Witch's milk

Witch's milk or neonatal milk is milk secreted from the breasts of some newborn human infants of either sex.[1] Neonatal milk secretion is considered a normal physiological occurrence and no treatment or testing is necessary.[2] It is thought to be caused by a combination of the effects of maternal hormones before birth, prolactin, and growth hormone passed through breastfeeding and the postnatal pituitary and thyroid hormone surge in the infant. Breast milk production occurs in about 5% of newborns and can persist for two months though breast buds can persist into childhood. Witch's milk is more likely to be secreted by infants born at full term, and not by prematurely-born infants.[2]

The consistency of neonatal milk is estimated to be quite similar to maternal milk.[3]

Neonatal milk production may be also sometimes caused by medications.[4]

In extremely rare cases neonatal mastitis may develop but it is unclear if it is related to neonatal milk secretion.

In some cultures the tradition of removing the milk ("milking") has been reported. This practice can prolong milk production and other problems can not be excluded.[1] While breastfeeding may also contribute to prolonged milk production and breast enlargement, temporary, or permanent weaning is not recommended.

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 expressing milk from the infant's breasts is supposed to contribute to a good breast shape in adulthood.[1]

Blood from the nipples is nearly always benign and frequently associated with duct ectasia; it should only be investigated when it is unilateral.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Devidayal (2005). "A Male Infant with Gynecomastia-Galactorrhea". The Journal of Pediatrics 147 (5): 712–200. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.06.026. PMID 16291370. "full text" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 Madlon-Kay, D. J. (1986). "'Witch's milk'. Galactorrhea in the newborn". American journal of diseases of children (1960) 140 (3): 252–253. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1986.02140170078035. PMID 3946357.
  3. ↑ Yap, P. L.; Mirtle, C. L.; Harvie, A.; McClelland, D. B. (1980). "Milk protein concentrations in neonatal milk (witch's milk)". Clinical and experimental immunology 39 (3): 695–697. PMC 1538139. PMID 7379333.
  4. ↑ Paturi, B.; Ryan, R. M.; Michienzi, K. A.; Lakshminrusimha, S. (2009). "Galactorrhea with metoclopramide use in the neonatal unit". Journal of Perinatology 29 (5): 391–392. doi:10.1038/jp.2008.246. PMID 19398999.
  5. ↑ Potts, Malcolm (1999). Ever Since Adam and Eve: The Evolution of Human Sexuality. p. 145. ISBN 0521644046.
  6. ↑ Weimann, E. (2003). "Clinical management of nipple discharge in neonates and children". Journal of paediatrics and child health 39 (2): 155–156. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00118.x. PMID 12603810.
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