# Adopting a newborn: is lactation induced? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820 "2009-08-26T21:21:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/21 "2009-08-28T01:59:43Z")
> [@StaudtCJ](#): > > Why in the world would strangers think it’s okay to say ANYTHING about what or how a person feeds a child? “You shouldn’t feed that kid bread” would be just as offensive. Some people need lessons in manners. That would include the aforementioned La Leche League, who made my wife horribly upset because she wasn’t able to breastfeed our prematurely born twins to the level they considered optimal. Bunch of intolerant breast-obsessed jerks, frankly. And I know this is General Questions - this is my answer. If some people consider this controversial the thread can always be moved. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/22 "2009-08-28T02:26:50Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Technically, some men can lactate under similar situations too but it is much more rare. Indeed, but as you said, it’s extremely rare. Hijacking this thread further, I’ll note that even in men with tumors that secrete the milk-producing hormone ([prolactin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin)), galactorrhea is still decidely uncommon. Presumably, high levels of prolactin, whether induced by breast stimulation or due to its production/secretion by a tumor (a so-called [“prolactinoma”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactinoma)), are necessary but not sufficient for galactorrhea. The other factor that’s required is that the breast has to have been “estrogenized”, i.e. has been exposed to high-ish levels of the female hormone. Such a prior exposure prepares the milk-producing machinery of the breast so that it can respond to stimulation by prolactin. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/23 "2009-08-28T14:04:35Z")
> [@StaudtCJ](#): > > Why in the world would strangers think it’s okay to say ANYTHING about what or how a person feeds a child? “You shouldn’t feed that kid bread” would be just as offensive. Some people need lessons in manners. **Hal Briston’s** [awesome response](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7879912&postcount=50) to such a person. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/24 "2009-08-28T21:29:35Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > **Hal Briston’s** [awesome response](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7879912&postcount=50) to such a person. Totally awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/25 "2009-08-28T21:52:28Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Just like Audrey II! > …(C-Sections, same shit.) > > –Cliffy :::snerk::: I hadn’t made that connection but you’re right. Fortunately in my case, finger-feeding [del]Audrey II[/del] **Moon Unit** did NOT involve blood (a fair bit of sweat and tears though). Of course, that same child was born via C-section so I guess she (and I) are going straight to Parenting Hell 😛 ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820/26 "2009-08-28T22:09:03Z")
Truly Awesome response. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adopting-a-newborn-is-lactation-induced/507820.md?page=1)