Why is my milk taking longer to let down?

EarthMama · May 7th, 2012, 15:03 PM

What effects the speed of a letdown? My breasts were bursting only a few days ago, now my baby had to suckle for 15 minutes before they let down

EarthMama · May 7th, 2012, 22:12 PM

Any ideas? I'm about ot start taking fenugreek again

summer rain · May 8th, 2012, 02:38 AM

It probably isn't taking ages to let down-it's more than likely a combination of your supply settling and also after a certain age very few ladies feel their let down physically. I personally don't think any baby would wait around for 15 minutes if they weren't getting something during that time. Xx

Natsku · May 8th, 2012, 04:36 AM

When Maria was about 4 months old it would take longer for my milk to let down, I think it was because I was stressed so I couldn't relax enough. I had painful letdown so I did know when my milk was letting down. But it was a phase that passed eventually.

Cat_pj · May 8th, 2012, 05:09 AM

I very rarely feel my let down now, but thats more of a recent phenomenon. When I did notice that it was taking a while I would try to relax, focus on LO's face while she was feeding etc....Also I read somewhere that visualising waterfalls can help! I have done that too.

I think that you can psych yourself out sometimes- if you become to aware of BF and start thinking about things you can over-analyse. Try to relax!

EarthMama · May 8th, 2012, 17:03 PM

Hmm. Stress is a factor for me lately

Thanks for advice on let down

TigerLady · May 8th, 2012, 18:10 PM

Stress is huge. If you can't relax, your body will have a hard time letting milk down. Hormones can play a role, too.

When I'm having let down issues, I find it helps if I will myself to relax, let all my body muscles go slack (except those used to support LO in my arms), close my eyes, breathe deep, even breaths, hum a lullaby to LO, and even mentally visualize my milk letting down.

blhanson1 · May 8th, 2012, 18:59 PM

I agree with the others on stress preventing a decent let down. Sometimes I don't have a 'real' break at work where I can pump in peace and when I feel rushed it takes forever to get a letdown...if I get one at all. When I do get a let down, I can definitely feel it however! Maybe I'm in the minority on that one.

Also, growing up on a farm, when we would have first-time heifers come into the barn to be milked for the first time after having babies they would often be very anxious and have a hard time letting their milk down. Often we would have to get a shot of Oxytocin in order to be milked.

May 7th, 2012, 15:03 PM	#1
EarthMama Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kapoho, Hawaii Posts: 1,695	Why is my milk taking longer to let down? What effects the speed of a letdown? My breasts were bursting only a few days ago, now my baby had to suckle for 15 minutes before they let down

Status: Offline

May 7th, 2012, 22:12 PM	#2
EarthMama Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kapoho, Hawaii Posts: 1,695	Any ideas? I'm about ot start taking fenugreek again

Status: Offline

May 8th, 2012, 02:38 AM	#3
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,296	It probably isn't taking ages to let down-it's more than likely a combination of your supply settling and also after a certain age very few ladies feel their let down physically. I personally don't think any baby would wait around for 15 minutes if they weren't getting something during that time. Xx

Status: Online

May 8th, 2012, 04:36 AM	#4
Natsku Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Finland Posts: 13,289	When Maria was about 4 months old it would take longer for my milk to let down, I think it was because I was stressed so I couldn't relax enough. I had painful letdown so I did know when my milk was letting down. But it was a phase that passed eventually.

Status: Online

May 8th, 2012, 05:09 AM	#5
Cat_pj Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 713	I very rarely feel my let down now, but thats more of a recent phenomenon. When I did notice that it was taking a while I would try to relax, focus on LO's face while she was feeding etc....Also I read somewhere that visualising waterfalls can help! I have done that too. I think that you can psych yourself out sometimes- if you become to aware of BF and start thinking about things you can over-analyse. Try to relax!

Status: Offline

May 8th, 2012, 17:03 PM	#6
EarthMama Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kapoho, Hawaii Posts: 1,695	Hmm. Stress is a factor for me lately Thanks for advice on let down

Status: Offline

May 8th, 2012, 18:10 PM	#7
TigerLady Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In a Cave Posts: 24,265	Stress is huge. If you can't relax, your body will have a hard time letting milk down. Hormones can play a role, too. When I'm having let down issues, I find it helps if I will myself to relax, let all my body muscles go slack (except those used to support LO in my arms), close my eyes, breathe deep, even breaths, hum a lullaby to LO, and even mentally visualize my milk letting down.

Status: Offline

May 8th, 2012, 18:59 PM	#8
blhanson1 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 726	I agree with the others on stress preventing a decent let down. Sometimes I don't have a 'real' break at work where I can pump in peace and when I feel rushed it takes forever to get a letdown...if I get one at all. When I do get a let down, I can definitely feel it however! Maybe I'm in the minority on that one. Also, growing up on a farm, when we would have first-time heifers come into the barn to be milked for the first time after having babies they would often be very anxious and have a hard time letting their milk down. Often we would have to get a shot of Oxytocin in order to be milked.

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password