Why The First Two Letdowns are Important

During a pumping session, there is a wide range in the number of letdowns each woman will experience. However, according to a study conducted in 2008, most of our milk yield occurs within the FIRST TWO LETDOWNS. Here is what the researchers suggest to maximize your letdowns: ⁣⁣⁣⁣

1️⃣ As soon as your first letdown occurs, you can take full advantage of the release of milk by switching from stimulation mode to expression mode on your breast pump. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

2️⃣ You will want to adjust the suction to your maximum COMFORTABLE level —this will differ for each woman. Under these two conditions, the researchers found that for the women in their study, 76% of the milk expressed was removed during the first two letdowns. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣3️⃣ Hit the letdown button (stimulation mode) again whenever the milk flow slows to trigger another milk release and repeat the process. ⁣⁣⁣And don't forget to incorporate breast compressions while pumping!⁣

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NOTE:

Legendairy Milk's Imani i2 Wearable Breast Pump and the Spectra pump will remember the level and cycle after the pump is turned off. Therefore, we recommend reducing the settings before turning off to prevent nipple shock! 

Legendairy Milk's Duette™ Dual Electric Breast Pump has four different phases - stimulation (also called letdown or massage), expression, rapid phase, and auto loop (automatically alternates between stimulation and expression phases). In addition, the Duette will reset to level one each time you turn it off and back on - so there is no need to lower it before turning it off.

All listed pumps start in expression mode, so switch to letdown mode at the beginning of a pumping session.

Original Instagram post on this: 

 Resources:

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2007.0028