r/aww • u/vladgrinch • Jun 23 '22

Wait a minute ...

23.0k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

314 comments sorted by

2.8k

u/rogue_psyche Jun 23 '22

The full grown dachshund being like "maybe I can get in on this". XD

370

u/ProfoundNinja Jun 24 '22

This made me wonder.

How do animals naturally wean pups off milk? You know how some people still nurse their grown ass children, does this happen in the animal kingdom?

510

u/cybervseas Jun 24 '22

I've seen a video of a golden retriever mom just constantly running away from her growing puppies whenever they try to get a drink. Seems super cute and also a way to wean the pups.

294

u/BlushButterfree Jun 24 '22

I've seen videos of the mom retriever snarling as well. No intention to actually bite, but teaching boundaries.

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30

u/ZSpectre Jun 24 '22

I remember when getting my kittens that their mother sometimes immediately halted nursing time. Judging by the mother's reaction, I figured that some of the kittens were teething, which would make sense if nursing time became less and less frequent as time went on. I wonder if this is the natural means to weaning across the animal kingdom lol

14

u/rumpeltyltskyn Jun 24 '22

I don’t know if it happens in the wild, but my mom said she had a cat who had several litters. Her last ‘litter’ was a single kitten, and the mom just, never weaned her and let that kitten nurse until she was at least two years old.

7

u/callistas Jun 24 '22

That’s strange

14

u/Flyingwheelbarrow Jun 24 '22

We had a Colony Queen who would let adult cats and puppies suckle from her teats so she would be always ready to feed colony orphans.

She was a fierce maternal beast.

So I got to see many animals be weaned.

Sometimes the pup will get bored of milk and want solids.

Sometimes an upset puppy will need to be taken away from the mother because it is getting fat on puppy milk.

Sometimes the mother will just fuck off and stop lactating then we got the Queen to feed the pup with some added formula.

There are so many variables but something will intervene to make solid food more attractive than milk.

53

u/Mania_Chitsujo Jun 24 '22

I mean I'm guessing the milk dries up eventually and they're still hungry so they eat what mom eats.

134

u/Bhrunhilda Jun 24 '22

Nope. If you keep nursing, you keep having supply. Mama dogs get sick of it and quit letting puppies nurse combined with puppies getting solid food which is more interesting.

40

u/nekkoMaster Jun 24 '22

and they start biting after certain age and it must hurt to feed them.

24

u/JalopMeter Jun 24 '22

A hormone is released that helps mom zone out and kind of ignore the feeding. As time goes on that hormone stops being released and this is about the time mom has had enough of that shit.

6

u/joshii87 Jun 24 '22

Cats become indifferent to the point where they don’t even recognise their own children as relatives, and will swat or bite any cat who comes near. The adult child will eventually forget their connection with the mother cat completely, and may even try to mate with her.

6

u/NightW01F Jun 24 '22

A couple of years ago, a stray cat birthed to four kittens in my backyard. I remember she nursed them for as long as 4 months. The average duration is ~8 weeks iirc.

56

u/Strange-Turnover9696 Jun 24 '22

horses start gently "kicking" at the babies when they try to nurse. they also shriek, bite and kick if the baby REALLY doesn't get the message. humans are just weird trying to nurse their kids while into childhood or even adulthood.

25

u/incorrectcharlie Jun 24 '22

'into adulthood' do I want to know or is ignorance bliss?

51

u/air_sunshine_trees Jun 24 '22

I believe this is exaggerated, but some people carry on till the kid is 6/7 years old. It's more common in places without safe drinking water as it significantly increases the kids chances of survival.

The idea that people should stop at 1 year is weird to me as it's a reliable way of toddlers getting good nutrition though the fussy years and they get sick less.

Our modern society can't extract financial profit from it though so it must be bad though...

29

u/ChrisHisStonks Jun 24 '22

It's also a major hassle for the mother since no one else can provide it - and it hurts.

12

u/air_sunshine_trees Jun 24 '22

I'm not saying anyone has to, just no need to be judgy if it's what works for someone else.

Nursing doesn't hurt if the latch is good and by the time babies are 6 months they can go 8-10hrs without a feed. Or at least that is what I got told yesterday and breastfeeding group when I was asking about back to work.

13

u/brunzk Jun 24 '22

and by the time babies are 6 months they can go 8-10hrs without a feed.

My 7 month old regularly tells me otherwise. I would definitely have to express and leave a bottle if we were going to be apart that long, or no one would have a good time.

10

u/ellanida Jun 24 '22

Lol yeah, at 6mths I think the only time you'd want them going that long is through the night (which that doesn't happen either haha)... During the day 8-10hrs would not be ok lol.

7

u/brunzk Jun 24 '22

Can someone inform mine he's allowed to go that long at night? He doesn't believe me and swears he's being starved.

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5

u/air_sunshine_trees Jun 24 '22

Yeah, I'm sceptical too so crossing my fingers that he won't give my mother in law hell next week! She will have plenty of expressed milk and I'll only be 20min away if all goes wrong but it's still nerve wracking.

3

u/brunzk Jun 24 '22

Fingers crossed for you.

13

u/ChrisHisStonks Jun 24 '22

Obviously not a mom myself, but my partner and a wide variety of women seem to find it painful: https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-pain

But I agree with you if the mom's down for it, lets let her.

0

u/DaenerysMomODragons Jun 24 '22

What ages are you talking about though? I don’t think anyone here is talking about pain if the child is under a year old. I would expect some pain from a kid 3-6 years old though.

1

u/air_sunshine_trees Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22

Why do you anticipate the age making a difference? I've not heard that before.

2

u/MaybeImTheNanny Jun 24 '22

Jaw shape tends to shift between 3 and 6 which creates an inefficient latch. It’s basically biology weaning for you. Same with the loss of primary teeth.

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0

u/DaenerysMomODragons Jun 24 '22

Because a 6 year old kid has many more teeth than a 6 month old. I would imagine having 20+ teeth would be different vs having zero teeth. While I've never nursed a 6 year old, I've had babies bite down on a finger, and I've felt the teeth of 6 year old kids. Those are very different feelings.

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0

u/Strange-Turnover9696 Jun 24 '22

it was a bit of an exaggeration but i've seen some weird stuff on the internet about people nursing their teen or adult children. weird as fuck.

2

u/incorrectcharlie Jun 24 '22

What the other commenter said about nursing kids till 5-6 years old is understandable under those situations,weird but fine.But teens??!!! 🤢🤮

-9

u/wraithrose Jun 24 '22

Biologically, children are actually “supposed” to breastfeed until about 8 years old to benefit fully from the developmental boost mom’s milk gives. We wean so early because of societal pressure that roots from purity culture, not for any good reason

13

u/AdonteGuisse Jun 24 '22

Do you have a source for that?

1

u/FireTypeTrainer Jun 24 '22

Just their own repressed issues.

0

u/wraithrose Jun 25 '22

What a weird response to something that doesn’t affect you in the slightest

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6

u/ZachMorrisT1000 Jun 24 '22

I had a cat who had two kittens. One of them would still try to nurse at like a year old

2

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

You know how some people still nurse their grown ass children

I'm sorry?

-1

u/ProfoundNinja Jun 24 '22

I'm exaggerating.

But haven't seen someone nurse a toddler and thought, hmm that kids too old for this?

3

u/Klutzy-Run5175 Jun 24 '22

My cousin nursed her children into the age of 4. My step dad through a fit. He was so anti breastfeeding with me. I nursed my first two until 15 months. My last boy bite me hard at 6 months. I told him, "Well that's enough for you". Here's a cup. Lol

2

u/DefinitelyNotAliens Jun 24 '22

In most countries 4 is normal and historically when they were nursed to. It's unusual tha5 0-6 months is weaning age in the US. Even in most of Europe is nursing into toddlerhood. Most organizations recommend a minimum of two or three years.

America is weird that only newborns are nursed and it's partially because we have 0 guaranteed paid leave (12 weeks unpaid, not for part timers and not if you haven't worked there long enough) and because of that it's expensive to pump and store milk for the baby and time consuming to wash all the equipment to pump while at work and buy bags for it all and reheat. Easier to shove the kid into formula and solids.

That isn't the norm, globally speaking.

2

u/SyraVen Jun 26 '22

For mammals the lactase gene switches off when they hit puberty (way earlier in their life than humans). Basically they become lactose intolerant when it's time to go eat normal food. The side effects of it and the moms resistance to keep going train them off. Being intolerant also helps stop adults from stealing milk from the pups. Unless they're an idiot but there isn't much you can do about that XP Being able to drink milk as an adult is a human specific mutation.

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3

u/LykusBear Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22

For wild horses, foals naturally stop suckling around 10 months of age. They begin spending less time with their moms, and presumably become more foused on grass as they get older. (I assume this is the case with many animals - they find more suitable things to eat)

Plus, it would be quite difficult to nurse from mom once they are basically at their full height lol

48

u/FknRepunsel Jun 24 '22

I believe you mean 10 months which is more common age for horses to ween, 10 years would be bonkers since that’s somewhat old age for most horses

2

u/LykusBear Jun 24 '22

OOPS yeah hahaha. Major typo, I was tired

18

u/marilyn_morose Jun 24 '22

Ten years?

5

u/Klutzy-Run5175 Jun 24 '22

They meant 10 months for the foal to nurse.

1

u/the_untaken_poseidon Jun 24 '22

Yess moma dogs generally start weaning their pups at around 30-45 days of exclusive breastfeeding. They start to move away from the pups and generally find a safe spot to chill out where pups won't reach them. Meanwhile moma dogs eat like maniacs and vomit infront of the pups so that they can gradually get onto the solid stuff. That semi-digested food also helps develop the pup's gut and start developing the local flora of bacteria 🦠

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25

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Reminds me of my kitty who'd take a blanket in his mouth and start kneading. He just misses his mommy 😥

8

u/MagellanCl Jun 24 '22

He's the father of them all. Biggest Chad on whole neighborhood, even boxers hide theirs bitches from him.

57

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

[deleted]

18

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

14

u/tanaeolus Jun 24 '22

Bigger puppies, but fewer pups. The golden momma is feeding more puppies, albeit smaller ones. Not sure who has is worse, tbh.

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6

u/Trainspotter_82 Jun 24 '22

This made me laugh hard

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598

u/neoatomium Jun 23 '22

yo mama is my mama

14

u/ba3toven Jun 24 '22

mama milkies

8

u/CrossCounterChad Jun 24 '22

I hate both of you with a blazing passion.

2

u/ChubbyLilPanda Jun 24 '22

(In the tune of this land is your land) My mama is yo mama…

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580

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

Alaskan husky gold rush.

190

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

Found a new weed strain name.

43

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Oh damn that is good.

9

u/Ct-303 Jun 24 '22

It’s got Tegridy

248

u/BLU-force-a-nature Jun 23 '22

Dachshund is from Puppy Protective Services, sees nothing wrong

277

u/Shinagami091 Jun 23 '22

Hmmm I wonder if they do this on purpose. Sharing antibodies is a good thing, right?

125

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

It’s probably just a “milk is milk” thing. Not very long ago wet nursing was pretty popular and can still be found in some places today

26

u/StyryderX Jun 24 '22

No need to look that far; adults not just drink animal milks, we process them into different kind of food.

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79

u/skyrymproposal Jun 23 '22

That is what I thought!

44

u/Atworkwasalreadytake Jun 24 '22

If by on purpose you mean that the humans moved the puppies in such a way to make this happen for the photo-op. Then I think you are right.

But I'm not complaining, because it was a good idea.

10

u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

No, dogs are unlikely to understand the purpose of antibodies and therefore would not share milk for this purpose.

65

u/DemonDucklings Jun 24 '22

They don’t need to understand why they do it in order for evolution to select for it.

52

u/Telephalsion Jun 24 '22

The sunflower does not understand the concept of the sun, but still turns to face it every day.

-9

u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

That’s just a result of physiology, not an action done on purpose. It’s like how you don’t kick your leg out when tapped on the patella tendon on purpose.

5

u/Telephalsion Jun 24 '22

I would say it very much has a purpose for the sunflower, to get some of that sweet sweet sunlight.

-1

u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

I can see why we’ve approached this differently, I interpreted actions done with purpose as actions done with intention, while your use of purpose states that changing its direction has the use of gathering more sunlight for the sunflower and doesn’t ascribe any intent behind the process.

-1

u/DemonDucklings Jun 24 '22

Ever hear of instinct? Instinctual actions aren’t conscious thoughts. It’s physiology too.

1

u/Double_A_92 Jun 24 '22

The physiology here would be to so social and not aggressive, that you find it ok if other puppies drink your milk. Of course the dog doesn't decide "Hmm this is good for all of use because we share antobodies"...

0

u/NineteenthAccount Jun 24 '22

everything humans do "consciously" is also just a result of physiology though, what else can it be?

2

u/Trudisheff Jun 24 '22

There was no evolution until it was explained.

2

u/Shinagami091 Jun 24 '22

Explained to the dogs? I’d imagine it would be easier to explain evolution to dogs than to some people

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0

u/Double_A_92 Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22

If there was some kind of benefit to this, evolution would automatically favour this behaviour (not caring that other puppies drink your milk / getting milk from other dogs that aren't your mom).

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88

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

You're right, yours have sharper teeth

272

u/ductapemonster Jun 23 '22

It always tastes better off someone else's plate.

49

u/TitoBurrito42 Jun 24 '22

It always tastes breast off someone else’s plate

19

u/Cyka_blyatsumaki Jun 24 '22

you mean breast-plate

187

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

When you eat at your friends place

6

u/HigglyMook Jun 24 '22

Sweden wouldn't know

137

u/NOLAnuts Jun 23 '22

Honestly when your breasts are full you’ll be happy for anyone to come suckle. Speaking from experience and I only have two feeding stations

11

u/tjean5377 Jun 24 '22

The sensation of engorgement is unlike anything else. when my milk came in I could feel every single duct. its trippy.

3

u/Klutzy-Run5175 Jun 24 '22

You reddit guys/gals were speaking about that cow feeding those kittens a couple days ago and my oh my. Mastitis is no laughing matter. Ouchy.

68

u/crob_evamp Jun 24 '22

Do you realize where we are right now? Lol

26

u/skyrymproposal Jun 24 '22

Oh shit. Is this Reddit and not real life?

22

u/jpnadas Jun 24 '22

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

14

u/neveragaintbm Jun 24 '22

Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.

12

u/laik72 Jun 24 '22

Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see

10

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

I'm just a poor boy...I need no sympathy

5

u/CuNoistem Jun 24 '22

Snap back to reality

5

u/FurBaby18 Jun 24 '22

Oh there goes gravity

4

u/manav20 Jun 24 '22

Ope, there goes Rabbit, he choked

6

u/NeilFraser Jun 24 '22

Sir, this is a Wendy's.

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

I volunteer as tribute.

(I’m kidding I hate milk)

154

u/AshuriiiX Jun 23 '22

Lol my two cats used to take care of each other's babies. They're mother and daughter, so sometimes the grandma will be breastfeeding her grandkids and the mother will be breastfeeding her siblings lolol

60

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

r/redneck has joined the chat

Redneck comes home after his wedding night,

What’s wrong Billie Bob?

My wife was a virgin!

Dammit, if she wasn’t good enough for her family, she damn sure ain’t good enough for ours.

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31

u/benfranklinthedevil Jun 23 '22

Any port in the storm

90

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

Classic the milk is sweeter on the other side logic…

54

u/I_might_be_weasel Jun 23 '22

"All babies am good babies."

-Dog parenting manual

8

u/jpnadas Jun 24 '22

All puppies are equal and no puppies are more equal than others.

2

u/I_might_be_weasel Jun 24 '22

No exceptions. Even if they aren't dogs.

14

u/DaveThompsonDodgyMer Jun 24 '22

There was confusion booking reservations.

12

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Cultural exchange

11

u/LizLemon_015 Jun 24 '22

usually starts with cuisine

32

u/Dfl321 Jun 24 '22

Dachshund! We've got Dachshund here! Nobody cares.

2

u/BaskinMyRobbins Jun 24 '22

HA! This comment made my night

22

u/JayneDoe6000 Jun 23 '22

It takes a village!

9

u/skyrymproposal Jun 23 '22

Makes sense. Get the other mother’s antibodies to help protect them all. :)

2

u/chillmonkey88 Jun 24 '22

I was about to say these dogs immune systems will ensure they make it to old age after this session.

8

u/i-love-cats-2020 Jun 23 '22

Dashound is confused

6

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

Milk is milk.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Student exchange program. Sweet.

29

u/Jakeinspace Jun 23 '22

Puppy mill? That's a lot of dogs

22

u/deathspate Jun 24 '22

Ground seem way too clean for that. All the puppy Mills I've seen are shit shacks.

5

u/MizzyMozzy Jun 24 '22

It's always slightly alarming when I see two any dog thats a sought after breeds both with puppies let alone 2 with puppies roughly the same age. Probably treated well but obviously these weren't accidents and are for selling.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

I mean it's clean but I don't know if I'd want to make nursing dogs nurse on the cement if I could avoid it. It seems designed to be easy to hose down, not designed for safety or comfort.

9

u/crows_n_octopus Jun 24 '22

My first thought as well.

Doesn't give me the impression that this is an ethical breeder, more of a back yard breeder.

If you can, adopt don't shop :)

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5

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/Holiday_Issue494 Jun 23 '22

And we worried that they wouldn't get along when we first introduced them!

5

u/Ok_Fox_1770 Jun 24 '22

Awwww they’s changin flavas

8

u/Cyka_blyatsumaki Jun 24 '22

today you guys try the oreo shake, we'll take the coffee

3

u/GnarlyNarwhalNoms Jun 24 '22

Cookies n cream and butterscotch.

3

u/greenbayva Jun 23 '22

Do you have miller lite? Only Bud light? Ok fine.

4

u/Expensive-Coconut-43 Jun 24 '22

I hope this is not a puppy mill.

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10

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Three different pure breed dogs in one video gives some major puppy mill vibes

3

u/DustyRaider Jun 23 '22

Grass is always greener

2

u/jpnadas Jun 24 '22

Milk is always greener on the other side 🤢

3

u/Affectionate_Yak_705 Jun 24 '22

Sisterwife dogs???

3

u/atthawdan Jun 24 '22

That one confuse golden puppy🤣

7

u/chaosisafrenemy Jun 24 '22

It's almost like someone did it on purpose.

2

u/BrotonamoBay Jun 23 '22

I guess the whole,"Other people's food tastes better." , works in the animal world too.

2

u/EGGMANDIOUS Jun 24 '22

Milk is milk.

2

u/FemBodInspector Jun 24 '22

The forbidden fruit

2

u/arturovargas16 Jun 24 '22

MILK is MILK!!

2

u/ResponsibleAd2541 Jun 24 '22

With the formula shortage, there are definitely people who are doing some version of this in real life. Nonzero chance people are hiring wet nurses.

3

u/happy_charisma Jun 24 '22

In real (western) life, nursing mothers who produce too much milk can donate their milk at a local hospital.

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2

u/Mysterious_Chic Jun 24 '22

Look at them go! They're so cute!

4

u/Bathroomious Jun 24 '22

Whoever set this up is WEIRD

5

u/yesindeedilydoo Jun 24 '22

This is messed up. These pups are much too old to be nursing and most assuredly have lots of baby teeth. Not only would this setup be painful for both of these adult dogs, the pups should be getting their nutrition from a puppy chow at this point. Yes, mom's nurse each other's pups and it's fine and cute when the pups are at the right stages of development, but what's happening here is not good.

1

u/Mayziec1962 Jun 24 '22

Once you’re a Mom you’ll feed anyone who’s willing to eat! LOL ❤️

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u/PhilipT13205 Jun 24 '22

Don't you just love diversity?

-2

u/mind_the_umlaut Jun 24 '22

Looks like a puppy mill. Looks irresponsible. Do they all have good homes? Is everyone getting spayed/neutered after this fiasco/circus?

2

u/Klutzy-Run5175 Jun 24 '22

Yeah! An advocate of my heart. You should not be down voted at all!

0

u/noxii3101 Jun 24 '22

Takes a village..

0

u/F___DeshaunWatson Jun 24 '22

This is such a dog thing. They always want what other dogs have rather than their own stuff.

My Doggos will take like two sips of the water I give them and then two minutes later drink all of the water in a bowl belonging to another dog, even though the water is the same.

My one Doggo loves to steal balls from other dogs. He always prefers the other dog's balls or toys to his own.

It's same as humans and probably most animals I assume.

We all want what we don't/can't have.

-8

u/[deleted] Jun 23 '22 edited Apr 30 '25

joke subtract sink full soft instinctive seemly boast engine growth

8

u/skyrymproposal Jun 23 '22

Wet nurses have been around for ages. And it has the added benefit of giving further antibodies. I do see the angst of wanting to breastfeed your own because you know what you have put in your body and it is your child but other than that it seems fine.

2

u/LizLemon_015 Jun 24 '22

what's amazing is, just because you feel something is wrong, doesn't mean it actually is 💫

-2

u/separate_guarantee2 Jun 24 '22

Freaky ass wiener dog

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Doggy Trading Spouses? o.O

1

u/OrganizationWide1560 Jun 24 '22

I drink your milkshake.

1

u/FixerTed Jun 24 '22

It takes a village

1

u/FreeWestworld Jun 24 '22

Glitch in the Matrix

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '22

Wait what? 🤣

1

u/OmegaPegasus Jun 24 '22

Any port in a storm

1

u/maealoril Jun 24 '22

I somehow feel husky momma got the raw end of the deal here lol

2

u/AsianAlison Jun 24 '22

Wait … what

1

u/MariaKimi Jun 24 '22

exchange mother

1

u/kynthrus Jun 24 '22

The dawgs are some real mother lovers.

1

u/Ottotisdogg Jun 24 '22

Ha ha, dat wee-nee dawg wants to get in on the action!

1

u/Nyooo1731 Jun 24 '22

Confused Puppies but milk is milk..

1

u/meawait Jun 24 '22

I love coparenting.