How Do You Know Its Working

How Do You Know Your Lactation Journey Is Working?
The Swelling, the Pins and Needles, and Yes—The Pain.

Let’s just tell the truth: starting a lactation journey—whether you’re a new mom, an adoptive parent, or navigating an ANR/ABF connection—isn’t always the soft, cozy dream social Media makes it out to be. You know the image: a glowing woman in a robe, smiling while milk flows like a peaceful river. But for most of us? It’s more like: “What in the world is going on with my boobs?”

Because when your journey starts working, you don’t always get a sweet signal. Sometimes you get swelling. Sometimes pins and needles. Sometimes tenderness. And yeah—sometimes real pain. It can feel like your chest is heavy and tight, like it's gearing up for battle. That full, uncomfortable sensation is a sign that your body is storing milk. If you notice your chest feels hard before pumping or stimulation and then softer after? That’s a green light. Something’s happening.

Then there’s the tingling. The pins and needles. That weird electric sensation dancing across your chest? That’s the let-down reflex. It's your milk getting ready to move down the ducts, and it means your hormones—especially oxytocin—are waking up and working. It can be uncomfortable or even catch you off guard, but it’s also a beautiful confirmation: your body is responding.

And yes, the pain is real too. The tenderness. The sore nipples. The aching. Especially if you’re inducing lactation or restarting your supply, discomfort can come with the territory. There’s a difference, though—normal soreness is one thing, but intense pain, bleeding, or cracked skin that won’t heal? That’s your cue to pause, adjust your technique, or reach out for support. Pain shouldn’t be your baseline.

Then one day, you might look down and see a drop. Or maybe your shirt feels damp. Cue the celebration. That tiny leak means your milk is there. Even a few sticky drops mean progress. It might not look like a full bottle, but it's your body saying, “I’m doing it.”

What a lot of people don’t talk about, though, is how lactation messes with your emotions. You might feel sleepy, euphoric, tearful—or all three at once. That’s hormones, too. Oxytocin isn’t just for milk—it affects your mind and mood. So if you find yourself crying after a session, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re human.

But maybe the biggest sign that your journey is working? The fact that you’re still showing up. Still massaging, still pumping, still logging your progress, still trying. That consistency—that commitment—is the biggest marker of success. Whether your goal is drops or ounces, it’s not just about what you produce. It’s about the love and intention behind it.

So, how do you know it’s working? Maybe it’s the swelling. Maybe it’s the tingling. Maybe it’s the tenderness or the damp shirt or the wave of sleepiness after a session. But maybe, just maybe, it’s the quiet persistence in your spirit that says: “I’m not giving up.”

You’re doing amazing. Keep going. Every drop is a victory—and every moment matters.