What is lactation?
Lactation is the process in which milk is secreted from the mammary glands in order to provide milk to a baby. It also describes the length of time that a mother continues to feed her baby this way.
Lactation occurs in almost all mothers who are pregnant and is controlled by the hormone oxytocin, which is released by the posterior pituitary gland (ultimately controlled by the hypothalamus).
Important lactation facts
- Lactation is controlled and regulated by the hormone oxytocin
- Oxytocin stimulates the nipple of the breast to produce milk from the mammary glands
Why lactation is important
Lactation is important as it has several important benefits:
- Allows the mother and child to bond
- Increases the nurturing instinct in the mother
- Enables the mother to provide passive immunity to the baby through the breast milk
- Breast milk is the best, natural source of food for a baby
- While the mother is lactating, there is a decreased chance she will get pregnant at this time (but there still is a possibility)
