lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

plural lactations

1

: the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands

… there may be overproduction of prolactin, the breast milk hormone. A sign of that might be abnormal lactation.

—Paul G. Donohue

When a doe kids and begins lactation, she must draw on the calcium stored in her bones to furnish enough blood calcium for milk production.

—David B. Weems

… lactation rooms where mothers can express milk for baby.

—Shawn Tully

… the infants of mothers given the names of lactation support groups or individuals instead are more likely to be fully breast-feeding at four months.

—Barbara Quick

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of birthing to weaning

… cows fed 1.1 percent bicarb in the total ration produced an average 17,587 lbs. of milk per lactation …

—Eastern Milk Producer

lactational

lak-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

lactational mastitis

Examples of lactation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your lactation consultant may have strategies to help reduce the friction and pressure that can damage tissue — but if that doesn't help with your pain, reach out to your doctor. —Macaela MacKenzie, Allure, 5 Apr. 2024

It should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation as there is insufficient data regarding the safety of use during these periods of time. —Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024

Things To Consider Note that this dose is not high enough for pregnancy and lactation. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), meaning the maximum amount that can be safely taken on a daily basis for choline, is 3500 milligrams for adults, including during pregnancy and lactation. —Casey Seiden, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

And only three states regulate lactation consultants. —Jessica Silver-Greenberg, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023

But pregnancy, lactation, child-rearing and menstruation are not permanently disabling events, as researchers found among the living Agta of the Philippines who continue to hunt during these life periods. —Sarah Lacy, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023

Since then the organization has created a range of Changemaker grants for athlete moms and caregivers to cover things like childcare, family travel, and mental health and lactation aid. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 1 Feb. 2024

Prolactin prepares breast tissues for lactation and the release of milk. —Lambeth Hochwald, Parents, 7 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the secretion and yielding of milk by the mammary gland

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of parturition to weaning

lactational

-shən-ᵊl 

adjective

lactationally

-ē 

adverb