Pippa Corbett answered
Girls generally don't start lactating until they get pregnant. (A girl is capable of getting pregnant once she's reached sexual maturity, usually during her early teens.)
When can girls lactate?
A girl will start producing milk once pregnancy hormones kick in.
Because humans are mammals (the word 'mammals' is named after the mammary gland found in the breast), all girls are capable of lactating, unless they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so.
Very rarely, a girl might begin lactating even when she's not pregnant. This is not considered normal - and can be the sign of an underlying health issue.
What makes girls lactate?
Women's breasts contain structures called lobules, which are responsible for lactation. They connect to the nipple tissue, and are capable of producing the milk proteins and fat present in breast milk.
Hormonal signals during the latter stages of pregnancy are responsible for activating the lobules.
Certain health conditions can also trigger spontaneous lactating, and in extreme cases, a tumor might be the root cause.
If you're suffering from spontaneous lactation, I'd recommend visiting a doctor as soon as possible!
When can girls lactate?
A girl will start producing milk once pregnancy hormones kick in.
Because humans are mammals (the word 'mammals' is named after the mammary gland found in the breast), all girls are capable of lactating, unless they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so.
Very rarely, a girl might begin lactating even when she's not pregnant. This is not considered normal - and can be the sign of an underlying health issue.
What makes girls lactate?
Women's breasts contain structures called lobules, which are responsible for lactation. They connect to the nipple tissue, and are capable of producing the milk proteins and fat present in breast milk.
Hormonal signals during the latter stages of pregnancy are responsible for activating the lobules.
Certain health conditions can also trigger spontaneous lactating, and in extreme cases, a tumor might be the root cause.
If you're suffering from spontaneous lactation, I'd recommend visiting a doctor as soon as possible!
