast when the flow is too forceful. Make sure you have a waterproof pad under your baby and breast to catch any leaking, so your bed doesn’t get soaked. 

  • Ditch the Nursing Pillow: One easy way to position your baby more upright during feedings, is to breastfeed without the support of a pillow. This allows you to lower your baby’s bottom into your lap, keeping them more upright. 

If positional changes don’t help, you can try gently taking your baby off the breast once you see that they are starting to get overwhelmed. You can collect any leaking or spraying milk in a burp cloth or collection cup. Once your letdown has subsided, try relatching your baby.

Moderate Pumping

Some mothers find that moderate pumping, such as after the morning feeding, can help alleviate breast fullness throughout the day and provide them with expressed breast milk when needed. 

Patience as Baby Grows

Typically, things will balance out around 2-3 months postpartum. As your newborn grows and your supply adjusts, they will often become better at handling the amount of milk, reducing issues associated with oversupply and forceful letdown. Until then, hang in there!

Advanced: Block Feeding

If you are still struggling with oversupply or forceful letdown and your baby is over 2-3 months old, sometimes “block feeding” can help downshift your production of milk. This method of reducing milk supply can cause complications including plugged ducts and mastitis, and may cause your supply to decrease quickly, sometimes resulting in no longer making enough milk. Block feeding should only be attempted with the support of your lactation consultant. 

Seek Professional Support

Mothers facing more complicated situations should seek the combined guidance of a healthcare provider and a lactation consultant. These professionals can provide individualized strategies, hands-on assistance, and emotional support to help you navigate breastfeeding challenges. Even if your situation feels overwhelming, remember you are not alone. With professional guidance, support from your care team, and patience as your little one grows and learns to feed efficiently, most feeding difficulties can improve significantly. Reaching out early can prevent complications, build confidence, and help you reach your breastfeeding goals.

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.