What is Milk Ejection (ME)
(Also Known As “Let Down”)
Straight from the Research
“The ME reflex is a neuroendocrine reflex is triggered by nipple stimulation sending neural impulses to the hypothalamus stimulating the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland into the maternal bloodstream.”
“Oxytocin then travels via the maternal circulation to the mammary gland, causing the contraction of the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli forcing milk through the ductal system towards the nipple for removal by the infant or a breast pump.”
“The force of the milk flow dilates the ducts and increases positive pressure within the ducts. This reflex, occurs within 60 s and 90 s for breastfeeding and pumping respectively in both breasts simultaneously with slight discrepancies due to binding of oxytocin to fuller alveoli. Milk ejection is transient lasting 45 sec to 3.5 min with multiple MEs measured during a feed or pumping session (breastfeeding: 2.5; breast pumping: 4.4).”
(PWP Note: Pump with Purpose has seen one letdown last as long as 28.5 to 35 minutes total during a Real-time Pumping Session” and as many as 8-10 letdowns in others).”
“In relation to milk removal during pumping, the majority is removed during the first two MEs (76–86%).”
In Summary:
“Milk ejection
-Milk ejection is critical for milk removal
-Milk ejection patterns are unique to the individual
-Milk ejection patterns do not change with stimulus (breastfeeding or pumping or different pumping patterns)
-Milk ejection patterns do not change over lactation
-Milk ejection patterns do not change between lactations”
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