Translation guide
In Japanese, 'baby milk' can refer to breast milk, formula, or the act of feeding a baby milk. The most common terms depend on context: 母乳 for breast milk, ミルク for formula, and 粉ミルク for powdered formula. When talking about feeding, use 授乳する or ミルクをあげる.
Referring to milk produced by a mother for her baby.
Standard term for breast milk. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
母乳で育てています。
I'm breastfeeding my baby.
母乳の出が悪いです。
My breast milk supply is low.
Casual, child-friendly term for breast milk or breasts. Often used by mothers with young children.
赤ちゃんがおっぱいを欲しがっている。
The baby wants milk.
Referring to commercially prepared milk substitute for babies.
Common term for infant formula, especially liquid or prepared. Can also mean cow's milk in other contexts, but in baby contexts it means formula.
ミルクをあげる時間です。
It's time to feed the baby formula.
ミルクを作ってください。
Please make the formula.
Specifically powdered formula. Used when distinguishing from liquid formula.
Formal term for infant formula, often seen on packaging.
育児用ミルクの缶を買いました。
I bought a can of infant formula.
The act of giving milk to a baby, either breast or bottle.
General verb for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Neutral and widely used.
授乳中です。
I'm feeding the baby.
授乳の間隔は3時間です。
The feeding interval is every three hours.
Specifically giving formula. あげる is used when the giver is the subject and the receiver is a baby or someone of lower status.
パパがミルクをあげてね。
Daddy, please give the baby formula.
Casual way to say breastfeeding. Used among family.
ちょっとおっぱいをあげてくるね。
I'll go breastfeed the baby for a bit.
Referring to the milk a baby drinks without specifying type.
General phrase meaning 'baby's milk'. Can refer to either breast milk or formula depending on context.
赤ちゃんのミルクを温めてください。
Please warm up the baby's milk.
牛乳 (ぎゅうにゅう) means cow's milk. It is not used for breast milk or formula. Using it for baby milk can cause confusion.
赤ちゃんに牛乳をあげないでください。
Please don't give cow's milk to the baby.
母乳 is breast milk, ミルク is formula. When asking a mother how she feeds her baby, you might hear 完全母乳 (かんぜんぼにゅう, exclusively breastfed) or 混合 (こんごう, mixed feeding).
粉ミルクをお湯で溶かします。
Dissolve the powdered formula in hot water.