As a nursing mother myself, I can share my personal experience and the knowledge I have gained about milk production and wet-nursing. Typically, milk production stops around 14 to 21 days after giving birth if there is no breastfeeding or stimulation of the breasts. However, the production and secretion of milk can continue for as long as the breasts are regularly stimulated.
This is where wet-nursing comes into play. Wet-nursing is the practice of breastfeeding another person’s baby. In many cultures and throughout history, wet-nursing has been a common way to ensure infants receive breast milk when their biological mothers are unable to provide it.
One of the main factors that allows wet-nursing to be possible is the hormone prolactin (PRL). Prolactin is responsible for milk production and secretion in the breasts. When a woman breastfeeds or regularly stimulates her breasts, prolactin levels increase, signaling the body to continue producing milk.
In the case of wet-nursing, if a woman continues to breastfeed or pump her breasts to stimulate milk production, she can potentially produce milk for an extended period of time. I have heard of wet-nurses who have been able to breastfeed for many years, providing nourishment and comfort to infants who need it.
It’s important to note that every woman’s body is different, and the duration of milk production can vary. Factors such as overall health, hormonal balance, and frequency of breast stimulation all play a role in how long a wet nurse can produce milk.
Milk production normally ceases around 14 to 21 days after giving birth if there is no breastfeeding or breast stimulation. However, with regular breast stimulation, such as through wet-nursing, milk production can continue for as long as the breasts are being stimulated.