Get Over Acne!
Acne Treatment and Prevention

Is baby acne caused from hormones in breastmilk?

My 3 week old son has baby acne and I was wondering if it might be something I ate and could coming out in my breastmilk and getting into his system and irritating his skin? It looks painful.He's not in pain with it and I know that the acne will clear up on its own. I just wondered if this is a possible cause.

Public Comments

1. Actually, many babies have acne regardless of what they are fed.

Hormones 'can' be a cause, but formula has way more hormones in it because the cows are treated with hormones to make them produce more milk. So, if it is hormones, you're still better off breastfeeding.

What you are eating is not going to cause acne. It's a myth that eating things like fried foods or chocolate causes acne, so what you eat would not cause acne in a breastfed baby.

Just wash your baby's face gently at least once or twice a day and it will clear up on its own in a little while.

2. baby acne happens to many little ones. Generally it is caused by the hormones from Mom, (that are still in the babe) making their own version of havoc.

It will clear up on it's own, just leave them be.

congrats on your new bundle, by the way!

3. apparently, but i was also told the baby is given a surge of hormone as they cross the placenta and that is the course it's almost like they're going through puberty, maybe i haven't explained that well but something like i was told!!! my breastfed baby suffered this i searched the net for a remedy and was advised to clean the skin with cooled boiled water allow to air dry and then apply breast milk and allow to dry and leave repeat twice a day!! it disappeared after 5 days and then a couple of weeks later appeared a little and then i did the same and it disappeared for good within a few day!! miracle stuff this breast milk!! :)