suckled

Suckled is the past tense and past participle of suckle, a verb meaning to feed a young mammal with milk from the mammary glands or to cause an infant to nurse. As an adjective, suckled describes someone or something that has received milk through nursing. The noun suckling refers to a young animal that is still nursing.

In mammals, lactation supplies milk via nipples or teats. The act of suckling by the offspring stimulates nerves that trigger milk let-down, a process regulated by hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin. Suckling also reinforces social and maternal bonds in many species.

In humans, suckling most commonly refers to breast-feeding, with weaning marking the end of the suckling period. The term is also used for other young animals that nurse, including calves, lambs, and fawns. The phrase suckling pig denotes a very young pig kept for culinary preparation and typically roasted.

Duration and pattern of suckling vary widely by species and individual. Some young begin weaning early, while others nurse for months. Suckling behavior is influenced by ecology, maternal investment, and availability of alternative foods.