What Are Baby Milk Spots?

If you’ve found some white spots on your baby’s head or face then there’s no need to hit the panic button. They’re probably just milk spots. 

What are milk spots? 

Milia, sometimes called milk spots, are white or yellow tiny (1-2mm) seed-like pearly sacs under your baby’s skin. You might hear them called baby acne (although confusingly this can be used for red spots too). 

About half of all babies get them and they usually pop up around the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead and sometimes on their chest and back. Your baby might have none, one or two or loads of them and they have absolutely nothing to do with breastfeeding. Milk spots is a daft name really. 

The great news is they’re harmless but no one really knows what causes them. You don’t need to do anything with them and they usually vanish after a few weeks. 

I want to squeeze them! 

No, no and er, no. You can cause a scar because there’s no opening for the stuff inside (it’s keratin not pus) to get out. All you need to do is wash your baby as normal, you don’t need a cream either unless your doctor or health visitor says so. 

Do I need to see my doctor about milk spots? 

Nope, unless you think they’re infected, spreading or your baby seems really upset or in pain. Sometimes milk spots are actually a different kind of rash caused by a milk allergy, infection or heat and that might need treatment. 

It’s super important if they have other symptoms that you get them checked out at the GP or hospital. And if they have a rash and any of these symptoms stop reading now and call 999. 

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