🥰 The Ultimate Guide to "Liquid Gold": Understanding Your Breast Milk Feedback Cycle!
- farverm
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
By Marie Farver RN, IBCLC
October 28, 2025
Hey mama! If you're like most new parents, you've probably worried at some point about whether you're making enough milk. Don't worry, that's totally normal! With so much information (and misinformation!) out there, it’s easy to get confused. But guess what? Making breast milk is a beautifully simple, demand-and-supply system, and once you understand the amazing Breast Milk Feedback Cycle, you’ll feel so much more confident!
Forget the fancy teas and supplements for a second—the best secret to great milk supply is simply feeding your baby! Let's break down exactly how your body and your baby work together as a single, functional unit to produce all that liquid gold.
💡 The "Four Bs" That Run the Show
To make it super easy to remember, we start with the Four Bs: Brain, Breast, Breast, and Baby. It's so simple, you'll never forget!
[Figure 1 - Basic anatomical structure with Brain, Breast, Breast, Baby]
This simple circle, divided into four parts, is all about the breastfeeding dyad—you and your little one!
The top B is your Brain.
The two side Bs are your two Breasts.
The bottom B is your beautiful Baby.
[Figure 2 – Initial Diagram Complete with Labels]
🔄 The Breast Milk Feedback Cycle in Action!
Think of your baby as calling in a takeout order, and your body being the 24/7 milk production factory! The magic happens in four easy steps as we follow the cycle:
"Given": The first arrow goes from your Breast to your Baby. This just means you're offering the breast. Simple!
"Sucks": Next, the arrow goes from your Baby to your other Breast. When your little one latches and begins to suck, they aren't just getting milk; they are sending a powerful signal!
"Stimulates": This signal travels up a nerve from the breast all the way to your Brain. The gentle (or vigorous!) stimulation tells your brain to get to work!
"O/P": Finally, an arrow goes from your Brain back to your Breast. This is where the powerful hormones are released! We call them O/P (Oxytocin and Prolactin).
Meet the Powerhouse Hormones!
O is for Oxytocin: You might have heard of the "love hormone," and that's exactly what it is! Oxytocin floods your body to help you bond and fall in love with your baby. It's the labor hormone (causing contractions) and the breastfeeding hormone (causing contractions of the milk glands to release the milk—this is your let-down!). Oxytocin is central to the entire reproductive and feeding process—a true powerhouse!
P is for Prolactin: This hormone is the factory boss! Prolactin is responsible for making milk. It stimulates the production line so that you can fulfill your baby's order.
The "Ice Maker" Principle (FIL)
Right in the middle of the diagram, you'll see FIL—the Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation. This is a nutritional protein in your milk that works just like the sensor in your ice maker:
When your breast is full, FIL sends a signal to slow down milk production so you don't overfill.
When your breast is empty, the FIL is removed, and it flips the switch back to "full production ahead!"
The takeaway is simple: Empty breasts make more milk!
[Figure 3 - Complete cycle showing arrows, O/P hormones, and FIL]
🚧 What Can Interrupt the Flow?
Now that you know the positive feedback loop—feeding your baby stimulates milk production—it’s easy to see how certain practices can interrupt the flow.
If any part of the cycle is missed, the chain reaction is broken, and your body doesn't get the message to produce the next batch.
[Figure 4 - Cycle with X marks showing interrupted pathways]
❌ No "Given": If the breast is not offered to the baby (due to separation or lack of frequent feeding), the cycle stops at step 1.
❌ No "Sucks": If the baby is sucking on something else (like a bottle or a pacifier) instead of the breast, the stimulating signal doesn't get sent.
❌ No "Stimulates": Without that strong stimulation, your brain doesn't get the message.
❌ No "O/P": No message means no powerful hormones are released to make and release the milk!
The key is demand! The more the milk is demanded (through nursing or pumping), the more your body will supply. We don’t need more than baby needs – just what baby needs, through responsive feeding. 💖
💖The Bottom Line: Trust Your Baby, Enjoy the Bond!
You are designed for this! The Breast Milk Feedback Cycle is a perfect positive loop: your baby is the expert director, and your body is the responsive producer. Every time your baby nurses, they are placing a new order and giving your body the essential signal it needs to keep that amazing milk flowing.
The Best Kept Secret: It's Mostly About Connection!
Here is the coolest fact of all: Sources suggest that breastfeeding is only about 10% to 30% about food for your baby. That's right! We call it feeding, but for your baby, it’s mostly about connection.
Your baby spent their entire life inside your body—that's the definition of close! Being at the breast is their way to reconnect with you. This deep connection is the source of security, comfort, and joy. You can relax knowing your baby loves you for you, not just your milk!
When your baby sucks, it releases calming hormones in both of your bodies, making it a peaceful, perfect place to be. Instead of focusing on numbers or worrying about "making more," focus on this amazing, special relationship. Your body is biologically competent to nourish your baby. Rely on responding to your baby's cues to make what baby needs.
Your Baby's Feeding Cues (The Real Experts!)
Your baby will show you hunger cues:
👶Early Cues: Rooting (turning head toward the breast), licking lips, sucking on hands/fists, stirring.
👶Late Cue: Crying (this is a sign your baby is upset and may struggle to latch—try to feed before this stage!).
Trust your little one's demand, trust the cycle. Baby's demand equals your supply!
There may be bumps in the road of course. If so, reach out to your local lactation consultant for expert help!
You are meeting baby's needs in so many ways - for nutrition and relationship.
You are masterfully designed and your baby is brilliant. Trust your body, follow your baby's lead, and soak up the snuggles! 👶💖
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