Curious about the milk bath maternity shoot and how to pull one off? We’ve got you covered. Read on for all the details of this milky magic.
The milk bath is a decadent beauty ritual rooted in ancient times.
Legend has it that Cleopatra enjoyed a good milk soak (although, if the rumor is true, this was in sour donkey milk. You do you, Cleo.)
And since then, this tradition has continued through the ages, a favorite amongst celebs, from Queen Elizabeth I to Mariah Carey.
Drawing on the classic charm of this ancient practice, the milk bath maternity shoot has made a splash over the last few years.
It’s enchanting, whimsical, and oh-so-beautiful.
If documenting your pregnancy this way is your cup of tea—or bath of milk—we’ve got you covered.
We’ll take you through exactly what a milk bath maternity shoot is and how to pull one off yourself. 🥛
In this article: 📝
- What is a milk bath maternity shoot?
- How do you make a milk bath for maternity pictures?
- How much milk do you need for a milk bath photoshoot?
What is a milk bath maternity shoot?
You may have noticed this trend on social media—mamas-to-be celebrating their transition into motherhood with gorgeous photographs of their milked-soaked bump.
Decorated in flowers, the model mama is often sporting a sheer white outfit and a serene look on her face, giving the whole scene an otherworldly, fairy tale feel.
Like flower crowns, the sunset silhouette, and the rustic out-in-the-field style of photography, milk bath maternity shoots are trending as an artsy way of capturing this special chapter of your life.
And beyond it just being pretty, it’s hard not to see the symbolism in the milk bath.
Milk, after all, is going to be an important part of the first chapter of your baby’s life.
How do you make a milk bath for maternity pictures?
So what’s the deal? Are they really baths filled with milk—or is there some clever trick here?
And what about those floating flowers?
How do they get them to look like that?
We’ll take you through the details.
First, you have two options. You can either hire a professional photographer to do your shoot for you.
They may be able to facilitate the whole process, including getting the necessary props and decorations together.
Or, you can go the DIY route, which is less expensive and can be a whole lot of fun.
Whichever avenue you choose, here’s what the process entails.
1. Choose a location
A home or hotel room are both great options.
Not only will you likely have a bathtub ready to use, but you’ll also have space to relax when you need to.
Alternatively, if you have access to a stand-alone bath that you would like to put out in a field or a forest, that can add a magical dimension to your already mesmerizing look (although this does require a bit more planning and coordination).
2. Find an outfit
Go full-goddess by opting for an outfit that is sheer and/or lacy.
Favorites are dresses, robes, and lingerie.
You can use a bikini or full swimsuit for a different look.
Another option? No outfit at all.
Make sure to have something to put on afterward to keep warm.
3. Collect the flowers you love
You’ll want to choose real rather than fake flowers.
That’s because fake flowers are likely to sink to the bottom.
And leaving a small stem can help them float better.
Bigger flowers like chrysanthemums work beautifully.
The odd full rose combined with a spattering of petals can work well, too.
Get everything prepped beforehand, so all you need to do is add them in when the time is right.
4. Add water to the tub, then milk
Going the other way may make it look bubbly rather than smooth.
(How much milk, you ask? We’ll get to that in a minute.)
Allow it to settle for about 15 to 20 minutes before getting in.
Also, consider the temperature.
Hot baths are not a great idea right now, but getting too cold is not ideal either.
5. Get yourself into the tub.
And, to keep things safe, get your friends, partner, or photographer to help you in.
6. Add the flowers.
Your fairy fantasies are almost complete!
You may also want to add flowers around the tub to complete the look.
7. Take the photos from above
This angle tends to work best to show the scene in all its glory.
8. Get a few different angles of that belly
Sideways belly and belly up work well.
How much milk do you need for a milk bath photoshoot?
It all depends on the size of the tub, but one gallon of full cow’s milk mixed with water should do the trick.
If you’re working with a photographer, ensure they use fresh milk for each shoot.
And rinse your body well after your shoot.
And finally, check in with your healthcare provider first to see if there is any reason why you should be steering clear of milk baths.
If you have an gallery or intolerance to dairy products, for example, opting for another kind of maternity shoot may be best.
You can do a skin test before the day to double-check ahead of time that you don’t have any sensitivities.
It’s likely that your shoot will be later in your pregnancy, as this is when you’ll be sporting an impressive bump.
At this point, you may be feeling some discomfort as you bring your peanut to the finish line.
If at any point, you feel fatigued, dizzy, or in pain, stop and rest.
Your health and the health of your baby are the most important things right now.
And if you feel like discussing this with other mamas-to-be, join us on Peanut.
We’re here for you.