I spoke to Dr. Stephen Stone, who is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, as well as Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, who is a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, and founder of MadameOvary.com.
Before we begin, it's important to understand how breast milk, or lactation, occurs during and after pregnancy. Milk production is triggered by specific hormones — estrogen, progestin, and human placental lactogen — that initiate the onset of milk supply in the breasts.
Both Stone and Minkin confirmed that YES, both male and female babies can produce breast milk, and the medical term for this is called neonatal galactorrhea. "While developing inside the mother, the baby is exposed to many maternal hormones — including estrogen and prolactin — which stimulate the breast tissue that is present in all babies during development. Additionally, the baby's hormones are stimulated during delivery and shortly after birth, causing a 'mini puberty.' These factors combine to cause the breast tissue to enlarge, and in some cases even secrete small amounts of milk," explained Stone.
And both doctors agree there is nothing that can be done to "prevent" babies from having breast milk — and if your baby does produce it, it is nothing to be alarmed about. "Full-term babies are more likely to develop breast buds and nipple discharge, as they have been exposed to maternal hormones for longer than premature infants," said Stone.
Babies producing breast milk within the first two months of life isn't as uncommon as you would think. In fact, one study found that nearly 5% of babies have galactorrhea. However, Minkin said the amount of milk you will see coming from a baby who has it is very minimal.
An interesting thing about galactorrhea is that it is sometimes referred to as witch's milk. The term came about in the 17th century — some scholars say it was from the belief that witches would steal milk from babies and use it in their magic spells, and others suggest that it was an unnatural, satanic happening as a result of witchcraft.
As a result of this, and up until the 19th century, a lot of parents expressed the milk from their babies' nipples. Today, both doctors said, parents are strongly advised against squeezing their babies' breasts to let out milk.
So, in conclusion, YES, THIS IS FACT: Babies of either sex can produce breast milk. However, you DO NOT want to "milk" or express their breasts because they will eventually stop lactating on their own!
Let me know if there is something odd circulating around the internet that you want the facts about!
