(from Greek, galaktos: milk, via Latin, lactis: milk) The production of milk by mothers for the nourishment of their offspring. The milk secreted by human mothers (and other mammals) changes composition over time: the initial secretions (for a week) is...

Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands, the process of providing that milk to the young, and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process occurs in all female mammals, and in humans it is commonly...