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The enormous benefits of breast milk are not only for the baby’s health, Mother. Breast milk can also be used to maintain healthy baby skin. Come on, see how to bathe a baby with breast milk and its benefits for the skin.
Many breastfeeding mothers have an abundance of breast milk and it would be a shame if it was left to chance, Mother. In fact, babies can also get more benefits from breast milk beyond what they consume every day. One of them is used for bathing babies.
As is known, breast milk contains antibodies and nutrients to provide more nutrition to babies. Although unfamiliar to many people, breast milk baths are very beneficial for baby’s skin.
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It is known that bathing in breast milk can help make baby’s skin more moist and eliminate itching and dry skin. Apart from that, breast milk baths can also treat baby skin problems such as eczema.
How to bathe a baby with breast milk
To get the benefits, mothers can practice breast milk bathing for babies. Here are the steps you can take, Mother:
1. Fill the baby’s bathtub with warm water as usual.
2. Add 150-300 ml of breast milk. This amount should be enough to make the water cloudy or milky.
3. Let the baby soak for 5-15 minutes while the mother splashes milk on his body.
4. Take out the baby and pat it dry.
5. Massage the baby’s limbs with moisturizer to lock in the hydrating substances he has just absorbed.
Benefits of bathing babies with breast milk
Sometimes, baby’s bath water is mixed with breast milk in certain quantities. The water is then used to soak the baby in the bath and clean him as usual. Bathing in breast milk is known to offer important benefits for babies, Mother.
The various benefits of bathing in breast milk for babies cannot be underestimated, Mother. Here are some benefits that you need to know:
1. Moisturize the skin
Breast milk contains fatty acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. These fatty acids can work as a barrier on the skin and lock in moisture to prevent dryness. Babies with dry and itchy skin can get treatment through breast milk baths, as said by Melissa Kotlen, BSN, IBCLC, RLC, quoted from the page Mom Junction.
2. Protects the skin and body from pathogens
Breast milk contains several antibodies and has strong anti-infective properties. These antibodies can prevent pathogen invasion of small wounds and bruises on the baby’s body. Fatty acids in breast milk, such as oleic acid, also play a role in eliminating bacteria. Oleic acid can kill bacteria called Staphyloccoccus aureus which is generally found on the skin.
3. Reduce and repair skin damage
Linoleic acid contained in breast milk has two variants, namely omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. The acid reduces damage to baby’s skin due to sunlight.
Topical application of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can reduce the inflammatory response in skin damaged by UV rays. This means that bathing in breast milk can help treat sunburns on baby’s skin.
4. Heal small wounds
The omega fatty acids in milk can heal minor wounds and relieve pain. Fatty acids achieve this by intervening in the wound repair function of the skin.
5. Treating baby acne
Baby acne can appear around two weeks of age. This causes pimples, small bumps, or blemishes on the baby, usually on the face or chest. Some babies may even be born with acne.
Well, breast milk baths can help reduce baby acne because breast milk contains lauric acid which is antibacterial. Additionally, the soothing and moisturizing properties of breast milk can help speed up skin repair.
How often do babies need milk baths?
Milk baths are good for baby’s skin health. However, that doesn’t mean you do it every day, Mom. Just doing it once or twice a week is enough to keep your baby’s skin smooth, supple and blemish-free.
So, don’t worry that your breast milk supply will run out when you bathe, because you can replace it by using regular soap for bathing to clean your baby’s skin, as quoted from the page Healthline.
Can I use frozen or expired breast milk?
Feel free to express extra milk and freeze it before bathing. Thaw frozen breast milk before you put it in the bath so you can control the water temperature better. And, there’s no need to worry about using expired breast milk. As long as the smell is still fragrant and not overpowering, it is fine to use for bathing.
Hopefully the information helps, Mother.
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2023-12-27 07:25:03
#Bathe #Baby #Breast #Milk #Good #Benefits #Skin
