Being around dairy cows during my childhood, one might assume that I would pretty much know all the ins and outs of extracting milk from cows. The most common question asked when someone learns I grew up on a dairy farm is: “Have you milked a cow??” The answer has always been and remains “no.” I have never personally milked a cow. I did not have the passion for farming that my dad and other farm kids I encountered seemed to have. However, I did love interacting with the animals.

When I became a breastfeeding mother nine years ago, I gained a much deeper appreciation for the trials and tribulations of producing and excreting milk. Before giving birth, I assumed that this was a natural process that would just happen. It was a black box for me, as I believe it is for many new mothers. I’d seen breastfeeding mothers placidly feed their babies and thought there was not much to do, or I didn’t give it much thought at all. Sure, I attended all the classes for new parents, including the one on breastfeeding, but it wasn’t very helpful when real life arrived in the form of my baby girl.

When my daughter was born, I was thrust abruptly into the world of breastfeeding. She didn’t know how to do it, and neither did I. My husband and mom had never done it either, so they weren’t much help other than suggesting, “Maybe just give her a bottle… it’s not worth the stress.” That is sound advice for any mother whose mental and emotional health is taking a toll to the extent that it’s causing problems. Fed is best. I was stubborn/persistent and stuck with it. The full account of my struggles with breastfeeding the first time around could fill an entire book, so I won’t get into it too much. We were fortunate to hire a lactation consultant and eventually got the hang of it, so the summary is that we figured it out.

Another unexpected result of breastfeeding was a strange bonding experience with my dad, of all people. I would mention in passing that I was eating more oats or drinking loads of water to increase milk production, and my dad would casually nod along and say something like, “Yeah, that’s what we do for the cows.” Then he’d throw in another strategy in all sincerity. I mean, the similarities were uncanny. All of my breastfeeding struggles, from mastitis to blocked ducts and ramping up or down production by various methods relying on principles of supply and demand, were the stuff of my dad’s life’s work. The weird thing was, in hindsight, that this was so shocking to me. Cows are mammals; I am a mammal. We both produce milk in pretty much the exact same way.

My friend had a similar revelation at our wedding, which took place on my parents’ farm. She was pumping during the reception, only to look out the window and see milk cows lining up for their next milking. Another Mind-Blow!

It took breastfeeding my own child after living on a farm most of my life to make this connection in such a direct way; I understand why the general population does not always think about the connection. Drinking cow’s milk is a normal part of everyday life in the USA. Strangely, people are freaked out by breast milk… from humans. I was timid about putting my pumped milk in the work fridge and brought a cooler instead. It’s getting better, but mothers continue to struggle to find time/space at work for pumping. It’s another topic that could be a book unto itself, but I digress.

Here’s your reminder that cows make milk for their babies, just like humans (or dogs, or cats, or deer, or mice..) make milk for our babies. The cows must become pregnant and give birth in order to produce milk. Then they “dry up” and get pregnant again, give birth again, etc… on repeat until they age out of the process. They do not retire to the field to graze the rest of their lives away in peaceful retirement because that would be financially unsustainable for any dairy farm. After their calf-bearing years end, the cows usually go to slaughter. These are facts. I’m sharing my experience with you to shorten and simplify your path to the same realization if you’re not there in case you are inclined as I am to ponder the origins of your food.

Did you know soy milk has a similar protein content and less sugar than cow’s milk?

*As always, this website and blog information is not medical advice. Please consult your medical professional if you are changing your health behaviors, including starting a new diet or exercise program.