Oxytocin, Cortisol, and Stress: How Hormones Impact Your Let-Down Reflex

Oxytocin is often called the "love hormone" or the "bonding hormone." During breastfeeding or pumping, oxytocin is released in response to nipple stimulation. It causes the tiny muscles surrounding your milk-producing alveoli to contract, pushing milk toward the nipple through the ducts. This is known as the milk ejection reflex , or let-down ⁽¹⁾ .

Let-down is essential for efficient milk transfer—without it, even moms with an abundant supply can struggle to express much milk during a session.

Interestingly, oxytocin can be triggered by more than just physical stimulation. Thinking about your baby, looking at a photo or video, or even hearing them cry can be enough to spark an oxytocin surge and result in a spontaneous let-down ⁽¹⁾ .

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. It increases in response to emotional, physical, or environmental stressors. When cortisol levels are high, it can inhibit the release of oxytocin —delaying or even completely blocking the let-down reflex ⁽²⁾ .

Chronic stress has also been linked to changes in breast milk composition and a decreased sense of well-being while breastfeeding ⁽³⁾ . Fatigue, postpartum anxiety, and maternal insomnia can all elevate cortisol levels, adding friction to the delicate hormonal balance that supports milk production.

The fear–pain–tension cycle is a well-documented phenomenon often associated with labor and chronic pain, but it’s just as relevant in the world of lactation—especially pumping. When someone feels anxious or fearful (for example, worried about their milk output, pain from pumping, or memories of early feeding challenges), their body can enter a state of tension. Muscles tighten. Breathing becomes shallow. The nervous system flips into "fight or flight." This tension doesn’t just stay in the body—it impacts the let-down reflex, which relies on the release of oxytocin. Without oxytocin flowing freely, milk doesn’t either.

This can quickly become a cycle: you feel stressed because pumping isn’t going well, and because of that stress, your body makes it even harder to pump. Over time, the association between the pump and emotional discomfort can become automatic—your body begins to anticipate that stress, reinforcing the cycle. Some people describe this experience as “shutting down” emotionally during pumping sessions, feeling disconnected, or bracing themselves as they turn the pump on. Breaking the fear–pain–tension cycle takes intention: creating safety in your space, calming the nervous system, and finding tools that support both your body and your mind during sessions. Recognizing that your experience is valid—not just in your head—can be the first powerful step toward change.

The Feher Method is a pumping technique designed to stimulate the milk ejection reflex—aka the let-down—by engaging the senses and leveraging the brain’s natural oxytocin response. Developed by Hungarian anesthesiologist Dr. George Feher, the method encourages parents to look at photos or videos of their baby, smell a piece of baby’s clothing, or imagine holding their baby close while pumping. These sensory cues can help trigger oxytocin release in the brain, which in turn promotes let-down and improved milk flow. The Feher Method is especially helpful for parents who struggle to let down for the pump but do not have the same issue while nursing. By creating a warm, emotionally connected environment—even in the absence of direct contact—it taps into the deep neurohormonal pathways that support lactation.

Dr. Stephen Feher showed that relaxation and guided imagery therapy may be a powerful method for mitigating stress and increasing milk volumes. His study included 55 mothers with premature infants in the NICU. They were either randomly assigned to the study group, where they were asked to listen to a 20-minute relaxation/guided imagery tape each day, or the control group, where they did not receive a tape.⁣

One week later, study participants pumped during a visit to the NICU. The women in the relaxation tape group pumped an average of 63% more milk than the control group. Feher and his colleagues found that the recording was even more effective amongst mothers of infants who were on a mechanical ventilator -- these mothers had an increase of 121% more breast milk than those in the control group ⁽⁷⁾ ! ⁣

Who is up for trying the Feher pumping challenge to see if it improves your milk output? The 20-minute recording is linked here . We recommend listening to the recording once a day for a week, preferably right before or during your nursing/pumping session.

One of the most promising natural ingredients for supporting a healthy stress response is affron® saffron , a clinically studied extract from the Crocus sativus flower. Unlike stimulating or sedating herbs, saffron works by modulating mood and stress pathways in the brain—supporting balance without dulling alertness ⁽⁴⁾ .

Several studies have demonstrated saffron’s ability to:

• Support postpartum “baby blues” ⁽⁵⁾
  
  

• Improve mood and calm nervous tension in stressed adults ⁽⁶⁾
  
  

• Support sleep quality and emotional resilience ⁽⁴⁾
  
  

In one study, 30 mg of saffron daily was found to be as effective as fluoxetine (an SSRI) in reducing postpartum depression symptoms, without causing negative effects on breastfeeding or infant outcomes ⁽⁵⁾ .

Formulated with:

• affron® Saffron to support mood, calm, and healthy cortisol balance*
  
  

• L-Theanine to ease tension and support mental clarity*
  
  

• Magnesium to promote relaxation and better sleep*
  
  

For breastfeeding moms navigating hormonal shifts, middle-of-the-night feeds, and the pressure to “perform” during pumping, this formula offers gentle, non-sedating support that fits seamlessly into daily routines.

If you’re struggling with milk flow during pumping, consider trying these supportive strategies:

• Create a calming ritual before pumping (dim the lights, listen to calming music)
  
  

• Use visual cues —look at a photo or video of your baby
  
  

• Practice deep breathing or mindfulness to shift from a stress state into rest-and-digest mode
  
  

• Support your body nutritionally with supplements like Miss Bliss
  
  

• Avoid multitasking while pumping—being present may make a real difference
  
  

The most important takeaway? Your body isn’t broken. It may just be overwhelmed—and that’s something you can gently support with knowledge, consistency, and the right tools. Let us know your top tips for reducing stress while pumping below and follow @legendairymilk for more support with breastfeeding and pumping! 

1. The let-down reflex and your milk flow – Australian Breastfeeding Association
   https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/let-down-reflex-and-your-milk-flow
   
   

2. Ueda T, Yokoyama Y, Irahara M, Aono T. Influence of psychological stress on suckling-induced oxytocin release. Neuroendocrinology. 1994.
    Link to study
   
   

3. Groër MW. Differences between exclusive breastfeeders and formula-feeding mothers in responses to stress. JOGNN. 2005.
    Link to study
   
   

4. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD. Saffron for treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review. Human Psychopharmacology. 2019.
    Link to study
   
   

5. Khaksarian M, et al. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of saffron stigma in mothers suffering from mild-to-moderate postpartum depression. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2018.
    Link to study
   
   

6. Kell G, Rao A, Beccaria G, Clayton P, Ingram J. affron® mood: Saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2017.
    Link to study

7. Feher S D, Berger L R, Johnson J D, Wild J B. Increasing breast milk production for premature infants with a relaxation/imagery audiotape. 1989.
   Link to study