Secretion of the mammary gland of the newborn of both sexes; due to the presence of the hormone prolactin that travels from the blood of the mother into the fetus. Also known as sorcerers' milk.
| Food and Nutrition: witches' milk |
Secretion of the mammary gland of the newborn of both sexes; due to the presence of the hormone prolactin that travels from the blood of the mother into the fetus. Also known as sorcerers' milk.
| Medical Dictionary: witch's milk |
| Veterinary Dictionary: witch's milk |
Colloquial expression for milk secreted by newborn animals.
| Wikipedia: Witch's milk |
| It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Galactorrhea. (Discuss) |
Witch's milk or neonatal milk is milk secreted from the breasts of some newborn infants. It is the result of influence by the mother's hormones before birth. Witch's milk is more likely to be secreted by infants born at full term, and not by prematurely-born infants. Breast milk production occurs in about 5% of newborns and can persist for two months though palpable breast buds can persist into childhood.[1]
There is no treatment necessary; unless redness, tenderness, or fever develop which may be a sign of mastitis and may require antibiotics.[2] Blood from the nipples is nearly always benign and associated with the normal growth of the ducts not mastitis.[3] Removing the milk from the breasts can prolong milk production but is considered necessary in some cultures.[4] While breastfeeding may also contribute to prolonged milk production and breast enlargement temporary or permanent weaning is not recommended.[2]
In folklore, witch's milk was believed to be a source of nourishment for witches' familiar spirits.[5] It was thought to be stolen from unwatched, sleeping infants. In other cultures milking the infant's breasts is supposed to contribute to shapely breasts in adulthood.[2]
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![]() | Food and Nutrition. A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2005 by A. E. Bender and D. A. Bender. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Read more | |
![]() | Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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