Lactating

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Lactating

Lactating (/ˈlæk.teɪt.ɪŋ/), from the Latin lactare meaning "to suckle", is the process of producing and secreting milk from the mammary glands to feed young offspring. This is a natural biological process that occurs in all female mammals, including humans, after childbirth.

Etymology

The term "lactating" is derived from the Latin word lactare, which means "to suckle". It is related to the word lactation, which refers to the period during which a mother produces milk for her offspring.

Process

Lactation involves the secretion of milk from the mammary glands. This process is regulated by several hormones, including prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk, while oxytocin triggers the release of the milk through a process known as the let-down reflex.

Related Terms

  • Breastfeeding: The act of feeding a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast.
  • Colostrum: The first form of milk produced by the mammary glands immediately following delivery of the newborn.
  • Galactorrhea: A condition in which a woman's breast secretes milk or a milky nipple discharge even though she is not breastfeeding.
  • Mastitis: Inflammation of the breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness.

See Also

External links

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