Questions in the Maternal and Child Health Forum have been answered by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Continued let-down's 2 years after cessation of breastfeeding

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Lactation

I am a 24 year old woman who has successfully breastfed 2 children, for approximately 16 months each. It has been over 2 years since I last breastfed my daughter, and I experience occasional let-downs. A couple droplets of milk appear, and I experience a terrible burning and pulling sensation in my breasts as well as in my chest, as though I were actually producing milk. This occurs primarily in times of stress, or when I hear a baby crying. There is no possibility of pregnancy, as my husband had a vasectomy immediately following the birth of our daughter.
Is this a normal occurance?
What is it's origin?
Thankyou

Dear Cheryl:
Approximately 30% of women who have breast fed note or are able to express small amounts of breast fluid distant from stopping breast feeding.
In response to breast stimulation and pyschological stimulation such as a baby crying, some women will experience a "milk let down" due to the release of oxytocin from the hypothalamus (a part of the brain). These are well-described variations of normal.

Keywrods: breast milk, not breast feeding

This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your physician.

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Question Title: Continued let-down's 2 years after cessation of breastfeeding

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum Topic: Lactation

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Lactation