This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (July 2014) |
Overactive let-down (OALD) is the forceful ejection of milk from the breast during breastfeeding. In some women it occurs only with the first let-down in a feeding, occasionally women may have multiple strong letdowns during a feeding. OALD can make breastfeeding difficult and can be the source of some breastfeeding complications. It may also be known as hyper milk-ejection. A woman may have OALD in addition to an oversupply of breastmilk. (Often called foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, hyperlactation syndrome,[1] oversupply colic syndrome, and other near synonyms.) The physical or medical cause of an overactive let-down is still unknown. Whether mothers with OALD have a higher overall milk volume – or a strong reaction to the hormone oxytocin (which causes the let-down reflex) also remains to be seen.