Breastfeeding is often described as a natural exchange between a mother’s body and her baby’s needs. Most people instantly think of the breasts, prolactin, and oxytocin. Yet across cultures, two unexpected elements have long been part of the lactation story, the lungs inside the mother’s body and the lungs she may consume as food.
Tradition has always linked the chest, breath, and milk flow. Modern biology is now revealing surprising reasons this insight wasn’t entirely misplaced. Together, they create a fascinating picture of how breath, nourishment, and cultural practices quietly support new mothers.
Traditional Wisdom (When Breath, Energy, and Food Support Milk Flow)
In many South Asian, Middle Eastern, and East Asian healing systems, the lungs are viewed as vital guardians of the chest. They regulate breath, emotional calm, and the flow of energy that supports breastfeeding. Practices such as deep breathing, warm chest compresses, and sitting outdoors for fresh air were more than rituals, they helped mothers relax and breathe easily, which communities noticed often improved milk flow.
Food traditions reflected similar logic. The long-standing belief of “like supports like” suggested that eating an animal’s organ nourishes the same organ in the human body. So postpartum meals often included goat or sheep lungs, offered to “strengthen the chest,” restore energy, and help new mothers breathe more freely during recovery.
These cultural practices created a holistic environment: calm breath, warm foods, emotional grounding, and family support, all of which naturally encourage better nursing.
Modern Science Connects the Dots (How the Lungs Influence Breastfeeding)
While the lungs do not make milk, today’s research shows that they play meaningful roles in lactation through breath, hormonal pathways, and immune communication.
1. Breath shapes oxytocin levels
Slow, deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s relaxation mode responsible for releasing oxytocin, the hormone that triggers the milk let-down reflex.
According to research published in lactation physiology journals, deep breathing directly helps support this oxytocin-driven milk ejection response. When breathing becomes shallow due to stress or fatigue, the let-down can slow, making intentional breathing before or during feeding a simple but effective tool.
2. Lung driven relaxation reduces cortisol
Stress elevates cortisol, a hormone known to interfere with prolactin and milk ejection. By improving oxygenation and promoting calm, healthy breathing helps bring the body back into balance, supporting smoother milk flow. This biological mechanism mirrors what traditional healers observed: when the chest is relaxed and “open,” milk flows more freely.
3. Immune communication between lungs and mammary glands
Emerging immunology studies show that immune cells primed in the lungs, especially after exposure to viruses or vaccines, can migrate to the mammary glands. This process enhances the antibody content of breast milk, giving babies targeted protection from respiratory and environmental pathogens. It’s a remarkable example of how the lungs indirectly shape the quality of breast milk itself.
Together, these findings bring scientific depth to centuries of traditional practice.
Where Eating Animal Lungs Fits In: Cultural Practice Meets Nutritional Science
Modern science is clear: eating animal lungs does not directly increase milk production, because lungs do not influence lactation hormones.
However, animal lungs do offer valuable nutrients for new mothers.
According to nutritional science data, organ meats, including animal lungs, provide iron, vitamin B12, high-quality protein, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients support postpartum recovery, energy levels, and immune strength, all of which create a healthier foundation for maintaining milk supply.
This helps explain why mothers often reported better recovery and steadier nursing after eating traditional lung-based dishes. The tradition wasn’t magical; it was nutritionally practical.
Practical Ways Mothers Can Support Lung Linked Lactation Today
• Deep breathing before and during feeds
• Skin to skin contact to synchronize breathing with the baby
• Gentle postnatal stretching or yoga
• Fresh outdoor air
• Avoiding pollutants and smoke
• Eating nutrient-dense meals, including organ meats when culturally appropriate and safely prepared
These habits support the systems that influence milk flow, not just the breasts.
Conclusion
The connection between lungs and milk production has roots in both cultural intuition and scientific discovery. Traditional practices highlighted the importance of breath, calmness, and nourishing foods. Modern research now confirms that breathing patterns, stress regulation, and immune activity within the lungs genuinely shape a mother’s breastfeeding experience.
Eating animal lungs doesn’t directly increase milk supply, but the nutrients they provide strengthen postpartum health. Meanwhile, the lungs inside the mother’s body quietly influence hormones, stress balance, and immune protection in breast milk.
Together, these perspectives show that breastfeeding is not just a breast centered process, it’s a whole body, whole breath experience where tradition and biology naturally meet.
FAQs
1. Does eating animal lungs actually increase milk production?
There is no strong clinical evidence proving that animal lungs directly increase milk supply. Many cultures believe they help because organ meats are nutrient-dense, but modern research does not confirm a specific lactation-boosting effect.
2. Why do some traditions recommend lungs for breastfeeding mothers?
In several cultures, animal lungs are considered “light,” protein rich, and strengthening. These traditional beliefs associate nutrient rich organs with improved postpartum recovery and, indirectly, better milk production.
3. Are lungs safe to eat during breastfeeding?
They are safe when thoroughly cooked and sourced hygienically. As with all organ meats, moderation is advised because they can be high in cholesterol and may contain contaminants if the animal was not healthy.
4. What actually improves milk production according to science?
Frequent breastfeeding, proper hydration, adequate calories, rest, and hormonal balance, particularly optimal prolactin and oxytocin levels, are the primary scientifically supported factors.
5. Are lungs more nutritious than other meats?
Lungs contain protein, iron, B-vitamins, and minerals, but do not offer unique lactation, specific nutrients compared with more commonly eaten meats.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Dietary choices during breastfeeding should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have allergies, chronic illnesses, or concerns about organ meat safety.
Call to Action
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References
1. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, frequent feeding and adequate calorie intake as key drivers of milk production.
2. Nutrients, prolactin and oxytocin as primary hormones regulating lactation.
3. World Health Organization, culturally preferred postpartum foods supporting recovery when rich in protein, iron, and calories.
4. USDA Nutrient Database, organ meats, including lungs, provide protein and micronutrients but have no proven lactation-specific component.
