Fact or Fiction: Does drinking your own breast milk help when sick?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Research confirms that the immune-boosting benefits of breast milk are specifically tailored for infants, whose digestive systems differ greatly from adults'. This makes the popular wellness trend of drinking breast milk to combat illness largely a myth. So, does drinking your own breast milk help when sick? Let's explore the science.

Quick Summary

Investigating the belief that adult consumption of breast milk boosts immunity during sickness. Explore how the nutritional and immune components function differently in adult digestive systems compared to infants', offering no proven benefit.

Key Points

Infant-Specific Formulation: Breast milk's immune-boosting components are specifically designed for an infant's underdeveloped gut and immune system, not an adult's.
Ineffective for Adult Digestion: The acidity of an adult's stomach destroys most of the beneficial antibodies and immune cells found in breast milk.
Self-Antibody Redundancy: A lactating mother already has the antibodies she produces in her own system, so drinking her milk provides no additional immune benefit.
Risks of Contamination: Improper handling and storage of breast milk can lead to bacterial contamination and foodborne illness, even when consuming your own milk.
Better Immune Strategies for Adults: Proven methods for boosting adult immunity include a balanced diet, adequate hydration, rest, and exercise.
Unsubstantiated Anecdotal Claims: Reports of adults benefiting from breast milk for illness are not supported by clinical research and may be the result of a placebo effect.
Focus on Evidence-Based Care: For health issues, consult a doctor and follow medically supported advice rather than experimental wellness trends.

The Science Behind Infant Immunity in Breast Milk

To understand why breast milk doesn't provide the same benefits to adults, it's essential to first understand how it works for infants. Breast milk is a dynamic, complex fluid filled with bioactive components perfectly suited to protect an infant's underdeveloped immune system.

Some of the key components include:

Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA): The most abundant antibody in breast milk, sIgA works locally on the mucosal surfaces of an infant's respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It binds to pathogens, preventing them from entering the body and causing infection.
Lactoferrin: This protein has strong antimicrobial properties. It works by binding to iron, which many bacteria need to thrive, effectively starving harmful pathogens.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): These complex sugars act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in the infant's gut. They also function as 'decoys,' attaching to pathogens and preventing them from binding to the infant's gut lining.
Leukocytes: Breast milk contains living white blood cells, such as macrophages, which directly kill pathogens and help regulate the infant's immune response.

These components are highly effective for newborns, whose own immune systems are still maturing. However, the mechanism and context are entirely different for a fully developed adult.

Why Infant Benefits Don't Translate to Adults

The idea that breast milk can magically boost an adult's immune system when sick is based on a misunderstanding of how these immune factors work. The adult body, with its mature and robust immune and digestive systems, processes breast milk very differently.

The Redundancy of Consuming Your Own Antibodies

If you are a lactating mother, your body is already producing the antibodies needed to fight off any illness you have. These antibodies are present throughout your body, not just concentrated in your milk. Drinking your own breast milk would simply be re-introducing antibodies and immune cells that are already actively fighting the infection within your system. Taking a shot of your own milk offers no additional therapeutic or protective benefit.

Adult Digestion Destroys Key Components

An infant's digestive system is designed to absorb the specific immune factors in breast milk. In contrast, an adult's stomach has much higher acidity, which is designed to break down a wide range of proteins and bacteria. This means that many of the delicate, bioactive compounds like antibodies and immune cells are destroyed before they can be absorbed in a meaningful way. While some nutrients may be absorbed, they offer no special advantage over a standard balanced diet.

Risks Associated with Adult Breast Milk Consumption

Beyond the lack of proven benefits, there are several potential risks for adults who consume breast milk, particularly if it's not their own. Even when consuming one's own milk, if it's not handled and stored correctly, it can lead to contamination and illness.

Bacterial Contamination: Improper sanitization of pumping equipment, storage containers, or milk handling can introduce harmful bacteria. Studies on informally sourced breast milk have found high levels of bacterial contamination, including dangerous gram-negative bacteria that can cause respiratory and digestive problems.
Transmission of Infectious Diseases: For those considering consuming milk from another person, the risks are far greater. Breast milk can transmit serious infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Without proper screening and pasteurization, the risk of transmission is significant.
Nutritional Inadequacy: Breast milk has a lower protein content than other milks, like cow's milk. Relying on it for perceived nutritional or muscle-building benefits is misguided and could lead to nutritional deficiencies if it replaces a balanced diet.

Real Ways Adults Can Boost Their Immunity

Instead of relying on unsubstantiated wellness fads, adults can support their immune systems with proven strategies. These methods are not only effective but also free from the risks associated with unpasteurized bodily fluids.

Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins C and D, which are crucial for immune function.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential when sick, as it helps prevent dehydration and keeps your body functioning optimally.
Get Enough Sleep: Rest is vital for allowing your body to repair and regenerate. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system.
Exercise Regularly: Moderate, consistent exercise can help boost your overall immune response over time.

Comparison: Breast Milk for Infants vs. Adults


Feature	Infant	Adult
Immune Benefit	High; tailored to a developing, naïve immune system.	Negligible; adult immune system is already mature.
Antibodies	Specific antibodies (sIgA) protect mucosal surfaces from pathogens encountered by the mother.	Redundant; adult's antibodies are already present throughout their body.
Digestion	Gut absorbs immune factors due to lower stomach acidity and permeable gut lining.	High stomach acidity destroys immune factors before absorption.
Hormones & Growth Factors	Essential for proper gut, neurological, and endocrine development.	Limited or No Effect; adult body already has established regulatory systems.
Contamination Risk	Low, if handled correctly and from the infant's own mother.	High from unregulated sources, or if handled improperly.

Conclusion

While breast milk is undeniably a "superfood" for infants, providing them with critical nutrients and immune support, the science is clear: the benefits do not extend to adults in any meaningful way. The adult body's mature digestive and immune systems render the specific bioactive components ineffective. For any adult seeking to boost their immunity when sick, the proven path lies in proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and sufficient rest. Relying on unfounded wellness trends like consuming breast milk can expose you to unnecessary risks without offering any real therapeutic advantage. If you are a lactating mother with a surplus of milk, consider donating it to a regulated milk bank, where it can safely benefit newborns in need, rather than consuming it for unproven reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

While drinking your own breast milk isn't inherently harmful, improper handling or storage can lead to bacterial contamination. If the milk is not expressed or stored in a sterile manner, consuming it can potentially cause a foodborne illness.

No, there are no clinical trials or robust scientific studies confirming that drinking breast milk provides immune-boosting benefits for healthy adults. Any claims suggesting otherwise are anecdotal and lack scientific evidence.

Adults have mature immune systems that are already producing antibodies to fight infections. The specific immune factors in breast milk, like sIgA, are largely destroyed by the high acidity of the adult stomach and are not absorbed effectively.

The primary purpose is to provide passive immunity to infants, whose immune systems are not fully developed. The immune factors protect the infant from pathogens that the mother has been exposed to, offering vital protection during a vulnerable developmental stage.

Even with a known donor, consuming unpasteurized breast milk carries the risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and CMV. These diseases can be passed through bodily fluids and may not be apparent without proper screening and testing.

For effective immune support when sick, focus on established wellness practices such as getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated with fluids like water, and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. If symptoms are severe, consult a doctor for appropriate medical advice.

Yes. Instead of consuming it, you can donate surplus breast milk to a regulated milk bank. These banks screen and pasteurize donated milk to provide it safely to vulnerable newborns in need, such as those in neonatal intensive care units.