Newborn infant produces milk, like how breastfeeding mothers do

Baby Rachelle is 23-year-old mother Ednalyn Rebosura's bundle of joy.

She looked normal and healthy until mom Ednalyn and dad Marlon noticed something odd about her appearance.

At one month old, Baby Rachelle's bosom was larger than usual. It also produced a yellowish liquid that looked like breast milk!

"First time ko pong maka-encounter ng ganito kasi sinubukan po naming i-search sa Youtube po, sa Google po, wala pong lumalabas. Sa tingin ko po, baby ko lang po ang may ganun," said Ednalyn on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

["This is the first time I saw something like it. We tried searching online, but there was nothing about babies producing breast milk."]

Asked about what she thought was the cause of Rachelle's condition, the young mother suspected it might have been formula milk she’s been feeding her baby.

Marlon was also disturbed when he heard the news.

"May napanood ako dati na batang nireregla na posibleng maagang mabuntis. Siyempre natatakot din ako na kalaunan, baka ganoon yung kanyang maging kondisyon," he said.

["I remembered watching a KMJS documentary about a child getting her period early. She could get pregnant at a young age. I was scared my baby would experience the same fate."]

With the help of the KMJS team, Marlon and Ednalyn visited a doctor to learn more about their daughter's condition.

According to Pedia-Endocrinologist Dr. Wilson Cua, the liquid that Rachelle's bosom produced was, indeed, milk.

It is known as Neonatal Galactorrhea Milk or Witch's Milk.

Cua explained that one in every 1,000 children experiences this. The presence of Neonatal Galactorrhea Milk in newborn children is caused by high estrogen levels of the mother during pregnancy.

Cua clarified that the formula milk was not the cause of Baby Rachelle’s production of Neonatal Galactorrhea Milk.

Those who believe in superstition called it "Witch's Milk" because it was believed to be used in witchcraft.

Although Rachelle's condition was not life-threatening, Cua advised Ednalyn and Marlon not to squeeze the baby’s breast as it might cause inflammation.

Ednalyn shared that she was relieved that her child was safe.

"Masayang-masaya po kami na dumating po siya sa buhay namin. Blessing po sa amin si baby,” she said. 

["We’re really happy that Baby Rachelle came into our lives. She’s such a blessing."]

— Angelica Y. Yang/LA, GMA News