Drinking your own breastmilk can seem unappealing at first, but it actually offers some potential health benefits. As a new mother, you may be curious if it’s safe or if there are reasons to give it a try. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of drinking your own breastmilk as an adult.
Is It Safe to Drink My Own Breastmilk?
In most cases, it is safe for a woman to drink her own breastmilk. Breastmilk is designed to provide optimal nutrition for babies, but it also contains compounds that may benefit adult health as well. As long as you are healthy, there should not be any major risks associated with consuming your own milk in normal quantities.
A few precautions to keep in mind:
- Be sure to collect and store the milk safely to avoid contamination.
- Those with certain illnesses or taking certain medications should check with a doctor first.
- Limit intake to less than 30 oz per day to avoid excessive consumption of certain nutrients.
Provided these guidelines are followed, most healthy women can safely experiment with drinking their own breastmilk without concern.
What Are the Potential Benefits?
Drinking breastmilk may offer some advantages because of its unique composition of nutrients, antibodies, and probiotics.
Nutrition
Breastmilk is the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins to fuel an infant’s growth and development. It also provides hydration and calories. Although an adult’s needs are different, breastmilk can still provide:
- High-quality protein
- Vitamin A, C, D, E, K
- B vitamins
- Folate
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Healthy fats
For those looking to add extra nutrition to their diet while breastfeeding, drinking milk may be an easy way to incorporate additional nutrients.
Antibodies
Breastmilk is filled with antibodies passed from mother to baby. Drinking breastmilk gives adults exposure to the same immune-boosting antibodies. These antibodies may help protect against:
- Common bacterial and viral infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Respiratory illnesses
- Allergens
Consuming breastmilk could potentially give your immune defenses a boost and help keep you healthy.
Probiotics
Breastmilk contains beneficial strains of probiotic bacteria that contribute to an infant’s gut health and digestion. Probiotics may help balance gut flora in adults as well. Possible benefits include:
- Improved digestion and regularity
- Increased nutrient absorption
- Relief from diarrhea or constipation
- Better gastrointestinal health overall
The probiotic content of breastmilk could support the gut microbiome and aid digestive issues in some cases.
Weight Loss
Some research indicates that ingredients in breastmilk may support weight loss. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate profile provides nutrition while keeping calories relatively low. Compounds such as lauric acid found in breastmilk also have potential appetite-suppressing effects. Drinking breastmilk may support postpartum weight loss goals for some women.
Skin Benefits
Using breastmilk topically can moisturize and nourish skin. Drinking it may also improve skin hydration and elasticity from within. Many of the nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids in breastmilk promote skin cell regeneration and collagen production.
Healing Properties
Breastmilk contains compounds like antioxidants, enzymes, and immune factors that may accelerate wound healing. Consuming it internally could help speed recovery from surgery, burns, or infections.
Possible Cancer Prevention
Certain antioxidants and nucleotides found in breastmilk demonstrate anti-carcinogenic effects in studies. While more research is needed, some health experts believe drinking breastmilk could potentially help lower the risk of certain cancers later in life.
What Are the Downsides?
Despite the possible upsides, there are also some potential cons to consider when deciding whether to drink breastmilk as an adult.
Unappealing Taste
Breastmilk is tailored to appeal to a baby’s preferences, not an adult palate. Many women find their own milk to have a sweet taste. However, the high fat content can also give it aconsistency and mouthfeel that some find unpleasant or difficult to get used to.
Time and Hassle
Collecting milk for your own consumption takes time and effort. It requires pumping regularly, properly storing and labeling the milk, and continually generating a surplus supply beyond what your baby needs. Not all mothers will want to deal with this hassle.
Potential Contamination
Improperly handled milk carries a risk of bacterial contamination. Following collection and storage guidelines is crucial to prevent health issues.
Expense
You’ll need a breast pump and milk storage bags or bottles to build up any kind of stash. This requires an upfront investment that may not make sense for all budgets.
Decreased Milk for Baby
Any milk you consume will lower the supply available for your baby. Most experts recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established before taking any for yourself.
Possible Toxic Exposure
Anything present in your body could pass into breastmilk, including alcohol, cigarettes, medications, or environmental toxins. Consuming your own milk may increase your overall exposure to these substances.
Overconsumption
Drinking more than the recommended amount of breastmilk per day could lead to excess consumption of certain nutrients like vitamin A. Moderation is key.
Social Stigma
Some people may perceive drinking breastmilk as unusual or distasteful. The concept is not widely understood or accepted socially.
Dosage and Timing Recommendations
If you do decide to try drinking your own breastmilk, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Limit intake to less than 30 oz per day.
- Begin after breastfeeding is well established, around 3-4 weeks postpartum.
- Drink during letdown or immediately after pumping for best taste.
- Heat milk gently to lukewarm, not hot.
- Consume immediately or store following safety guidelines.
- Limit the duration to a few months or less.
Start slowly with a few ounces at a time to allow your body to adjust. Pay attention to how you feel and discontinue use if any side effects occur.
The Bottom Line
Here’s a quick summary of the key points:
- Breastmilk provides ideal infant nutrition but may offer health benefits for moms too.
- Potential perks include added nutrition, immunity boost, better digestion, and more.
- Downsides can include taste, cost, time, and reduced milk supply for baby.
- Up to 30 oz/day is considered safe for most healthy adults.
- Follow storage and handling guidelines carefully for safety.
- The majority of research shows potential upsides with minimal risks.
While not for everyone, drinking your breastmilk as an adult is generally considered low-risk and can be worth a try if you’re curious. As with any dietary change, proceed slowly and carefully while listening to your body’s cues. With an open mind and proper planning, breastmilk consumption may provide you with additional nourishment on your postpartum journey.