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

Talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant as soon as possible to have the baby examined and your breastfeeding technique checked. —Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 16 July 2024

The state Health Access and Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program, which is a home visitation program for new and expectant parents, will provide information about breastfeeding and lactation consultants as well as the importance of safe sleep for babies. —Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 12 July 2024

The family-friendly summit will connect area residents to free health and wellness resources, including health screenings including physicals, blood-sugar testing, dementia and liver screenings, as well as lactation specialist, services, nutritionist, and fitness with yoga instruction. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024

Whether dishing hard truths about dilation, lactation, breast pumps, amniocentesis, the exertions of labor and birth, or the melancholy that takes root even in mothers who adore their kids, Babes finds the sweet spot where slapstick meets body horror. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 23 May 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