Why There Are Bumps On Your Nipples

Those little bumps on the areola serve a purpose aside from making teens think their boobs are weird until they realize everyone has them. The areolar glands multiply during pregnancy and release secretions, so previously scientists thought they helped lubricate the skin for breastfeeding. Now they’ve found that they also contain odor molecules that help newborn babies find their mother’s milk.

A French study (which involved researchers counting areolar glands on 121 new mothers) found that women with more than nine glands per breast started lactating sooner, and their babies gained weight faster. The infants also started making more movements related to breastfeeding when they smelled the secretions. Now go forth and regale your friends with the very sexy boob facts you learned today.