How To Do A DIY Milk Bath (2024)

  • baby

3m read Mar 2021

Breastmilk has some pretty amazing qualities, and not just for ensuring your baby’s growth. Did you know that you can actually add your breastmilk to your baby’s next bath to create a healing, calming experience for your little one?

Breastmilk has some pretty amazing qualities, and not just for ensuring your baby’s growth. Did you know that you can actually add your breastmilk to your baby’s next bath to create a healing, calming experience for your little one?

Milk baths have long been touted as an all-natural way to heal common ailments for little ones, from baby acne, to eczema, to dry skin, to diaper rash! Breastmilk contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and is great for your baby’s sensitive skin. Don’t be alarmed - you won’t need to pump hundreds of ounces of milk to fill a tub. Just add a few ounces to your baby’s next bath, and you’ll be all set to give your baby a great milk bath experience!

Why is breastmilk good for your baby’s skin?

Breastmilk can be used to treat anything from diaper rash, to cradle cap, to minor cuts and scrapes, to eye infections, and more!

Giving your baby a milk bath every once in a while can have amazing healing effects on any minor skin ailments he’s dealing with. It’s not difficult to set up your own DIY milk bath at home. All you need is a tub, some pumped breastmilk (it can be fresh or thawed from frozen), and water!

How to do a DIY milk bath at home:

  1. Fill the bathtub with warm water (a small baby bathtub works well).

  2. Add the breastmilk to the water. You only need enough to make the water appear “cloudy” (usually 5-10 ounces will do).

  3. Place your baby in the tub, and let him soak for at least 15-20 minutes.

  4. Make sure the milky water reaches all areas of the body, especially areas of irritation.

  5. Gently pour the milky water all over your baby using a small cup or a soft washcloth, like the KeaBabies Baby Wash Cloths.

  6. At this point - you can use a gentle soap and rinse your baby, or you can simply take your baby out of the bath and pat him dry. You don’t need to rinse off the milk - the longer it stays on, the better!

  7. If you use lotion, give your baby a soothing massage using a dye-free, fragrance free lotion to lock in all the benefits of the breastmilk.

A milk bath is also a fantastic time to snap some adorable photos of your baby! Depending on your style and your baby’s personality, you can add props or food to the bath to create some cute photo keepsakes! Some parents like adding cereal, faux flowers, rubber ducks, or sliced fruit to the bath for a pop of color.

Breastmilk isn’t just great for baths, it’s useful for a number of things! You can actually make your own baby lotion using breastmilk too. This simple recipe from Medela is simple and only requires a few ingredients you can order online or at health food stores.

You’ll need:

  • 1 tbsp beeswax

  • 3 oz grapeseed oil

  • A few drops of vitamin E oil

  • 3 oz breastmilk

  • Optional: a child-safe essential oil for scent

Microwave the beeswax and grapeseed oil in a microwave-safe bowl on low heat, until the beeswax has melted. Next, add in a few drops of vitamin E oil. Carefully pour the breastmilk into the beeswax mixture, and whisk everything together. Let the mixture cool and thicken. Store the lotion in a cool, dry environment (the refrigerator works fine too). You should test the lotion on a small patch of your baby’s skin to make sure she has no adverse reactions to the ingredients. Once you know her skin can handle it, use the lotion as often as you’d like!

How To Do A DIY Milk Bath (4)

Within a few days, you should be able to notice an improvement in your baby’s skin. If any irritation persists, be sure to contact your child’s pediatrician for an assessment and treatment plan.

Do remember to follow us on Instagram @keababies and join our loving and supportive KeaCommunity Facebook Group!

Parenting is awesome. Sleep is overrated. Every day is an adventure.

How To Do A DIY Milk Bath (5)

Meet Our KeaMommy Contributor: Kaitlyn Torrez

I’m Kaitlyn Torrez, from the San Francisco Bay Area. I live with my husband and two children, Roman and Logan. I’m a former preschool teacher, currently enjoying being a stay at home mom. I love all things writing, coffee, and chocolate. In my free time, I enjoy reading, blogging, and working out.

How To Do A DIY Milk Bath (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a milk bath? ›

To make a milk bath, you can add 1 to 2 cups of milk to a full tub of warm water. You can also add in essential oils, bath salts, honey, or baking soda for additional benefits. Fill bathtub with warm water and add in milk and optional ingredients. Mix water and milk with your arm or foot to combine.

What kind of milk is used for a milk bath? ›

To make a milk bath, dilute these milks into your warm bathwater: Cow's milk is used most often in milk baths, because it's common, inexpensive, and nearly everyone has it on hand. Full-fat or whole milk will give you the best feel on your skin. Goat's milk is another common milk bath addition.

Can I put regular milk in my bath? ›

Milk baths are great for adults and kids alike. If you're looking to make your own milk bath, all you need is milk and a few other simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need: Milk (whole milk is best but you can also use skim milk) – 1-2 cups depending on tub size.

Do you rinse off after a milk bath? ›

No need to rinse off after. Just hop out of the tub and seal in all that moisture with a bottle of natural lotion for a guaranteed soft, silky smooth glow. If you have sensitive skin and have previously found essential oils to irritate or dry out your skin, try our Unscented Milk Bath.

How long should a milk bath be? ›

Let your baby soak in the tub for anywhere from 5 to about 15 minutes while you splash around and gently rub the milky water on those precious little limbs! Pat dry using a soft towel, massaging their skin gently until it all absorbs.

How do you make a bath look like milk? ›

Usually I fill the tub to the desired height with water and add in two gallons of whole milk. I sometimes also add some powdered milk to enhance the effect—this could be redundant, but I love opaque, creamy effect that it gives. Using less milk will still create a dreamy mood without obscuring as much of your subject.

Do you use soap in a milk bath? ›

Gently pour the milky water all over your baby using a small cup or a soft washcloth, like the KeaBabies Baby Wash Cloths. At this point - you can use a gentle soap and rinse your baby, or you can simply take your baby out of the bath and pat him dry.

How many gallons of milk do I need for a milk bath? ›

How much milk should be added? Your bathtub will be the determining factor in how much milk you should purchase. Your best bet is to buy 2 gallons of milk for a standard-sized tub, and you will use water to help fill the bath.

What does a milk bath symbolize? ›

In folklore. According to scholars, milk baths were used "as a recipe for beauty", as well as for healing, rejuvenation and disenchantment.

How to do a milk bath for adults? ›

Pouring Milk Bath Perfection

When drawing a milk bath, make it a relaxing and lux experience. Light a few candles, stream your most-soothing relaxed tunes, and fill your tub with warm water. Then, add one to two cups of your milk of choice—oat, soy, and rice milk are particularly nourishing.

Can you use leftover milk for milk bath? ›

Fill the tub with warm water and then add your breast milk.

You should add just enough to make the water a little cloudy. If you have more milk left over from expressing you can, of course, add a little more but be careful, your baby might smell a little milky if you use too much — so keep an eye (or nose) on that.

What milk is best for skin? ›

Coconut Milk is a great option for those who suffer from acne. It is anti-inflammatory, contains healthy fats, is gut friendly and has magnesium and potassium. Almond Milk, if unsweetened, is also a good alternative because it contains antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and made up of healthy fats.

What milk is best for a milk bath? ›

What type of milk is best for a bath? The world is your oyster: You can use whole milk, coconut milk, buttermilk, goat milk, or rice or soy milk in a milk bath, Dr. Henry says. Cow's milk is the most commonly-used because it's inexpensive, and full-fat or whole milk will feel the most nourishing to your skin.

Can I use old breastmilk for a milk bath? ›

Feel free to pump extra milk and freeze it in advance of these baths. Defrost it before you add it to the bath so that you can better control the water temperature. And don't be nervous about using expired milk. As long as it still smells good, it's fine to use for bathing.

Is milk bath good for your hair? ›

Smooth hair

Though, you must rinse your hair with regular water after soaking them. Proteins present in milk promote hair growth and make them softer and easy to untangle.

What is a milk bath session? ›

Milk bath photography is a type of portrait photography that places subjects in a tub full of milky water, often with floating props like flowers, fruit, or greenery. Photographers use this style most often for maternity, newborn, and artistic photoshoots.

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