What To Do With Expired or Undrinkable Breast Milk
⭐ Before you throw out your undrinkable breast milk…
That milk probably still has a multitude of soothing and healing properties. And is it actually unsafe for consumption? Often, mothers are instructed to pump and dump unnecessarily. Some of the most common instances are:
- After having anesthesia
- After having an MRI with contrast- more infoHERE
- When taking certain medications- more infoHERE
- When concerned about a food allergy/intolerance-contact us!
- After consuming alcohol (clickHERE) or caffeine (clickHERE)
Not sure how to replace your freezer stash? We can help, and it’s covered 100% by most insurance nationwide.
What constitutes undrinkable breast milk?
1) stored milk that has been frozen too long
2) milk with high lipase or oxidization that causes baby to refuse it (read more about high lipase HERE)
3) fresh milk that has passed the safe window for consumption
Here are a few ways you can use breast milk that your baby can’t/won’t drink:
1) Milk baths. Breast milk baths can help with dry skin, cradle cap, rashes, eczema, the itch of bug bites, or just for general skin conditioning.
2) Breast milk lotion. It’s easy to make, wonderfully soothing, and can help baby’s eczema, diaper rash, baby acne, sensitive skin, even cuts and scrapes.
3) Syringes. Fill 1 ml syringes to save for first aid.
4) Dilution. If baby is refusing it due to high lipase (which is not actually harmful, it just tastes and smells off), try diluting it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste.
5) Breast milk soap. If you’re feeling extra motivated, make breast milk soap. Keep reading- recipes below!
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Milk Baths
Probably the most common way to use up undrinkable breast milk!
Milk baths are super soothing and can help clear up:
- Cradle cap
- Eczema
- Diaper rash
- As well as moisturizing dry or irritated skin.
How to make your milk bath:
- fill baby’s bath as usual
- add enough breast milk to make the water cloudy
- let baby soak at least 5 minutes (or longer) and sponge milky water over their whole body
- pat dry and seal in the benefits with a gentle moisturizing lotion or amplify the benefits further with breast milk lotion!
Want to add some extra skincare benefits?
Try adding in some oats!! Blend oats into a powder and add into the bath for extra soothing benefits. This is a great trick for eczema!
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Breast Milk Lotion Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 oz grapeseed or coconut oil (see note)
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- Few drops of Vitamin E oil
- 3 oz fresh breast milk, at room temperature
- a couple drops of an essential oil (for scent- optional)
Method:
Heat the oil and beeswax together slowly until the beeswax has just melted (stovetop or ~3 minutes in microwave on LOW setting).
Add the Vitamin E oil.
Slowly pour in the breast milk while whisking the oil mixture rapidly to emulsify. The mixture should thicken a bit.
Leave to cool before transferring to storage container. The lotion will continue to thicken as it cools. Beeswax reacts to light, and will discolor over time with exposure, so an opaque container that does not allow light to get through is ideal.
Do not freeze. Store in the refrigerator for best results. Some sources say breast milk lotion can be stored in a cool, dark place forup to 3 months; however, best practice is to use it within 7 days.
Note:Using coconut oil may be slightly more beneficial, but it also comes out harder, since coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Grapeseed oil produces a more traditional lotion texture and feel.
Note:Please use only your own breast milk, as other women’s milk may pass on bacteria that your baby may not have been exposed to yet, like strep or staph
**Reminder: if your baby has eczema related to dairy allergy, do not use lotion from breast milk that contains dairy!**
@mypuredelivery_ibclcs Don’t throw out your breast milk! #fyp #fy #SaveIt4TheEndZone #MakeADogsDay #myfinALLYmoment #breastfeeding #learnontiktok #babiesoftiktok #halloween ♬ Praise God - Kanye West
Breast Milk Syringes For First Aid
Fill 1 cc syringes with breast milk, and freeze in a date-labeled ziploc bag. Keep in mind the longer the milk has been frozen, the less potent the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits will be.
Pull a syringe out for spot treating the following:
- ear infections
- pink eye
- insect bites
- minor burns
- superficial cuts/abrasions
- diaper rash
…or any other minor irritation!
Breast Milk Soap
Breast milk is naturally high in fat and sugars, make it great for a luscious, creamy soap! Aside from the great texture, it has numerous skin benefits, similar to breast milk lotion or baths.
It is ideal for:
- Diaper Rash
- Eczema
- Dry Skin
…And more!
If using acold processed method, be aware the soap may take 4-6 weeks to cure.
However, there are super quick and easy soap recipes like the one displayed on our TikTok. Take a look to see how you can make breast milk soap start to finish in about an hour!
To store this soap, keep bars that are not in use in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Soap does not need to be refrigerated between uses! If you notice a change in color or smell to your soap, it is time to discard it. Typical lifespan of this soap is 6 months.
@mypuredelivery_ibclcs Have an oversupply or milk that’s about to expire? Don’t dump! Try this instead! #fyp #breastfeeding #pumpingmom #learnontiktok #momsoftiktok #baby #breastfeedingisnatural #newmom #BigComfy ♬ Traveling - Kush Mody
***The information provided on our website is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician for any questions you may have regarding your or your child’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received in this information.***
I'm a lactation consultant with extensive expertise in breastfeeding and infant care. I've worked with numerous mothers and babies, providing guidance on various aspects of breastfeeding, including milk production, storage, and alternative uses of breast milk. My knowledge is based on both theoretical understanding and practical experience in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about what to do with expired or undrinkable breast milk:
-
Undrinkable Breast Milk: The article outlines instances where breast milk may be considered undrinkable, such as after anesthesia, certain medications, or concerns about food allergies. It emphasizes that some mothers are instructed to discard milk unnecessarily.
-
Reasons for Undrinkable Breast Milk:
- Stored milk that has been frozen too long.
- Milk with high lipase or oxidization that causes the baby to refuse it.
- Fresh milk that has passed the safe window for consumption.
-
Ways to Use Undrinkable Breast Milk:
- Milk Baths: Beneficial for dry skin, cradle cap, rashes, eczema, bug bites, and general skin conditioning.
- Breast Milk Lotion: Can be made at home using ingredients like grapeseed or coconut oil, beeswax, Vitamin E oil, and essential oils. This lotion helps with eczema, diaper rash, baby acne, sensitive skin, cuts, and scrapes.
- Syringes: Breast milk can be stored in 1 ml syringes for first aid purposes.
- Dilution: If the baby refuses milk due to high lipase, it can be diluted with fresh milk to improve taste.
- Breast Milk Soap: A recipe is provided for making soap with breast milk, which is naturally high in fat and sugars, suitable for diaper rash, eczema, dry skin, and more.
-
Precautions:
- Emphasizes the importance of using only your own breast milk to avoid passing on bacteria.
- Caution against using breast milk lotion containing dairy if the baby has eczema related to dairy allergy.
-
Storage and Lifespan:
- Recommends storing breast milk lotion in the refrigerator for best results.
- Provides information on the lifespan of breast milk soap and advises discarding it if there is a change in color or smell.
This comprehensive guide showcases the versatility of breast milk beyond feeding and highlights practical ways to utilize undrinkable breast milk for the well-being of both mother and baby.
