Lactating breasts when baby cries.

[Rascalnet]

Why when i was breast feeding my daughter did my breasts leak milk when my daughter started crying ?

My husband is amazed how this would happen when baby and I were at a distance !

I know its called the "let down reflex", but hows it work ! ?

[boobesque]

Your body is quite complex and recognises your babies cries, my baby is 19 weeks now and my body seems to recognise the different cries and my let down reflex only happens when she has her hungry cry!

[helliebobs]

It's not just your own baby either - my mother in law says her breasts would often leak if she heard a child cry in a supermarket!

[boobesque]

Weird, mine only do it when Emmy cries!

[Solarjunkie]

Mine still tingle if I hear a newborn baby cry - my youngest has left school!!

[Pippa68]

Yup ~ when I was a breastfeeding mum I often had the let down reflex when any baby cried!

[Pippa68]

Sorry I didn't actually answer your Q!

The let down reflex works by your lactation hormones (oxytocin) sending messages to your brain..especially if a feed is due. The baby crying can automatically send this message as you associate the crying baby with his/her hunger ~ so your breasts get ready to provide :o)

[loobylou28]

i know its fascinating isn't it? my eldest son was 6 weeks premature and was in intensive care for his first month. i would get the let down reflex in the car on the drive to the hospital every day!! now tell me a father has just as strong a bond with his children as the mother!!!