Lactating
Lactation is the process by which mammals produce milk from the mammary glands to feed their young. This process is regulated by the hormones prolactin and oxytocin.
Physiology of Lactation[edit | edit source]
Lactation involves several stages from the initial production of colostrum during pregnancy to the eventual weaning of the infant. The process is initiated by the hormone prolactin, which stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk. Oxytocin, another hormone, is responsible for the release of the milk through the process of let-down reflex.
Stages of Lactation[edit | edit source]
- Lactogenesis I: This stage occurs during the second half of pregnancy. The mammary glands are stimulated to grow and develop in preparation for milk production. Colostrum, a thick, yellowish fluid, is produced during this stage.
- Lactogenesis II: This stage begins after childbirth and lasts for a few days. The production of milk increases significantly during this stage.
- Lactogenesis III: This stage is also known as galactopoiesis. It begins around the fourth or fifth day after birth and continues as long as the baby is breastfeeding and the mother is producing milk.
Benefits of Lactation[edit | edit source]
Lactation provides numerous benefits for both the mother and the infant. For the infant, breast milk provides optimal nutrition and antibodies that help protect against many illnesses. For the mother, lactation can help reduce the risk of certain health conditions, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Challenges and Solutions[edit | edit source]
While lactation is a natural process, it can sometimes present challenges. These can include issues with latching, low milk supply, and mastitis. Many of these issues can be resolved with the help of a lactation consultant or through self-care measures such as proper nutrition and hydration.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Lactating Resources | |
---|---|
|
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