What can you do with leftover breast milk?

Breast milk is often called “liquid gold” because of its valuable nutrients and infant health benefits. Sometimes, you may have leftover breast milk your baby hasn’t consumed. Rather than letting this precious resource go to waste, consider exploring a variety of practical uses and creative ideas to make the most of your surplus breast milk.

This comprehensive guide will discuss how to safely store leftover breast milk, explore its benefits beyond feeding, and present innovative ways to utilize excess breast milk.

Proper Storage of Leftover Breast Milk

Before delving into alternative uses, it’s essential to understand how to safely store breast milk to maintain its quality and prevent spoilage. Follow these storage guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C): Store breast milk for up to four hours.
Refrigerator (40°F/4°C or cooler): Store breast milk for up to four days.
Freezer (0°F/-18°C or colder): Store breast milk for up to six months.

Always use airtight containers or breast milk storage bags, and label them with the date of expression. When thawing frozen breast milk, use a refrigerator or place the container in a bowl of warm water. Never refreeze thawed breast milk.

Alternative Uses for Leftover Breast Milk

Baby skincare: Breast milk is rich in antibodies and nutrients that can benefit your baby’s skin. You can use it to treat minor skin irritations, such as diaper rash, eczema, and cradle cap. Simply apply a few drops of breast milk to the affected area and let it air dry.
Eye infections: Breast milk has antimicrobial properties that can help soothe and heal eye infections, such as conjunctivitis or blocked tear ducts. Apply a drop or two of breast milk to the corner of your baby’s eye using a clean cotton ball or a dropper.
Nasal congestion: Use breast milk as a natural saline solution to help clear your baby’s stuffy nose. Place a few drops of breast milk in each nostril and then use a nasal aspirator to suction out the mucus gently.
Teething relief: Freeze breast milk in ice cube trays or popsicle molds to create soothing “milk sicles” for teething babies. These can help numb your baby’s gums and temporarily relieve teething discomfort.
Baby food: As your baby starts transitioning to solids, you can use breast milk as a liquid base to mix with pureed fruits, vegetables, or cereals, enhancing the nutritional value and familiarizing your baby with new flavors.

Creative Ideas for Using Leftover Breast Milk

Breast milk jewelry: Turn your breast milk into a unique keepsake by preserving it in resin and creating a piece of jewelry. Many artists specialize in this process and can help you create a personalized necklace, bracelet, or ring with your breast milk.
Breast milk soap: Create gentle, nourishing soap using your leftover breast milk. You can find DIY recipes online that combine breast milk with natural ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, and essential oils. This soap can be used for both babies and moms, as it is gentle and moisturizing.
Breast milk lotion: Make a natural, hydrating lotion by combining breast milk with ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil. This homemade lotion is ideal for moisturizing your baby’s delicate skin.
Breast milk bath: Add leftover breast milk to your baby’s bath water for a soothing, nourishing soak. The natural fats and proteins in breastmilk can help moisturize and protect your baby’s skin, while its antimicrobial properties can aid in healing minor skin irritations.
Breast milk smoothies: As your baby transitions to solids and enjoys a wider variety of foods, you can create nutritious breast milk smoothies. Blend breast milk with fruits like bananas, strawberries, or avocado to introduce your baby to new flavors and textures while still benefiting from the nutrients in your milk.
Breast milk ice cream: Make a delicious, nutrient-dense treat by creating breast milk ice cream. Combine breast milk with fruit purees, natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup (for babies over one-year-old), and other healthy ingredients. Freeze the mixture using an ice cream maker or the no-churn method to create a tasty dessert.
Donate to a milk bank: If you have a significant amount of leftover breast milk, consider donating it to a milk bank. Human milk banks collect, screen, and pasteurize breast milk to provide it to infants in need, such as premature babies or those with medical conditions. Reach out to your local milk bank or lactation consultant for information on how to donate.
Breast milk art: Preserve the memory of your breastfeeding journey by turning your breast milk into art. Some artists specialize in creating unique paintings using breast milk as the medium. You can also find DIY tutorials online for creating breast milk art at home.
Breast milk butter: Create your breast milk butter using a mixer or shake the breast milk in a jar until the fat separates and forms a solid mass. This butter can be used as a spread or added to recipes for a nutrient boost.
Cooking and baking: Incorporate leftover breast milk into your recipes to add extra nutrients and a unique flavor. Use breast milk as a substitute for cow’s milk or water in recipes like pancakes, muffins, or oatmeal.

Safety and Precautions

While exploring these alternative uses and creative ideas for leftover breast milk, always consider the following precautions:
Ensure proper storage and handling of breast milk to maintain its quality and prevent contamination.
If using breast milk for topical applications, conduct a patch test on a small area of your baby’s skin to check for any adverse reactions.
Consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods, ingredients, or treatments to your baby.

Leftover breast milk offers many possibilities for creative and practical uses, from skincare remedies to nutritious recipes. This comprehensive guide highlights various ways to make the most of your surplus liquid gold while ensuring the safety and well-being of your baby.

By exploring these alternative uses, you can help minimize waste and discover innovative ways to benefit from the remarkable properties of breast milk. Whether you’re creating keepsakes, nourishing your baby’s skin, or enhancing their diet, the possibilities for using leftover breast milk are virtually endless.