This was a very interesting question.  I am certainly NOT an expert
in how it works with other mammals, but I wondered if natural
selection is a factor.  If a mother animal has nipples that are not
conducive to effective latching, her offspring may not survive.  If
nipple "variations" have a genetic basis, then this means that since
the young don't survive, then those genes are not passed to still
another generation.  As a result, "ineffective" nipples are bred out
of the species.  I have seen where a mother ape or chimp may "adopt"
and nurse another infant if she loses her own, but otherwise, I
haven't heard of other mammals "wet nursing" if the mother isn't
being successful at nursing her own young.

Anyone more knowledgable have any comments?  Possible or way off
track?

Winnie

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