On the subject of breastfeeding...

[conuly]

Why is it called "breastmilk"? We don't say that cats have "teatmilk" and cows have "uddermilk", do we? Why not call it human milk, since that's what it is, or just milk?

Edit: I don't like "baby formula" either. Sounds like you've got some baby in a can, and that's just not right. Ick.

Comments

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

Because the word 'milk' has been almost exclusively reserved for cow's milk, and that's what most people expect it to mean. Therefore, goat's milk or any other kind of milk has to come with a qualifier.

And since you ask, cow's milk is the standard and has been since *forever* (well, nearly so) because they're the most efficient and productive suppliers. There really isn't another domesticated animal that is as easy to get such quantities of milk from.

[conuly]

Um, I didn't ask, but thanks :)

Still, why not "human" milk? It IS human milk!

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

I know you didn't ask, but I was sure you'd appreciate it in the long run, so I anticipated. I was being all motherly that way.

And since you asked--my theory is that men just want whatever excuse possible to say 'breast.' :-)