Is It Safe for a Partner to Drink Breastmilk?
For couples where one partner is lactating, the idea of the other drinking breastmilk can be motivated by curiosity, intimacy, or misconceptions about health benefits. From a purely medical standpoint, the practice is generally considered safe, provided the milk comes from a trusted, disease-free partner and not from an unknown online source.
Potential Risks and How to Mitigate Them
While the practice from a trusted source has minimal risks, it is not without important considerations. Breastmilk is a bodily fluid and, like any bodily fluid, can transmit certain infections.
- Disease Transmission: Infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis can all be transmitted through breastmilk. Both partners should be aware of their health status, and if the lactating person has any infectious disease, the practice should be avoided.
- Contamination: Unlike milk from a regulated milk bank, breastmilk shared at home is unpasteurized. Poor hygiene during expression, storage, or handling can lead to bacterial contamination, causing foodborne illnesses. This is a particular risk for online breastmilk purchases.
- Mastitis and Blocked Ducts: In cases where a partner is nursing to relieve engorgement or a blocked duct, excessive or overly aggressive sucking could potentially cause minor damage to the nipple, leading to skin breaks and a higher risk of infection for the lactating partner.
- Over-Demand: If the lactating person is also nursing an infant, a partner's consumption could impact the supply available for the baby. While extra stimulation can boost supply, it's crucial to prioritize the infant's nutritional needs.
The Myth of Adult Health Benefits
Often, the interest in consuming breastmilk stems from the idea that it's a superfood with immune-boosting or disease-fighting properties for adults. The reality, however, is that these supposed benefits are largely unproven in scientific research concerning adult consumption.
- Immunity: While breastmilk is packed with antibodies and immune-boosting properties essential for an infant's underdeveloped immune system, there is no solid evidence that these components provide significant benefits to a healthy adult with a fully developed immune system.
- Bodybuilding: Some online fitness forums have promoted breastmilk as a performance-enhancing drink for muscle growth due to its nutrients. Medical professionals warn against this, noting that adult dietary needs are vastly different and breastmilk offers less protein than other common milk sources.
- Cancer-Fighting Properties: Some preliminary research on isolated breastmilk components has been conducted in labs, not on human subjects. It is a dangerous and unsupported leap to assume drinking breastmilk will treat or prevent cancer in adults.
Comparison: Adult vs. Infant Consumption
To understand why breastmilk isn't a miraculous health drink for adults, it's helpful to compare the two scenarios.
| Feature | Infant Breastmilk Consumption | Adult Breastmilk Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Optimal, complete nutrition and immune support for an infant's rapid development. | Primarily for curiosity, intimacy, or a misconception of health benefits. |
| Nutritional Value | Perfectly balanced with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins specifically for a baby's needs. | Inadequate for an adult's comprehensive nutritional needs. |
| Immune Benefits | Directly provides antibodies and immune factors crucial for a baby's weak immune system. | Unproven benefits for a healthy, fully developed adult immune system. |
| Safety | Safest when feeding directly from the biological mother, assuming no infectious diseases are present. | Safe only from a known, healthy partner; very risky from online or unvetted sources. |
| Ethical Considerations | The primary intended recipient, ensuring proper nutrition for healthy development. | Consensual act within a relationship; requires careful consideration to not compromise the baby's supply. |
Why Partners Might Be Curious
Interest in a partner drinking breastmilk can arise for several reasons, often related to intimacy and connection during a significant life change like parenthood.
- Sexual Fantasy and Arousal: For many couples, a partner’s lactating breasts can be a point of sexual interest and fantasy. Breastfeeding can be an erotic act that deepens intimacy, provided both parties are comfortable and enthusiastic.
- Inclusion and Closeness: During breastfeeding, some partners may feel excluded or that the mother's breasts are now solely for the baby. Sharing in the act can help a partner feel more included in the process and foster a deeper sense of connection with the mother and the new family unit.
- Relief from Engorgement: A partner with a stronger suck can help relieve painful breast engorgement or clear a plugged milk duct. This is a practical, functional reason for the practice.
- Taste Curiosity: Some partners are simply curious about what breastmilk tastes like. It is often described as creamy and sweet, and tasting it can be a part of a shared, intimate experience.
Things to Consider Before Your Partner Drinks Your Breastmilk
Before trying this, it's essential for both partners to communicate and consider these points:
- Open Communication: Have an open and honest conversation about the motivations, comfort levels, and boundaries. Make sure the decision is fully consensual and enthusiastic.
- Prioritize the Infant: If a baby is relying on your milk, their nutritional needs must come first. Ensure there is enough supply for the baby before sharing. This can include using a pump to express and store milk.
- Screening for Infections: If there is any doubt about either partner's infectious disease status, this practice should be avoided. If testing for communicable diseases like HIV is a concern, consult a healthcare provider.
- Avoid Unvetted Sources: Never consume breastmilk from an unknown source online, as this poses significant health risks from contamination and disease.
- Focus on Intimacy: If the motivation is intimacy, explore if there are other, equally effective ways to feel connected that don't involve sharing breastmilk, such as shared infant care or other forms of foreplay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision for a partner to drink breastmilk is a personal one for a couple. While generally safe when it comes from a healthy, known partner and is a consensual act, it is not a health tonic for adults and carries potential risks of infection and contamination if proper precautions aren't taken. Prioritizing the needs of any nursing infant and ensuring open communication and consent are key for couples exploring this aspect of their relationship. The practice, for most, is a matter of intimacy and curiosity rather than a pursuit of tangible health benefits.
A note on safety: For couples considering this, it's always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant to discuss your specific circumstances and any potential health concerns. The information here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For more information on health considerations related to breastfeeding, consult reliable sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics or your local health authority, such as the New York State Department of Health on the dangers of raw milk.
