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Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding

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Overview

You sometimes may notice that your milk does not flow easily, or let down, when you attempt to breastfeed or use a breast pump. 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. 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.

Credits

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Thomas M. Bailey MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Mary Robbins RNC, IBCLC - Lactation Consultant
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology