Q. What exactly is "let-down"?
A. When your baby starts to nurse, he stimulates hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. The prolactin causes milk to be secreted, while oxytocin causes it to be expelled from the ducts. Band shaped cells in the breast squeeze out fat and protein into the milk, giving your baby the "hindmilk". You can sometimes feel this process as it happens. Some women find it very intense, almost painful. Some don't feel a thing. But you will know it is happening as your baby starts to swallow vigorously. Just Nature's way of letting us know that all is working as it should!
