Breast milk
Breast milk' is a natural, nutrient-rich fluid produced by female mammals to nourish their young. This vital food source is tailored to the needs of the infant and provides the necessary nutrients for growth and development. The process of feeding an infant with breast milk is referred to as breastfeeding.
Breast Milk Production[edit | edit source]
The production of breast milk, or lactation, is a complex process regulated by a series of hormonal interactions. The changes in breast size and tenderness experienced during pregnancy are indicative of the milk-producing cells, known as alveoli, preparing for lactation. Some women may not feel these changes, while others may experience them more prominently after childbirth.[1]
Hormonal Regulation of Lactation[edit | edit source]
The hormone prolactin plays a key role in initiating and sustaining the production of milk. During breastfeeding, the baby's suckling stimulates the release of prolactin, which in turn signals the alveoli to produce milk.[2]
Concurrently, the hormone oxytocin is released. This triggers the contraction of small muscles around the alveoli, prompting the "let-down reflex," a physiological response that enables the milk to travel down the ductal system to the nipple, ready for the infant to feed.[3]
This intricate hormonal interplay can also induce a strong emotional bond between the mother and her child, often enhancing the mother's desire to care for and be with her baby.[4]
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Breast milk Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
| Source |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Types | ||
| Products | ||
| Containers | ||
| Topics | ||
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
