Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Lactation

Lactation is the physiological process by which the mammary glands synthesize and secrete milk to nourish offspring. In humans it begins during pregnancy with hormone-driven mammary development under the influence of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, and is established after delivery when falling progesterone a…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 12 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 114× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2381-862X 🗓 Reviewed October 2026

Overview

Lactation is the physiological process by which the mammary glands synthesize and secrete milk to nourish offspring. In humans it begins during pregnancy with hormone-driven mammary development under the influence of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, and is established after delivery when falling progesterone and continued prolactin secretion trigger copious milk production, while oxytocin mediates the milk-ejection reflex. Milk output is sustained through the demand-driven cycle of suckling, prolactin release, and breast emptying, and human milk delivers tailored macronutrients, immunological factors, and bioactive components that support infant growth, immune development, and gut maturation. Lactation physiology, milk composition, and the determinants of successful and exclusive breastfeeding are core concerns of maternal and infant health, alongside maternal nutritional status, support interventions, and exposure of secreted milk to dietary and environmental factors. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research in this area, including the safety of seafood and omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy and lactation, home-based programs to promote perceived adequate milk, maternal assets and breast-milk expression, awareness of breast-milk composition, beliefs surrounding exclusive breastfeeding among low-income women, and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of lactating mothers regarding infant feeding. This work reflects the biological, nutritional, and behavioral dimensions of lactation and its central role in perinatal and child health.

Research published in this journal

12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 12 articles above have been cited 114 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Lactation, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Women's Reproductive Health (ISSN 2381-862X).

Journal editorial board
Qiuqin Tang · China Akmal El-Mazny · Egypt Anup Pradhan · India

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.