"Witch's Milk"

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

I just learned this......Both

My teacher gave us another name for it but I can't remember it. Anyone know? Some find this term somewhat offensive.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 18, 2005

I just learned this......Both
My teacher gave us another name for it but I can't remember it. Anyone know? Some find this term somewhat offensive.

Pseudomenses? (Pseudo=false)

I too have heard it is both, although it is uncommon in males :)

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Can occur in either male or female infants. The infant is exposed to high levels of female hormones while in utero which are suddenly withdrawn at delivery. That sudden withdrawal of hormones is what causes a mother's milk to come in and it works the same way with the baby.

Isn't pseudomensis the pinkish lady partsl discharge some female infants develop after birth?

CEG · Jul 18, 2005

How does it happen in male babies if they don't have the "hardware" they need to produce milk? Same question about the pseudomenses? (Getting ready to have a baby boy of my own :)

Courtney

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

How does it happen in male babies if they don't have the "hardware" they need to produce milk? Same question about the pseudomenses? (Getting ready to have a baby boy of my own :)
Courtney

If you have the nipples then you have the hardware. Its the hormones that make it work. pseudomenses is a condition in newborn girls.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 18, 2005

i just learned this......both
my teacher gave us another name for it but i can't remember it. anyone know? some find this term somewhat offensive.

witches milk=infantile galactorrhea

witches milk is also used to describe pseudomenses in females as well as the milky substance which is found in newborn males and females.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Thanks, all :) Will be lecturing on this next week and somebody is sure to ask...

prmenrs, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Witch's Milk (breast enlargement) can occur in both male and female infants, pseudomenstration can only occur in females. An analogous condition is enlargement of testes. ALL are a response in the infant from the mothers hormones or the withdrawal from hormones (the later is pseudomenstration).

Pseudomenstration is over in ~ a week. Breast enlargement should be monitored as it can proceed to an abscess and would need to Rx'd w/abx. Testicular enlargement often takes months to abate.

Educate mom and dad about all the conditions--pseudomenstration is the one that startles them the most, so mention it in d/c teaching for all baby girls. It can be just a really thick white discharge, very hard to clean off (don't try), or there can be a small amount of blood.

RNforLongTime · Jul 31, 2005

My son developed witches milk! I was freaking out! No Dr had ever mentioned this to me or any nurses for that matter. Fortunately my mother explained this to me and after a week it went away!