Can a baby's sucking stimulate milk production?

Usually, the baby's sucking can stimulate milk secretion, but the effect may vary from person to person.

When the baby suckles the breast, it stimulates the nerve endings around the mammary ducts, sending nerve signals to the anterior pituitary gland in the brain, prompting the pituitary to release prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin promotes milk synthesis and storage, while oxytocin causes contraction of the mammary ducts, facilitating milk ejection, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop for milk secretion. Frequent and effective sucking can more effectively stimulate milk production.

To increase milk production, mothers should encourage babies to suckle more often and try to prolong each sucking time. Each feeding should last at least 10–20 minutes to ensure adequate stimulation of the mammary glands and promote milk secretion. In addition, when the mother has sufficient nutrition, adequate rest, and a pleasant mood, the volume of milk secretion will also increase accordingly. Mothers should maintain good habits and emotional well-being during lactation to ensure adequate milk production.

In daily life, mothers should follow the principle of feeding on demand during lactation, meaning the baby can nurse whenever he or she wants. It's also important to observe the baby's sucking pattern and milk production to adjust the breastfeeding strategy as needed.