what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

i have the symptoms of it, but no website explains what it is.

TIA

Re: what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

You can actually feel your milk coming down. It's kind of like a tingling sensation that starts under your arms.

Re: what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

ok, that is what I have, is it bad, why all of a sudden, do you think they are to full? DD is 6 weeks old, been BF since day 1, I wonder why I only feel it now.

Re: what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

Are you boobs red or hot to the touch anywhere?

I felt letdown, sometimes painful, because i had too much milk and it was "drowning" my DD. I also felt it more when my ducts where inflamed or at the beginning stages of becoming plugged.

Re: what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

I found this info from American Academy of Pediatrics

As you become more familiar with breastfeeding, you'll notice another aspect of the process: the let-down reflex. The let-down reflex occurs every time you breastfeed. The first few times you breastfeed this let-down reflex may take a few minutes. Afterward, let-down will occur much more quickly, usually within a few seconds.

The signs of let-down are different for each woman. Sometimes when your baby starts to nurse, you may feel a brief prickle, tingle or even slight pain in your breast. Or, milk may start dripping from the breast that's not being used. These feelings and milk flow are signs of the let-down reflex. This means your body is making it easier for your baby to nurse.

You may feel strong cramping in your uterus when your milk lets-down. The hormone oxytocin, which stimulates milk flow, also causes the muscles of the uterus to contract. Nursing helps your uterus go back to its original size. This cramping is totally normal and is actually a sign of successful nursing. The cramping should go away in a week or so.

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You can usually tell when you have had a let down becuase the baby is actively sucking and swallowing more frequently. If you have any severe pain or redness it could be signs of something else

Message edited 10/26/2006 10:22:13 AM.

Re: what does the breastfeeding term "Let Down" mean?

thank you all, there is no pain, just fullness very full, which is uncomfortable, as soon as I nurse I feel better.