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.

Breastfeeding is a vital process in the early life of mammals

Breast Milk Production

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.

Hormonal Regulation of Lactation

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.

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.

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.

See Also

• Infant nutrition
• Lactation
• Human milk oligosaccharide

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