Quote:..."boobies..." letdown...warm welcome...
The let-down reflex
◾By sucking at the breast, your baby triggers tiny nerves in the nipple.
◾These nerves cause hormones to be released into your bloodstream.
◾One of these hormones (prolactin) acts on the milk-making tissues.
◾The other hormone (oxytocin) causes the breast to push out or ‘let down’ the milk.
◾The let-down reflex makes the milk in your breasts available to your baby.
◾Cells around the alveoli contract and squeeze out the milk, pushing it down the ducts towards the nipple.
◾Oxytocin also makes the milk ducts widen, making it easier for the milk to flow down them.
◾The let-down may happen if you see or hear your baby or even just think about him.
◾The let-down can also be triggered by touching your breast and nipple area with your fingers or by using a breast pump.
◾People often say that your let-down may not work as well if you are very anxious, extremely tired, upset or in pain. The truth is that breastfeeding is a powerful process. With support and encouragement, mothers cope with many different stresses and still breastfeed successfully.