North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

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What action stimulates the production of oxytocin for milk ejection?

Breast massage
Baby's sucking
Breath control
Milk expression

The correct answer is: Baby's sucking

The action of the baby's sucking is a powerful stimulus for the production of oxytocin, which is crucial for milk ejection during breastfeeding. When the baby suckles at the breast, sensory receptors in the nipple send signals to the mother's brain. This triggers the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin then acts on the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli in the breast, causing them to contract and effectively eject milk into the ducts from which the baby can access it. This physiological response is part of the milk let-down reflex, illustrating the intricate connection between the baby’s behavior and the mother’s hormonal response. The effectiveness of this process underscores the importance of the baby's sucking as both a feeding mechanism and a critical trigger for milk production and ejection.