7 Benefits Of Breast Milk Bath For Babies And How To Do It

Many mothers may consider giving breast milk baths for babies. Breast milk is packed with antibodies and nutrients to nourish the baby. Although it is unfamiliar for many, a breast milk bath benefits the baby’s skin. This may help moisten your baby’s skin and relieve itching and dryness. A breast milk bath may also improve babies’ skin issues such as eczemaⁱXA skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin..

Read on to know the benefits of breast milk bath for babies and how to do it in the right way.

What Is A Breast Milk Bath?

Sometimes the baby’s bath water is mixed with some quantity of breast milk. The water is then used to soak the baby in a bathtub and clean them the usual way. A breast milk bath offers notable benefits for babies.

What Are The Benefits Of A Breast Milk Bath?

Not all may consider a breast milk bath, though it can be beneficial. Here are the benefits it offers:

1. Moisturizes the skin: Breast milk contains fatty acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid (1). These fatty acids can work as a barrier on the skin and lock in the moisture to prevent dryness. Babies with dry and itchy skin can get some relief through a breast milk bath.

Audrey Tan, a mother of three, tried the breast milk bath for her daughter. Narrating her experience, she says, “I actually produced enough milk to have a few excess packs to do a milk bath for Tiffany! I think it’s something you have to do for the baby constantly to see better effects, but her flaking skin did become better after the bath (i).”

2. Protects skin and body against pathogens: Breast milk contains several antibodies and has strong anti-infective properties (2). These antibodies can prevent pathogenic invasion of minor cuts and bruises on the infant’s body.

The fatty acids present in breast milk, such as oleic acid, also play a part in eliminating bacteria. Oleic acid can kill the bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (3), which is commonly present on the skin (4).

3. Reduces and repairs skin damage: The linolenic acid present in breast milk has two variants namely omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The acid mitigates the damage to the baby’s skin due to sunlight (5).

Topical application of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can bring down the inflammatory response of the skin damaged by UV light. It means a breast milk bath could help remedy any sunburns on the baby’s skin.

4. Heals small wounds: The omega fatty acids in the milk can heal minor wounds and provide relief. The fatty acids achieve it by intervening in the wound repair function of the skin.
5. Treats baby acne: Baby acne may occur around two weeks of age. It causes pimples, tiny bumps, or blemishes on a baby’s skin, usually on the face or chest. Some babies may even be born with acne (6). A breast milk bath may help soothe and reduce baby acne as the milk contains lauric acid, which is antibacterial. Additionally, breast milk’s soothing and moisturizing properties may help hasten skin repair (7).

6. Soothes diaper rash and eczema: Research has shown that breast milk can be used as a safe topical remedy for curing diaper dermatitis (diaper rash) and eczema (8) (9). Breast milk is considered a low-cost and reliable alternative to topical ointments used for the treatment of these skin conditions. Therefore, a breast milk bath can be an ideal home remedy for diaper rash and eczema.

7. Prevents pump and dump (for mothers): Nursing mothers whoexpress breast milk during breast engorgement need not dispose of the excess milk. Instead, the surplus breast milk can be used to bathe the baby. It prevents the wastage of the milk.

A breast milk bath is also safe for babies. Even a small quantity of breast milk is sufficient for bathing babies, which brings us to the next point.

What Quantity Of Breast Milk Should You Use For The Bath?

Use enough breast milk to make the bath water cloudy. You can add about 150ml to 300ml of breast milk in a baby bathtub full of water. You may add even more, but a quantity up to 300ml is sufficient. The baby might smell ‘milky’ if you use too much milk in the bath water.

How To Bath The Baby In Breast Milk?

Giving the baby a breast milk bath is the same as giving them a regular bath. Here is how you can do it:

1. Fill the tub with warm water and add freshly expressed breast milk. You can also use frozen breast milk by thawing it before adding. If it is summer, and your baby baths in cold water, then you can use the thawed breast milk to keep the water warm. You can use a thermometer to ensure the water is not too hot or too cold.

2. Let the baby sit in the bathtub. Dribble the water all over the baby’s body using your hands. Pour more water on rashes if the baby has any.

3. Let the baby soak in the water for about 10-15 minutes. After that, take the baby out of the bath and pat dry them with a fresh towel. You don’t have to rinse them with plain water.

If you are wondering how much breast milk one should use for a breast milk bath, the answer is – it varies based on the baby’s size.
Tan advises, “Take a few packs of breastmilk and mix it with hot/warm water. The consistency should look cloudy but not too diluted.” She adds, “I’ve seen other parents fill up tubs of this for older kids to soak in, but since Tiffany is tiny and unable to lie down in the tub without support, I decided to sponge her down instead.”

You can use a baby-safe moisturizer or lotion after the bath to lock the moisture into the skin and dress the baby immediately in weather-appropriate clothing.

Note: Using soap or shampoo during breast milk baths is not necessary, but if you want to use soap, opt for a fragrance-free product.

Can You Use Old Breast Milk For A Breast Milk Bath?

There is no harm in using old and expired breast milk unless it smells bad or has curdled. Refrigerated milk should be used within six days while frozen milk has a long life of six months (10). Therefore, you can use the same criteria for choosing breast milk for the baby’s bath as well.

Does A Baby Need Breast Milk Bath Every Day?

There is no need for a breast milk bath every day. You can give a weekly or fortnightly bath depending on the overall health of the baby. If the baby has severe diaper rash or eczema, then you may give them a breast milk bath twice a week. You can reduce the number of baths once the baby shows improvement.