prolactin - anterior pituitary gland
oxytocin - posterior pituitary gland
Prolactin
The hormone "oxytocin" is responsible for milk letdown.
Oxytocin is a hormone that is released during breastfeeding and plays a crucial role in the process of milk ejection. It causes the muscles around the milk ducts in the breast to contract, pushing the milk out into the nipple for the baby to feed.
The hormone involved in milk production is prolactin, which is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the ejection or release of milk from the mammary glands in response to suckling or stimulation of the nipples.
The hormone oxytocin stimulates the secretion of breast milk. It is released when a baby suckles at the breast, triggering the milk ejection reflex.
oxytocin
The let-down reflex is triggered by the hormone oxytocin, released by the pituitary gland in response to the baby suckling at the breast. Oxytocin causes the muscles around the milk-producing cells in the breast to contract, pushing the milk into the milk ducts for the baby to feed. Emotional and physical relaxation also play a role in the let-down reflex.
There are four in all:Estrogen is the hormone that helps control breast cell proliferation and division. Breast development during puberty begins after the ovaries start to secrete estrogen.Progesterone is a steroid hormone that works together with estrogen to regulate breast development.Prolactin causes the alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars) from the blood supply and turn them into breast milk.Oxytocin causes the cells around the alveoli to contract and eject milk down the milk ducts. This passing of the milk down the ducts is called the “let-down” (milk ejection) reflex.
The hormone responsible for milk secretion in the alveoli of the mammary glands is prolactin. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk following childbirth. Additionally, the hormone oxytocin plays a crucial role in milk ejection during breastfeeding by causing the contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli.
Another main hormone that causes milk production and nursing is oxytocin. It is the same feel-good hormone that’s released during breast stimulation and sex.
The let-down reflex, also known as the milk ejection reflex, is primarily triggered by the hormone oxytocin, which is released in response to nipple stimulation during breastfeeding. When an infant suckles, sensory receptors in the nipple send signals to the brain, prompting the release of oxytocin from the pituitary gland. This hormone causes the smooth muscle cells around the milk-producing glands to contract, pushing milk into the ducts and making it available to the baby. Emotional factors, such as feeling relaxed or bonding with the baby, can also enhance this reflex.
Oxytocin hormone is responsible for stimulating uterine contractions during childbirth and also plays a role in milk ejection during breastfeeding. Additionally, it is involved in social bonding and emotional regulation.