Witch’s Milk in Babies: Is It dangerous?

Is that milk coming out of the baby’s chest? Yes, but don’t panic. It’s perfectly normal. We’ll explain what’s going on with this so-called witch’s milk.

When a newborn baby’s nipples suddenly swell up and milk is flowing out, many parents are totally unsettled. Is that dangerous? Do we need to see a doctor? Will it hurt the baby? Did something go wrong while breastfeeding?

We can calm down there: The so-called witch’s milk is something completely natural and nothing to worry about.

Witch’s Milk: That’s what it’s all about

For us women, the milk flow is called galactorrhea. If it is transmitted to the baby, the phenomenon is called witch’s milk.

In the first few days after birth, many newborns secrete a milk-like substance from their nipples – and this can occur in both girls and boys. After one to two weeks the symptoms usually subside.

However, if you feel that your baby is hurting a little, it is better to go to the doctor again or ask your midwife.

How is witch’s milk made?

Why exactly secretion leaks from the nipples of babies is still not completely understood. There are various theories:

1. The mother’s hormones are to blame: It is suspected that the mother’s hormones could be a reason for this. After all, the mother’s body produces estrogens and prolactin during pregnancy to prepare the mammary glands for breastfeeding. And since the mother’s body is closely connected to and cares for the baby during pregnancy, it is quite possible that these hormones are passed on to the unborn child. Strictly speaking, the baby’s breast is also prepared for breastfeeding in this way. This in turn leads to swollen mammary glands and milk secretion.
2. The baby’s brain provides the milk: Or rather, it is assumed that the pituitary gland of the baby, which is responsible among other things for the hormone balance, produces the hormone prolactin itself after birth. Which in turn leads to the milk phenomenon.

And why is it called witch’s milk?

Like everything that has to do with witches, the term witches’ milk comes from the Middle Ages. As early as the 16th century, people spoke of this phenomenon as witches’ milk, but in a rather eerie way:

It was believed that bewitched birds had attacked the newborn babies, so they would now expel the “poisonous” secretion. These birds were sent by witches or were themselves enchanted witches and wanted to harm the baby. And so the term witch’s milk was born out of superstition.

Of course, by now this is completely outdated and we know witch’s milk is neither an act of the devil nor dangerous.