It’s a common belief that a mother’s breasts fill up with milk when her baby cries. This idea comes from observing that babies often nurse more vigorously and feed longer when they are upset. However, a mother’s breasts do not physically fill up each time her baby cries. Milk production is a complex physiological process that is not directly connected to a baby’s emotions. However, crying can trigger a let-down reflex that makes milk flow faster. This gives the impression that more milk has suddenly become available.
How Breast Milk Production Works
Milk production is controlled by the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates the milk-producing tissues in the breast to grow during pregnancy. It also signals the breast to make milk once a woman has given birth. Oxytocin causes milk to be ejected from the breast. It stimulates the mammary glands and milk ducts to contract and move milk toward the nipple.
These hormones work on a supply-and-demand system. The more milk a baby removes from the breast, the more prolactin and oxytocin are produced, telling the body to make more milk. Therefore, milk supply is not determined by how long or hard a baby cries, but rather by how much milk the baby regularly drinks from the breast.
Crying cannot make the breasts instantly produce more milk. It takes time – from 24-72 hours – for the milk-making system to respond to increases in demand. However, crying can impact the rate of milk flow.
Let-Down Reflex
When a baby cries, this can trigger a mother’s let-down reflex. The let-down reflex is the release of oxytocin that causes milk to flow quickly and freely from the breast. Crying is one of the cues that prompt this reflex, along with seeing, hearing, or thinking about the baby.
The resulting rush of milk may lead a mother to think her breasts have “filled up.” In reality, the milk was there all along, it’s just being ejected more quickly due to oxytocin release stimulated by the baby’s crying. The amount of available milk is essentially the same.
Why Crying May Increase Milk Intake
Although crying doesn’t increase milk volume, babies often do feed more when they are upset. There are a few reasons for this:
- Crying stimulates let-down, so milk flows faster.
- The quick flow of milk is satisfying and rewarding for a crying baby.
- Sucking is calming for babies and may soothe their distress.
- The extra sucking signals to the body that more milk is needed.
When babies nurse calmly and steadily, they consume around 25% of the available milk. When breastfeeding vigorously in response to crying, babies can transfer around 50% of the milk. So while milk volume remains stable, more ends up in the baby’s stomach.
In the short term, crying allows the baby to take in more milk from the current supply in the breast. Over time, increased nursing tells the mother’s body to produce more to meet demand.
How Breast Size Changes During Breastfeeding
While milk supply isn’t directly connected to crying, breast size does fluctuate throughout the day during breastfeeding. Newborns typically nurse 8-12 times per 24 hours. After each feeding, some of the fatty hindmilk remains in the breasts. As it accumulates between feedings, this makes the breasts feel fuller.
The breasts reach maximum fullness around the time the next feeding is due. They feel heavier, warmer, and may leak milk. When the baby nurses again, removing milk from the breast, fullness decreases again. This cycle explains why breasts seem enlarged at certain times of day.
Mothers may notice larger or more firm breasts in the morning after going longer without breastfeeding overnight. Pumping or skipping feedings can also lead to increased fullness. But this fullness represents stored milk, not increased milk volume overall.
Reasons for Increased Appetite and Fussiness
While milk supply doesn’t directly correspond to crying, babies do often nurse more frequently and urgently when upset. There are reasons besides milk intake that may lead them to cry more and feed more eagerly:
Growth Spurts
Periods of rapid growth in the early weeks can increase a baby’s appetite. They may nurse longer and more often to satisfy their needs. Fussiness and crying can accompany growth spurts.
Teething Discomfort
Sore gums from new teeth breaking through can make babies fussy and frustrated. The breast is comforting and stimulating while providing pain relief.
Illness
Sick babies tend to lose their appetite for milk and cry more. But increased nursing can help comfort a sick infant and keep their hydration up.
Overtiredness
Babies who are overstimulated or overtired often get fussy and have trouble settling down. The comfort and closeness of nursing helps soothe them.
Developmental Leaps
Major leaps in development mean babies are taking in lots of new information. More time at the breast provides comfort and reassurance.
Separation Anxiety
From 4-8 months, babies become distressed at separation from their mother. Nursing helps them reconnect.
Tips for Breastfeeding a Crying Baby
While milk supply doesn’t increase because of crying, a fussy and frustrated baby can make breastfeeding more challenging. Here are some tips for calming a crying baby at the breast:
- Offer the breast whenever crying starts – hunger is often the underlying reason.
- Hold baby close with skin-to-skin contact to provide comfort and warmth.
- Try rocking, swaying, or walking while nursing.
- Speak, sing, or hum to distract and soothe your baby.
- Switch nursing positions often if baby seems frustrated.
- Gently rub or massage baby’s back, arms, and legs while nursing.
- Keep the environment calm and peaceful with white noise or low lighting.
Stay patient and keep the feeding relaxed. Avoid tension or frustration, as your baby can sense these emotions. If crying persists, try burping, changing diapers, or looking for other ways to provide comfort after nursing.
When to Seek Help
Fussiness and increased appetite during breastfeeding are normal, especially during periods of rapid development and growth. But excessive crying or difficulty feeding may be a sign of:
- Poor milk transfer due to improper latch or positioning
- Allergy or sensitivity to something in the mother’s diet
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Ear infection, cold, or other illness
- Teething pain
See a lactation consultant or pediatrician if your baby’s crying and feeding difficulties seem extreme or persistent. They can help identify any issues and get your breastfeeding back on track.
Using a Breast Pump When Baby Cries
Pumping is another option when babies are too upset to nurse effectively. Let-down from hearing your baby cry can help facilitate milk flow. Consider these tips:
- Pump after trying to nurse or doing skin-to-skin comforting
- Use a hospital grade pump for best results
- Massage your breasts while pumping
- Pump for at least 15 minutes per breast
- Pump every 2-3 hours if regularly replacing nursing with pumping
The milk can then be bottle-fed to your baby when calmer. This allows your baby to still receive your milk even if they are inconsolable at the breast.
Does Crying Impact Milk Supply?
While crying doesn’t cause an instant increase in milk volume, consistently heightened nursing in response to fussiness can increase milk supply over time. Babies transfer more milk when they nurse vigorously and for longer periods. This signals to the body that more milk is required.
However, frequent crying may be a sign of inadequate milk intake or transfer. This can lead to a decrease in supply since less milk is being removed. Addressing any breastfeeding problems and getting baby latched and nursing effectively is key.
Providing complementary bottles instead of nursing when baby cries excessively can also negatively impact milk production. The breasts receive less stimulation and emptying. Make sure any supplements are truly needed and focus on nursing as much as possible when your baby is calm.
Managing Emotions When Breastfeeding
A crying, fussy baby can be frustrating and emotionally draining for mothers. The constant urge to breastfeed in response to crying can also seem overwhelming. Mothers may feel pressure to instantly soothe their baby and “fill them up.”
But know that some fussiness during breastfeeding is normal, especially during periods of development, distraction, or discomfort. Staying patient and managing your own emotions is key:
- Take breaks when possible and ask your partner to hold the baby skin-to-skin
- Stay hydrated, nourished, and rested yourself
- Talk with other nursing mothers for support
- Consider learning mindfulness practices
- Accept that babies have fussy periods and it’s not your fault
- Don’t hesitate to get professional lactation help and support
With time, both you and baby will get the hang of breastfeeding. Just remember milk supply is based on consistent removal, not short-term crying bouts. Focus on keeping your nursing relationship relaxed and finding ways to comfort your baby.
Conclusion
Crying does not directly cause a mother’s breasts to fill up with more milk. Breast milk production is controlled by the supply-and-demand process. More frequent nursing in response to crying may increase milk intake in the short term and supply over time. But milk volume stays steady regardless of emotions.
While the breasts never spontaneously produce more milk, a baby’s cries can trigger faster milk ejection. Together with the calming effect of nursing, this may temporarily satisfy an upset baby. Patience, comfort measures, and addressing any issues causing excessive crying can help get breastfeeding back on track. Staying in tune with your baby’s cues is key, without putting pressure on yourself to instantly provide more milk.