It's important to know that not all moms experience these signs, and that's okay. Even if you don't have a let-down response, you can still nurse your baby adequately and pump milk without any problems.
It is normal for let-down not to feel as strong as your baby gets older. Some mothers never feel let-down, and some stop feeling the let-down sensation as time goes by.
With poor let-down, you may not experience the tingling and leaking of milk that usually occurs when your milk begins to flow. You may develop sore nipples because your baby has to work harder or you have to pump longer to get the breasts to release milk. Increasing your comfort and level of relaxation often helps.
At this time their breasts may no longer feel hard before a feed, and they may stop leaking milk. These concerns are due to their breasts only producing the volume of milk their baby needs, and only producing it when their baby needs it and is not a sign of a low milk supply.
Emotional stress, fatigue, anxiety, smoking, pain, or being cold are common causes of poor let-down. With poor let-down, you may not experience the tingling and leaking of milk that usually occurs when your milk begins to flow.
The let-down reflex generally occurs 2 or 3 times a feed. Most people who breastfeed only feel the first let-down. The let-down reflex can also occur with stimulation of your breasts, such as by your partner.
Your milk supply is considered low when there is not enough breast milk being produced to meet your baby's growth needs.
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.
How do I know whether my breasts are empty? There's no test or way to know for sure. In general, though, if you gently shake your breasts and they feel mostly soft and you don't feel the heaviness of milk sitting in them, you're probably fine.
Most often, your let down reflex is triggered by a particular suckling motion your baby makes to stimulate milk production.
Often when babies have had enough they'll detach and pull away from the breast. They can sometimes get frustrated and cry when their mother tries to get them back on. Another thing they do is fall asleep. Lifting the little arm that's most likely resting on your chest is a good way to tell.
Q: Do you need to constantly squeeze/pump the Haakaa like other manual breast pumps? No you don't need to provide a constant pumping action like a traditional manual breast pump. A couple of quick squeezes of the base can help to trigger a letdown however, or help if milk flow slows.
There aren't two distinct types of breast milk with one being inferior to the other, it is a continuum of subtle changes. Hindmilk is released with every milk ejection (let-down).
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.
Avoid pumping too much
Pumping tells the body to make more milk. If you are relieving engorgement pressure by pumping before the baby feeds (or after), it may make your leaking worse by encouraging a bigger supply of breastmilk.
Your body is always making milk. That means there's no need to wait for the supply to “replenish” between feedings. In fact, waiting a long time between feeding your baby can actually reduce your milk supply. That's because your body does an amazing job of producing the right amount of milk to keep your baby happy.
Estimates on the prevalence of low breastmilk supply vary. While a handful of studies suggest low supply affects 10 to 15 percent of mothers, the lactation consultants I spoke to said it is one of the top reasons they receive calls for help.
When is it Too Late to Increase Milk Supply? A mama's milk supply typically peaks between the first 4-6 weeks. After 6 weeks, it may become more difficult to increase your supply.
Haakaa and your supply
Breastmilk works on supply and demand so like any pumping method, the Haakaa's suction does extract milk which may increase your supply. It's not the Haakaa – or any other pump – that directly causes an over supply, it's how you use it.
As long as there is milk in your breasts, the continuous suction of your Haakaa pump will draw it out - not JUST during your letdown.
Here's how letdown works: 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.
If you do not feel your milk letting down, it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong. You may never notice it, or you may feel it in the first few weeks then less over time. As long as you can see the signs your baby is getting enough breast milk and growing well, you don't have to worry.
Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs: Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks. Still and looking into space while nursing. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.