If you pump breast milk, understanding how letdowns work is really important for your milk supply. Here is what you need to know, including what a letdown looks like, how to boost milk supply when pumping by getting more letdowns, and what to do if you have a hard time getting a letdown when pumping.
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What is a letdown when breastfeeding, and why do I care?
A letdown is when your breasts release milk for your baby (or, in your case, your pump) to eat.
Most of the time, when you’re going about your day, your milk stays in your breasts (the occasional leak notwithstanding). It generally stays put until your breasts are stimulated by a baby or a pump.
This stimulation then signals the hormone oxytocin to release the milk from your milk ducts. The milk starts flowing, and this is called a letdown.
What does a letdown look like while pumping?
If you’ve just started pumping, it’s not always clear why sometimes you spray milk and sometimes you’re not getting anything. Here’s how letdown works:
1. You start pumping and milk dribbles out
When you start pumping, most pumps will begin in the “letdown phase” – which is lighter and quieter – for about two minutes.
During this time, before you letdown, you might see milk dribbling out your nipple, and just a few drops going into the bottles.
2. Your milk lets down and starts spraying
When you have a letdown, you will see milk start to spray into the flange and flow more quickly into your bottles.
What does a letdown feel like?
A lot of moms feel a sort of pins-and-needles sensation in their breasts. Some women experience something more painful. If your baby is very young, you may also feel cramping in your uterus.
3. Milk flow stops and milk just dribbles out
After some time (in my experience, 5-10 minutes), milk flow will stop, and you’ll be back to just a dribble, if anything.
Letdowns and how to boost milk supply
So how are letdowns related to how you can boost your milk supply when you pump?
One way that you can pump more milk is to try to get second or third letdowns during your pumping sessions, where your milk starts flowing again after it has initially stopped.
How many letdowns should you get when you pump?
This depends on the length of your sessions – if you’re pumping for 20 minutes, many women are able to get two; if you’re pumping for 30, you might be able to get three.
How much more milk will getting additional letdowns get you?
Everyone is different, but my output for subsequent letdowns was generally about one quarter to one half of the previous letdown.
So, for example, if I pumped 3 oz in my first letdown, I might get another 1.5 oz in my second letdown, and .75 oz in my third. That’s an extra 2.25 oz than if I had thought my breasts were empty, and just stopped pumping after the first letdown!
What if you’re pumping and pumping and your milk isn’t letting down?
If you’re waiting a long time for a letdown, you can end up wasting a lot of your pumping time.
This can mean that you’re not able pump long enough to get a second or third letdown, or that you are but you end up pumping for an unsustainable amount of time.
How to get a faster letdown
If you struggle with not getting a letdown quickly enough, you might have read that you should look at a picture of your baby, hold something that smells like him or her, etc.
These strategies will often work much better for nursing women than for exclusive pumpers, because letdown is a conditioned response – nursing mom’s bodies have learned to release milk when they are close to their babies.
Exclusive pumpers – especially those who switched to pumping early – may not have the same conditioning. Their babies are not always close to them when their milk lets down.
So, what might help you get a faster letdown instead? Here are some strategies you can try.
1. Hand expression
Some women have much better luck getting a letdown with incorporating hand expression at the beginning of their pumping routine.
What you can do is get everything ready to pump and set yourself up on one side, then try to hand express on the other until your milk lets down.
Once that happens, you can quickly set yourself up to pump on the other side and let the pump take it from there.
2. Vibration
Some women find that the vibration from a lactation massager will help get milk flowing and get you a quicker letdown, especially when you are dealing with engorgement.
Additionally, some women who have painful letdowns have noted that it helps with that, too.
(*The lactation massager I recommend is available on amazon, or you can also get a 10% discount buying directly from LaVie with the promo code EPUMP.)
3. Relaxing
If you hate pumping, then obviously it can be stressful to sit and pump.
Try to make pumping as comfortable as possible for you. Make sure you’re warm enough (versus being topless and freezing), and try to do something that you enjoy, like watching a show, scrolling TikTok, or reading a book.
Also, if you get anxious about the amount you’re pumping, try covering up the bottles with a baby sock, blanket, or nursing cover, and try to focus on something else.
4. Heat
Sometimes heat can help trigger a letdown, so a warm compress might help.
Something like a warm washcloth or Booby Tubes are good options.
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5. Try a manual pump
For reasons we don’t really understand, some women seem to have more success with a manual pump rather than an electric pump.
Obviously, using a manual pump is less than ideal since you can only do one side at a time (and it can be hard on your hand).
Try it and see if you can get a letdown more easily with it. Then you can switch to an electric pump after your milk lets down.
Do you find that milk flows slowly once you get a letdown? Here are some tips for how to pump faster.
If you have any other tips for getting a faster letdown, definitely add them in the comments!
Updated to add: This reddit post is hilarious and illustrates the conditioned response thing really well:
References
- Australian Breastfeeding Association. “Let-down reflex (milk ejection reflex).” https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/early-days/let-down-reflex
- Cherry, Kendra. “What Is a Conditioned Response?.” https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-conditioned-response-2794974
- Perles, Karen. “Coping with Painful Letdown.” https://www.care.com/c/stories/4411/coping-with-painful-letdown/
Comments & Chitchat
Carla says
Great article! This really helped me understand letdowns and the importance of them. I also read a letdown provides more of the hind milk, is this true? I started pumping 2 weeks postpartum because I had a heavy supply and felt my strongest to provide for my daughter. I wish my Lactation Consultant told me about other options to get my letdowns conditioned! Smelling my daughters clothes wasn’t doing it and I was so worried when my supply was lessening. Finally with your helpful article I found hot showers and putting my spectra pump on massage mode while thinking “sex” changed my pumping supply for the better! It’s so true that you have to do your own research when something feels off and experiment with your pumping style options!
Jazmin says
Hi so I happened to stumble upon your blog because I’m also a pumping mom trying to increase supply. My LO is 4 months and I do still breastfeed but I work full time so I have to pump. I’m your photos you have milk increasing in the bottles. Makes sense because this is how to get more milk by having more letdowns. In my case though I pump at 9am and get 5oz per side. Then I pump every 2 hours after that but only get 3 oz per side or sometimes 2 oz on one and 1 oz on the other. My letdown is decreasing the more I pump. The same thing happens when I’m nursing my LO so I have to supplement sometimes because he doesn’t get enough. Does this seem like it would be a letdown issue or more of a milk supply issue and do you have any tips on how to fix it?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Jazmin! This is actually totally normal – it’s because your prolactin levels vary over time. They tend to be higher in the mornings and at night, and lower in the afternoons. Here’s more info on this:
https://exclusivepumping.com/milk-supply-highest/
So – this isn’t either a letdown or milk supply issue. it sounds like you’re getting 16+ oz a day at work? that’s really good! (I would look at it in terms of the full work day rather than session by session.) If you find that’s not enough for your baby you could try eating oatmeal and see if that gives you a boost? But I think you’re doing great.
Natalie says
I DEFINITELY feel a let down when I nurse (about once or twice a day) and I feel let downs randomly throughout the day (sometimes even while prepping to pump), but I don’t feel a let down WHILE I pump. I usually only get 1 to 2 ounces while pumping TOTAL, is it possible I’m not having a let down when I pump? Thanks in advance for any help!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Natalie! With the 1-2 oz total – is that AFTER you nurse (so you’ve already fed your baby and are pumping after) or during a separation from your baby? If you are nursing before you pump, that’s a reasonable amount to get in a later letdown. If you’re pumping only, I think it is possible you’re not letting down. I hope that helps!
Ainsleigh says
Hi – I see you say your letdown sprays for about 5 – 10 minutes. My letdown only sprays for about 20 seconds. Is this abnormal? I do happen to get about three letdowns in a 20 minute pumping session.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Ainsleigh! How much milk are you pumping total in 20 minutes?
Samanths says
Im in the same boat…I have 3-4 letdowns in a session, but they are TINY & I only get about an ounce-1.5oz per breast in a 30 minute session. I pump enough total in a 24hr period for my baby, but it is a lengthy process and I’m having to pump much longer than 20-30 minutes to get more letdowns and more milk. How do I increase the amount of milk dispursed per letdown?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi there! I would look at some of these options to increase milk supply!
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
Aleasha says
I have a 5 month old and have been pumping at work since he was 8 weeks old. I do everything i am suppose to in regards to drinking enough and eating healthy and still am not able to get more than 6-8 oz pumped in a day so we have to mix 50/50 with formula to get thru the day, but if he nurses I am able to satisfy him. Currently I am pumping three times a day for 30 minutes (I work from 9-5) any suggestions?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Aleasha! Here’s what I would recommend. Congrats on your sweet baby!
https://exclusivepumping.com/not-pumping-enough-at-work/
Rose says
I have been exclusively breastfeeding for 4months. I started giving my baby solids for a month now and now that I had to return to work I am only able to pump 1 ounce with both breasts combined. Usually to get this amount I have to pump for like about 30 minutes. I am really struggling with trying to get more milk to come out. I would be so excited if I was able to pump atleast 4 ounces per pumping session. Any ideas on how I can achieve that goal? Also I do get like 3 letdowns per day but thats only when my baby is on me not from the manual pump or the electric pump.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Rose! Can you describe your current nursing/pumping schedule for me? Also, this post has some ideas that might help –
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
Boer Deng says
Hi Amanda, all your tips are very helpful and the books are very well-written and easy to read.
I am 8wks postpartum and I struggled a lot with breastfeeding and just came across your blog and books so I’m just catching up with the 120 minute rule. I am planning on pumping 8 sessions for 15 min each until 12 weeks. My main issue (I have elastic nipples and had tried pumping pals, lacteck, liquid shield, seems only pumping pals is working ok for me, I get more milk out from Spectra’s own flanges but I will get bad pain after pumping) is I get 1 let down and that’s usually it for no matter how long I pump. I can be pumping for 30 min but there’s barely any milk coming out after 10 minute. I have tried all your tips after 10 min. I have a LaVie massager but still nothing come out. Although I am pumping just enough for my 8wk old right now, I want to build a stash as well for the future but I am not able to get any extra. I feel like I exhausted all options in products and methods. My supply actually dropped because I was experimenting so much on different flanges and they were able to empty me to different degrees. Can you please help me with getting the second and the third letdowns? Thank you!!!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Boer! OH I’m so sorry to hear that. Can you tell me exactly what you tried? Also, how long does it take you to get the first let down? Thanks!
Joanne says
Hi how many times a day can we do 20-10-10 pumping? Thanks
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Joanne! There isn’t really an evidence-based limit. Once is great, if you can do two and not get burned out that’s fine too. 🙂
MrsFrazier says
I was fine with my milk up until my 6 month old started teething…went from 8oz per session to barely 2 oz together. If you have to supplement so be it as long as baby is fed and healthy. Do your research and remember stress decreases your milk horribly!! But I got some tips I hope can help!!
Ladies!! Beer has brewers yeast… that helps with production or milk…drink it (like a 2 oz shot of beer) the night before u need to pump and wait hours in between (please dont pump and dump) and ur body will rid itself from the alcohol. If your to scared it’s still in your system and dont wanna try body armour drinks are amazing. Dont Matter the flavor! It has coconut water (u could drink coconut water on it’s own too) and vitamins in it which boost ur milk supply. If ur horrible with water then u cant go wrong with these in your place (more ideal then Gatorades or powerade) I have bought legendairy set (liquid gold, pump princess and something else I forgot the name) they ask u to take the pills 10 days and then switch to taking another for 10 days…in a rotation. I have only been taking it for a few days (2 pills 2xs a day) and have started to notice a slight increase in that short time. Smoked on crackers with cream cheese is a great omega 3 boosting snack to help fatty milk. Elastic nipples is a thing (when ur nips double and size after pumping and ur nipple is all the way in the tube of the flange no matter the size. I’m learning my 3rd time around lol there is a new product called pumpin pals…check it out on YouTube. It’s made for moms with that. Also if u have spectre check out the medela hack to use with a spectre pump. Get a haakaa and a pumping bra…its a must. Place pump on 1 side and haakaa…do a 10 to 11 min session then switch…keep going until u dont see much milk coming out. Men xant handle this! It’s hard work that’s why we were assigned the tasks lol Good luck mommas…YOU got this. Btw tip…get brewers yeast and flax seed on Amazon and mix it into ur betty crocker ready to mix and bake cookie/muffin/ brownie and save some money 😁
Excuse the typos if any are present lol
Arielle says
Hi, I’m having a lot of trouble getting a faster letdown. My let down won’t occur until 10-15 minutes into pumping and so I’m stuck to my spectra for 30-40 minutes instead of 20. Do you have any advice? I’ve learned going between bacon and regular mode every few minutes speeds up my let down, if I stay on bacon until I get a let down I’ll have 20 min sessions where no let diem occurs, just drops.
Amy says
Hi I’m confused about this letdown business! I have been exclusively pumping for 3 months and I just let the pump hang on for longer and longer at the same setting when I need more milk!!! So if I notice, the milk stops, I should go back to the letdown phase on my pump ( I have the Medela Freestyle Flex)? For 2 minutes again or do I do it until I see milk spray? Please help!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Amy! Yes, you have it right!
SaraC says
Just had my 2nd a couple weeks ago. In contrast to my 1st, my milk came in on day two and for 10 min of pump, I could get 3 oz on each breast. Now, 20 days in, I’ve been attached to the pump for 40 min and barely get 2 oz on each side :(. My pump isn’t automatic (it’s the Evenflo Double) and so I’m not sure if I’m not following directions or if I should just give up!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Sara! I’m not familiar with that pump, I’m so sorry! Is this the pump that you used for your first?
COCO OLIVIA says
For My Baby, my milk supply gotten Low on 2 nd month where I topped up with formula. Once I back to work, I only able to express few few drops than stopped. I bought lansinoh pump time help but unfortunately it didn’t work. I did health screening and found I was having post partum thyroidiris that affected my breastfeeding journey and started on thyroxine. I cried To my husband and feel badly guilty To my elder one.
With hypothyroidism and thyroxine treatment, I conceive my second daughter and manage to feed her breast milk closed to 6 months. With extra milk, I feed my elder daughter for her early morning almost closed to one month. I was felt relieved.
Currently conceived my third baby, I really prepared with my nursing plan and pumping as second helper to lengthen my breastfeeding journey. Thank you for all your advise about more letdown technique. I will definitely do it. I really happy to read all your comments which I didn’t manage to find in YouTube channel. You all are great mother.
Sara says
After reading this, I am concerned I don’t get letdowns. I just had my second baby, and this is my second go at pumping. I can’t seem to get the hang of nursing, so as soon as I get home from the hospital I get on the pump. Well, with my first I never got more than an ounce each pump. This time, I have tried everything to avoid that; brewers yeast, fennel Greek, oatmeal, teas, drinking an insane amount of water, everything. And I still can’t produce more than an ounce, if that!! And I am talking total, not per breast. Based on the description of a letdown, I have never experienced that. I don’t feel anything different, and it is always just milk dribbles, no flow. I pump for 20 minutes, 8 times a day. But I don’t know what else to do to get this working.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Sara! Wow, that sounds frustrating! Hmmm … do you find yourself leaking sometimes? Like maybe in the shower?
I don’t know if these will help, but a few ideas that I had were using a warm washcloth as a compress before pumping, doing breast compressions while you pump, trying hand expression (there are youtube videos you can watch to figure out what to do), and try vibration (like an electric toothbrush). I hope this helps!!
Nina says
you may need to check the fit of your flange size you are using on your pump. So i would suggest googling for a fit guide. Also you might need to consider playing with your pump setting a bit more. Depending on the type of pump you use (Spectra, PIS, or other) Breast compression and massage are a big helper for me. In addition to having a sung hand free bra. I would also highly suggest following Legendary Milk’s instagram account they have a TON of information and tips for pumping moms! Hope this helps!! I too was a struggling pumper with my first and didn’t know half of the things i know now. Also dont forget to drink a TON of water (like your body weight in OZ) everyday, i see a drop if i haven’t done this. Good luck!
Roxanne says
I am almost 2mpp and I am just learning about let downs now. I usually pump every 30mins. (My flow stops at 20min then will pick back up for the other 10min) I do one let down at the beginning in the expression mode for 2min or less. Should I be switching back to the expression mode throughout my pumping? Like when my flow stops at the 20min mark should I switch back then?
Amanda Glenn says
You can do it either way! For some people it will make the second letdown come more quickly. Test it out and see if it does for you, and then you can adjust accordingly! 🙂
Jen says
I mostly breastfeed but like to pump at least once a day to keep my little one bottling for her daddy or grandparents. I was getting discouraged because my supply seemed to be decreasing dramatically. I made a few changes that worked amazingly for me. I read my pump manual and adjusted how I held the phalange on my breast doing a C shaped hold with my thumb and forefinger and using my other 3 fingers to give my breasts support – kinda pushing up a little gently. I stopped double pumping and started hands on pumping. I gently massage each breast throughout the pump. I’m also less stressed with single pumping because I was always scared that I would lose my seal or spill my milk and frustrated that I never had a free hand to do anything…even scratch the tip of my nose (I don’t have a pumping bra). The final change was my husband finishing his university classes made a huge impact on my stress level… so it’s true, find a way to relax, take advantage of friends and family who want to help or support you. I went from struggling to get 70 ml total with double pumping for 35 minutes to getting 100 ml per side in 5-10 min per side or 10-20 min total. I can’t guarentee that these are the magic tips for supply but they really helped me so I wanted to share them in case they helped anyone else too!
Krystal says
Thanks for everyone’s comments and suggestions, this is my second go round with nursing and pumping and I really want things to go right! You guys are rockstars!
Angelina says
I have found that if I drink hot tea (it’s usually my mother’s milk tea mixed with chamomile) while pumping, my let downs last longer and are closer together! Not sure if it’s just the drinking in general, or if it’s the warmth of the liquid.
Chrissy says
Would it be normal to only have one letdown? I got about 6.5oz out of my first letdown (in ~10 min) but not seeing another letdown (only a few drops here and there) and I’m at almost 19 min.
Anna says
Drinking warm decaf helps my let down starr faster and last longer. I used to have trouble getting more than one let down. Now I get two or three per session. Gotta relax, think of baby and drink something warm and delicious ♡
T says
I’m a 1st time mom and started pumping 3 weeks after my LO was born. I average about 2.5-3 ounces per session at 30 minutes per session. I don’t feel my letdowns so I’m not sure how many occur each session. I didn’t feel my letdowns when we were trying to nurse either. Any tips for those who don’t feel their letdowns?
Additionally, since I’m trying to be an exclusive pumper is the amount pumped per session correct for my LO’s age (1mo 6days)? Or, correct for how long I’ve been pumping? I keep reading how much supply others have and I’m no where near the amounts I see!!
Amanda Glenn says
Hi T! How many times do you pump per day? I think 2.5-3oz at 1 month sounds normal!
Do you SEE letdowns, even if you don’t feel them? (The milk is just dribbling out and then starts to spray?)
Char says
Hello! Before I went to the Lactation specialist last week I was pumping on the expression phase for quite a few minutes until my first let down. Then I would switch it to the slower pump to express the milk out. Once the let down was done I switched it back to the expression phase to try stimulating the breast for another let down. I was doing this back and forth for 30 minutes and pumping about 7 oz total. After I went to the lactation specialist she introduced me to a new pumping technique which is rather tidious; however, has increased my supply and increased each pump in less time. It’s switching back and forth every six seconds. It mimics how a baby stimulates the breast. I’ve experienced more let downs and I’m now producing around 12 oz in less than 20 minutes. It’s really worked well for me if you can stand pressing the button every six seconds or so. It’s actually made pumping go by a lot quicker for me because I just put on a show and click the button every six seconds. It also has made my nipples feel better because it’s switching back and forth rather than sitting on one setting for longer periods of time.
Hopefully that’s helpful! It was super helpful for me and I want to help anyone else out if they have pumping issues as well!
Chrissy says
Interesting! I’m just now seeing this comment – perfect timing as I’m about to pump for the first time for my 3 week old. I’ll let you know if I have questions after. Thanks for sharing!
Jenn says
I use the quick setting to begin the letdown, then the slow setting like normal. Then when I notice the flow stop, I repeat the quick setting and then the slow setting. I can get about three let downs in 20 minutes.
Chrissy says
Question about pumping. So you start out with the lighter “expression” phase, then once you feel the letdown trigger, that’s when you switch the pump to the more intense (not sure what it’s called) phase? From there, you would stay on this setting until you feel your letdown is complete (and possibly start the process over 1-2 times in hopes for another letdown or two if timing allows)? Do I have this right?
I’ve never really been clear on this, but feel like this thread is working toward making it clearer!
Amanda Glenn says
You’ve got it! 🙂
Jackie says
The thing that helped me the most was watching videos of nursing babies or a pumping video of a let down. Seeing the Milk spray was key! Even reading about nursing or pumping, like an article on power pumping or nursing stories! Sounds weird but ALWAYS worked!
Angie says
Making sure the flange is the right size make a huge difference. You want to stimulate like the baby nursing on your areola. If you are just tugging on the nipple, you won’t get as much if any milk out. That is just a waste of time. Make sure the flange is large enough to pull some areola in as well. Your nipple should not be touching any of the wall of the flange. If it is, get a larger size.
Chrissy says
Awesome advice! Another trick I like to use is to turn the pump off after I feel empty. I wait a minute or so, and turn it back on. This restarts the stimulation phase of the pumping, and tends to get me some extra in the next let down phase
Anita says
I’m glad I stumbled upon this! I’ve been getting less and less during pumping sessions, and I’m willing to try anything at this point to get that milk out for my baby (working mom here). I will definitely have to pay more attention to my letdowns and try to get multiple ones in a session. I have been doing a lot of hand expressing, but it does wear out your hand!
Courtney says
Just a little confused is it ok to go longer than the 30 minutes when pumping? Some other articles I read before this one said it wasn’t good.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Courtney! It’s fine to go longer than 30 minutes. I’m not sure where that recommendation comes from.
Valeria says
Has anyone tried lactation cookies ? Do they work?
Amanda Glenn says
I think that they work about as well as nursing teas? That’s what I’ve found for me personally. (Which is to say there is a difference, but it’s small.)
Kylina @bootiesandthebeast says
This was super helpful. I used pump for a ridiculous amount of time not realizing I could get more let downs with the button right on my pump. It’s nice to be more educated now.
Dakota says
Wich button I have a spectra2 plus the pink one wondering Wich setting is expression and Wich settings I should have on for let downs
Amanda Glenn says
The one that looks like bacon is the massage mode
Estrella Valle says
That 3oz on the first let down is awesome! I only get a total of 3oz for a 30min pump (1.5oz on each breast). I try to relax but still the same. So frustrating! When my let down starts, count for 10seconds and it’ll stop. I really need tips like this! Hopefully, I can pump more milk.
Sehrish Naseem says
Your milk depends on your anxiety and stress level. So keep yourself calm and try to have enough sleep to keep you stress free. Increase your water intake and try drinking “Healthy Nursing Tea”. It’ll definitely work!
Stephanie says
For me, restarting the “expression fase” will trigger a second letdown. I’ve been exclusively pumping for 4.5 months and any time I forget to restart the expression part (at about 10 minutes in), don’t massage or am stressed I get a little over half as much milk! Doing it this way I have gotten as much as 18oz in a single 20 minute pumping session! My average with this routine is 9-12oz a session
Angelica says
That is awesome!!! How many time do you wait from one to another session?
Ashley says
If you’re not in the same location as your baby, try watching videos of them, listening to recordings of them crying, looking at pictures of them, or smelling a clothing item that belongs to them to help trigger your brain to allow a letdown.
Chelsey says
What works for me is closing my eyes and visualizing the milk starting to flow again. That kind of goes along with your tip of relaxing, but I almost meditate, try to block out distractions, and really focus on feeling the let down. It usually works in less than a minute.
Amanda Glenn says
Great tip!
Dv says
Today i tried wahl hot nd cold massager.ssems to be helping with let down.i got the amount in 25 min which usually needed 45 min of pumping.i need to check if its consistent
Amanda Glenn says
That is great!
Dv says
I sometimes experience letdown when not pumping.when i pump after 30 min why am i not getting milk immediately since i already had a letdown even before pumping.has anyone experienced this?
Amanda Glenn says
This is totally normal (and really frustrating)! Leaking when you’re not pumping only to NOT get a letdown when you are pumping is really annoying.
This can happen because letdown is controlled not by how full your breasts are, but by your brain. Letdown is a conditioned response, like Pavlov and the dog. That doesn’t really explain why you brain decides to let down when you’re on a bus versus trying to pump – unfortunately it doesn’t work perfectly. It does get better as your baby gets older and leaks because much more infrequent.
Bianca says
Yes. I used to have a let down atleast every 40min. No matter where I was or what i was busy doing. Then i realised whenever I made myself a bath and thought about going to the tub and opening the taps, I’d get a letdown. Also weirdly enough, during sex I also got a letdown everytime.. I had to get those boobs silicone cups you put in your bra because of all the let downs all the time. But sometimes when I sat down to pump… No letdown.