Is it healthy to drink my own breastmilk? The Safety and Science

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

An analysis of breast milk samples from online sales found that 93% contained detectable levels of bacteria, highlighting the risks of consuming milk from an unregulated source. However, when it comes to a mother consuming her own breastmilk, the risks are fundamentally different, and the perceived health benefits for adults warrant close scrutiny.

Quick Summary

While consuming your own breastmilk is generally considered safe for the producing mother, it offers negligible health benefits for a healthy adult. The nutritional composition is uniquely suited for infants, and an adult's digestive system breaks down its special immune components. Risks increase significantly when consuming another person's milk.

Key Points

Generally safe for the mother: Drinking your own breastmilk is considered safe for the lactating mother as it does not expose her to external pathogens.
Minimal adult health benefits: While breastmilk is highly nutritious for infants, a healthy adult's digestive system breaks down many of its unique bioactive components, providing negligible benefits.
Myths and placebo effect: Claims of significant immune-boosting or disease-fighting properties for adults lack scientific evidence and are often attributed to the placebo effect.
Risks of donor milk: Consuming another person's breastmilk carries significant risks of transmitting infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, and syphilis, and is not recommended.
Contamination concerns: Improper storage and handling of expressed milk, even one's own, can introduce bacterial contamination.
No substitute for a balanced diet: For adult nutrition, a balanced diet is far more effective and superior to breastmilk, which contains less protein than other common milk sources.

Is It Safe to Drink Your Own Breastmilk?

For a lactating woman, consuming her own breastmilk is generally considered safe, primarily because she is not exposing herself to any pathogens she doesn't already have in her system. The primary safety concerns surrounding adult consumption of breastmilk revolve around contamination, which is a major issue with unregulated milk sharing and sales. When drinking your own milk, these external contamination risks are mitigated, assuming proper hygiene during expression and storage. A mother is not going to transmit diseases to herself via her own bodily fluids. However, if any illnesses or substances, such as certain medications or illicit drugs, are present in the mother's system, they would also be present in the milk.

The Nutritional Value for Adults vs. Infants

Breastmilk is a complex, dynamic fluid specifically and perfectly tailored to meet the developmental and nutritional needs of a human infant. The composition changes over time, from the early-stage colostrum, rich in immune factors, to mature milk. The notion that these immense benefits for a baby translate to an adult is largely unfounded. A healthy adult's digestive system is far different from an infant's, and many of the bioactive components that are so crucial for a newborn are simply broken down and rendered ineffective by an adult's more acidic stomach environment.

What Makes Breastmilk Unique for Infants?

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs): These complex sugars act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in an infant's developing gut microbiome. While some research explores synthetic HMOs for adult gut health, consuming whole breastmilk is not a proven method.
Antibodies (sIgA): Maternal antibodies transferred through breastmilk provide passive immunity, protecting the infant against pathogens. A healthy adult already has a developed immune system, making the impact of these antibodies negligible.
Growth Factors: Components like epidermal growth factor help mature an infant's gastrointestinal tract. This function is not necessary for a healthy adult and is unlikely to have a significant effect.
Unique Microbiome: Breastmilk contains its own community of bacteria that help seed and shape the infant's gut flora. For adults, the effect on an already-established microbiome is minimal.

Debunking Common Myths About Adult Breastmilk Consumption

There are many unproven claims regarding the health benefits of breastmilk for adults. These often circulate on forums and social media, promoting breastmilk as a superfood, immune booster, or cancer fighter. Experts consistently state that these claims are not backed by scientific evidence. In many cases, people who report feeling better after consuming breastmilk are likely experiencing a placebo effect. Rest, hydration, and good nutrition, which often coincide with the self-care of someone feeling unwell, are far more likely to be the cause of any improvement.

Comparing Adult Nutritional Needs vs. Breastmilk


Feature	Breastmilk Composition (Mature)	Healthy Adult Dietary Needs (Typical)
Primary Purpose	Complete nutrition and immune support for a growing infant.	Wide range of nutrients, fiber, and adequate calories for body maintenance.
Protein Content	Approx. 0.9–1.2 g/dL (Low compared to cow's milk).	Substantially higher protein intake for muscle maintenance and repair.
Fat Content	Variable; higher in hindmilk to meet infant energy needs.	Balanced fat intake, including essential fatty acids from a varied diet.
Immune Factors	Rich in antibodies, lactoferrin, and immune cells for infant protection.	Mature immune system relies on a balanced diet and overall health, not passive antibodies.
Digestibility	Designed for an infant's undeveloped digestive system.	Efficiently digested by a more acidic stomach and mature gut.

Potential Risks and What to Consider

While drinking your own breastmilk is not associated with the same risks as consuming donor milk, it is not entirely risk-free. The potential for bacterial contamination exists if proper hygiene protocols for expressing and storing are not followed. Even if the milk is from a known and trusted source, such as a partner, it can still carry risks of infectious diseases if the donor is not properly screened. Additionally, any medications, drugs, or environmental toxins consumed by the lactating mother may be present in the milk. For any adult, breastmilk is not a nutritionally superior choice compared to a balanced diet and other protein sources. The protein content is lower than cow's milk, for example, making it a poor choice for those seeking muscle gain.

Conclusion

In summary, while a mother can safely consume her own breastmilk, it is not a recommended or particularly beneficial health practice for a healthy adult. The benefits are negligible compared to the targeted nutritional and immune support it provides an infant. Claims of significant health improvements or immune boosting are not supported by scientific evidence and are likely influenced by the placebo effect. For any adult considering consuming breastmilk for health reasons, focusing on a balanced diet, proper nutrition, and consulting with a healthcare professional is a far more effective and evidence-based strategy.

Human Milk Composition: Nutrients and Bioactive Factors - PMC

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is generally considered safe for a mother to drink her own breast milk because she is not exposed to any foreign pathogens. Assuming proper handling and storage, the risk of contamination is low.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that drinking breastmilk provides significant immune-boosting benefits for a healthy adult. The immune factors are tailored for an infant's undeveloped system and are largely digested before they can have a substantial effect in an adult.

Breastmilk is formulated for an infant's rapid growth and immature digestive system. Adults have different nutritional needs, and their mature digestive systems break down the delicate bioactive components that provide unique benefits to a baby.

Consuming donor breastmilk from an unscreened source is very risky. It can transmit infectious diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis, and is often contaminated with bacteria from improper handling or storage.

While breastmilk is used topically by some for minor skin irritations or eye issues, scientific evidence for its effectiveness is inconsistent. It's best to consult a doctor for a professional medical opinion.

No, breastmilk is not an effective way for adults to build muscle. It contains less protein than other milk sources, like cow's milk, and claims of its effectiveness for muscle gain are not supported by scientific research.

If you have excess breastmilk, consider donating it to a regulated human milk bank, which screens and pasteurizes the milk for vulnerable infants. You can also explore alternative, safe uses like adding it to your baby's bath.