Many women do NOT report feeling letdown in the first couple of weeks pp,
however.  I agree with KF that multiple ones are the norm.  Two easy ways
to help mothers recognize this, which I use all the time.

a) IF mother is using a breast pump--ask someone to sit with her and count
the number of times each breast starts streaming milk and then just
dripping or stopping altogether in the usual length of pumping time used.

b) IF mother is breastfeeding, as her (or someone else) to note when baby
starts rhythmic swallowing followed by a series of much shorter jaw
excursions.  Those long draughts and swallows are clear evidence of let
down occurring.

Most new mothers are so caught up in other things that they miss these
obvious signs of baby (or pump). Especially when they do not recognize or
feel the things others tell they "are supposed to" to verify letdown.

One of the most common qeustions I get is fear of inadequate milk because
"I don't have any letdowns."  Meaning? She is not FEELING letdown
sensations and does not know there are other ways to determine them, such
as increased sense of relaxation, warmth, etc.

Whew--I need air. That soapbox was TOO HIGH.  :-)




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]
WEB PAGE: http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html