The let-down reflex is what makes breastmilk flow. When your baby sucks at the breast, tiny nerves are stimulated. This causes two hormones – prolactin and oxytocin – to be released into your bloodstream. Prolactin helps make the milk, while oxytocin causes the breast to push out the milk.

What happens during milk ejection reflex?

By sucking at the breast, your baby triggers tiny nerves in the nipple. These nerves cause hormones to be released into your bloodstream. One of these hormones (prolactin) acts on the milk-making tissues. The other hormone (oxytocin) causes the breast to push out or 'let down' the milk.

Is responsible for the milk ejection reflex?

Oxytocin is the principal hormone involved in the milk ejection reflex. Physical stimulation of the nipple activates somatosensory afferent neurons that initiate the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary.