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 eczema. 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: 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). 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. 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: You can use a baby-safe moisturizer after the bath to lock the moisture into the skin.
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 (8). 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.
