The letdown reflex (and consequent breast leaking) can be triggered simply by looking at your baby, hearing a baby cry, or even by sex! Because oxytocin is also responsible for orgasm contractions, it can stimulate the letdown reflex at the same time. Breast leaking is a normal part of the postpartum period.
Why are my breasts leaking milk? Some nursing mothers experience milk leaking from their breasts between feedings. This can happen when your nipples rub against a bed sheet, bath towel, or clothing, or when you hear a baby cry. This is a normal sign of a let-down reflex (a strong flow of milk).
Your breasts may leak when they become so full of milk that they overflow. (Leaking is common in women who have an overabundant milk supply). Or you might leak when your letdown reflex – which releases the milk – kicks in.
When you feel the tingling sensation of the let-down reflex begin, put pressure on your nipples to help stop the milk from flowing. Wear clothing that can help hide leaks. Nursing clothes, dresses, shirts, and blouses with patterns can help disguise an accidental leak.
Stash away the silks for a while, and opt for darker colors (better for camouflaging milk marks) until the leaking stops. Avoid trying to pump breast milk to prevent the problem. You'll probably just make the situation worse by stimulating your breasts to make even more milk, which means more leaks. Be patient.
A change in your baby's sucking rate from rapid sucks to suckling and swallowing rhythmically, at about one suckle per second. Some mothers feel a tingling or pins and needles sensation in the breast. Sometimes there is a sudden feeling of fullness in the breast.
Breastfeeding: The Let-Down Reflex
Let-down happens as milk is released into milk ducts in your breast. This usually happens when your baby sucks on your breast. You may even have a let-down when your baby or someone else's baby cries, or for no reason at all.
As a result, excessive leaking and breasts that fill quickly – and even spray milk during let down – are common and normal. At the same time, your newborn is also learning to coordinate the way he sucks and swallows, so some coughing and spluttering at the breast is also to be expected.
It happens when your breasts are particularly full of milk or when something makes your body think that breastfeeding has happened, activating your “letdown reflex”. It can also be an emotional response – some women report their breasts leaking when they hear their baby crying.
After that time of engorgement, or if you're more comfortable without a bra, there is no reason why you can't take it off whenever you want to for sleeping, or during the day. It's totally up to you and your comfort. If you usually go braless, you do not need to wear one during breastfeeding.
Wearing a breastfeeding or nursing bra at night is down to individual choice. If a sleep bra is used for light support at night and to keep breast pads in place, it should fit very loosely so as not to cut into any breast tissue and ideally be made of cotton.
When is breast milk replenished? All the time, even while you're pumping or nursing. Your breasts are constantly making milk, so it's never possible to completely empty them.
In addition, estrogen levels drop after childbirth and during breastfeeding, which can result in symptoms that often mimic those experienced during the perimenopause, such as hot flushes, headaches, or joint pains.
Signs and Symptoms of Overactive Letdown
You may notice milk spraying from your nipple once your baby unlatches. If your newborn chokes on the breast milk because of an overactive letdown, they may not want to latch back onto your nipple and can become frustrated and hungry.
Some women feel this let-down reflex as a tingling or a warmth. Other women don't feel their let down at all. Even if you don't feel your let down, you will see a change in baby's swallowing patterns and hear your baby swallowing.
Regurgitation of small amounts of milk is considered harmless in healthy infants. It is often a result of swallowing air while feeding or the immaturity of the muscles that control the flow of food in their digestive system.
Nipple discharge is the release of fluid from the nipple. It is a very common breast symptom and in most cases is part of the normal function of the breast rather than being caused by a problem.
For breast-fed babies, feed if more than 1½ hours since the last feeding. Be careful not to feed your baby every time she cries. Some babies cry because of a bloated stomach from overfeeding.
3 Months CRISIS:
This is the most common time for mothers to give up on breastfeeding, as its a very challenging time. Some babies will have it at 4 months, specially boys. Why: There are a lot of changes in both the mum and the baby. The baby goes through a maturing phase, the brain is developing neuronal connections.
The Basics of Breastfeeding
Breast milk has three different and distinct stages: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk. Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk. It occurs during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of the baby.
Let your baby end the feeding when he shows these signs he's full: Releases or “falls off” the breast. Turns away from the nipple. Relaxes his body and opens his fists.
Generally, moms should be pumping every 3 hours. Pumping more often can help stimulate breasts to produce more milk. Moms can try pumping both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for 48-72 hours. Then moms can return to their normal pumping routine. Pumping for longer than 30 minutes may not be beneficial.
At the other end of the spectrum, increasing the milk supply too much through pumping can lead to engorgement, blocked milk ducts, and increased risk of breast inflammation, or infection (mastitis).
If you need more milk, pump more frequently, rather than longer. You may also want to make or purchase a hands-free pumping bra for convenience. Instead of pumping every 2 – 3 hours by the clock, some women will decide how many times they want to pump in 24 hours and will track the number of times they pump.