Breast milk comes from specialized cells within the breast called alveoli.
How Breast Milk is Made
Here's a detailed look at the process:
- Alveoli: These are tiny, grape-like clusters of cells located within the breast tissue. Milk production happens inside these alveoli, where specialized cells create milk from nutrients in the mother's bloodstream.
- Milk Ducts: Once the milk is made within the alveoli, it's squeezed out and flows into a network of milk ducts. These ducts act like highways, transporting milk from the alveoli through the breast.
- Nipple: Finally, the milk travels through the ducts and is then released through the nipple, ready for feeding the baby.
Here's a table summarizing the process:
| Stage | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Milk Production | Alveoli (clusters) | Specialized cells make the breast milk. |
| Transportation | Milk Ducts | Move the milk to the nipple. |
| Release | Nipple | Milk exits the breast. |
The process is entirely natural and driven by the mother's hormonal and physiological changes, triggered primarily by pregnancy and breastfeeding.
