Homemade breastmilk lotion is a great way to use up extra milk. While easy to make it greatly benefits sensitive skin and can help with minor skin irritations.
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Breastmilk lotion will make applying breastmilk to your baby's skin a lot easier than fresh milk due to it's thicker consistency. I use it all the time on my littles. For they're baths we usually do an oatmeal bath, wash with breastmilk soap and then follow up with this lotion. They're skin has never been softer!
I typically have enough supply of milk and will whip up a new batch of this lotion quite frequently. Breastmilk lotion stored at room temperature doesn't stay fresh very long which is something to keep in mind. I'll explain best practices for storing later in the post.
Breastmilk is know for it's beneficial properties and as baby's perfect first food. It's loaded with nourishing fatty acids and antibodies. And it's composition changes as your baby grows to meet the nutritional needs of an active baby. Truly a miracle liquid!
"Put some breastmilk on it" is probably the number one advice you get from breastfeeding moms to treat any kind of rash. And for good reason since breast milk has many amazing benefits when applied to the skin.
What is breastmilk lotion good for?
- diaper rash
- baby acne
- cradle cap
- eczema
- itchy dry skin
- stretch marks
- reduce persistent scratching
How to properly store breastmilk lotion
When making breastmilk lotion it's important to be aware that breastmilk is a fresh ingredient that contains water. Water is a breading ground for bacteria and mold.
Human milk stored at room temperature has a short shelf life. Breastmilk lotion made without a broad spectrum preservative is no different.
Some of the information found on the web will tell you that adding vitamin e oil will increase the shelf life. While that might be true for oil based products like whipped body butter, it's a false claim when it comes to water based ingredients. Vitamin e oil will delay rancidity of oils, but can't combat the growth of bacteria and mold.
Picture this: your baby has a small cut on their skin. Do you really want to slather them up with an expired lotion and potentially introducing bacteria to the wound? Probably not.
That's why breastmilk lotion should be stored in the fridge and taken out only when ready to apply. The lotion will still be soft and spreadable, you simply warm it up between your hands. If you're going to make breastmilk lotion bars you can even keep them in the freezer.
How to make DIY breastmilk lotion
The biggest challenge with making this kind of lotion is to get the milk properly mixed in with the other ingredients. That's why I like to use a handheld mixer for a smooth lotion without separation.
Equipment
- small heat resistant glass measuring cup
- small pot filled with 1 inch of water (to create a make shift double boiler)
- handheld mixer with whisk attachment
- small glass jar with lid (for storage)
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Easy breastmilk lotion recipe
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 3 oz liquid oil (e.g. grape seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil)
- a few drops of vitamin e oil
- 3 oz breastmilk (room temperature, can be previously frozen)
- 5 drops of essential oil (lavender, chamomile or sweet orange are good choices)
Breast milk lotion recipe without beeswax
- ½ Tbsp carnauba wax
- 2 tablespoon liquid oil of choice
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 oz breastmilk
How to make breastmilk lotion
- fill a small sauce pan with 1 Inch of water a set on medium heat
- into glass measuring cup add wax and liquid oil
- whisk until melted
- take glass pitcher of heat source
- add vitamin e oil, essential oil and breastmilk
- turn on mixer on low speed and whip until white and fluffy
- let lotion cool and scoop into airtight container
- store in the fridge for up to 5 days
How to make breast milk lotion bars
The great thing about making breastmilk lotion bars is that you can freeze them and use them as you go. Try this simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon beeswax
- 3 tablespoon shea butter
- couple of drops of vitamin e oil
- 5 drops essential oils (lavender, chamomile or sweet orange are great choices)
- 1.5 oz breastmilk (room temperature)
Equipment
- small heat resistant glass measuring cup
- small pot filled with 1 inch of water (to create a make shift double boiler)
- handheld mixer with one whisk attachment
- silicone mold
Instructions
- fill a small sauce pan with 1 Inch of water a set on medium heat
- into glass measuring cup add wax and liquid oil
- whisk until melted
- take glass pitcher of heat source
- add breastmilk and essential oil
- whip on low setting
- scoop into silicone mold (the texture will be quite chunky at this point)
- place in fridge to cool and harden
- unmold and store in small airtight container, Ziplock bag or wrap in plastic wrap
- store in fridge or freezer
Looking for more creative ways to use breastmilk? Check out my breast milk soap recipe it's great for the whole family.
FAQs
How long does breastmilk lotion last?
When stored in the fridge it will only last for up to one week. Take it out ahead of time for it to soften before applying. Breastmilk lotion bars can be stored in the freezer for at least 6 months.
Can my baby be allergic to breastmilk lotion?
There's a chance your baby might be allergic to beeswax, coconut oil, another type of liquid oil and/or essential oil. It's a good idea to test the lotion on a small area of your babies skin first to make sure there's no adverse reaction.
Does breast milk lotion help eczema?
Breastmilk has been found to be as effective in treating eczema as a hydrocortisone cream without the side effects. In addition beeswax used to make breastmilk lotion creates a protective barrier on top of the skin to help the healing process and lock in moisture.
Breastmilk Lotion Recipe
Homemade breastmilk lotion is a great way to use up extra milk. While easy to make it greatly benefits sensitive skin and can help with minor skin irritations.
Ingredients
- Easy breastmilk lotion recipe
- - 1 tablespoon beeswax
- - 3 oz liquid oil (e.g. grape seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil)
- - a few drops of vitamin e oil
- - 3 oz breastmilk (room temperature, can be previously frozen)
- - 5 drops of essential oil (lavender, chamomile or sweet orange are good choices)
- Breast milk lotion recipe without beeswax
- - ½ tablespoon carnauba wax
- - 2 tablespoon liquid oil of choice
- - 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- - 3 oz breastmilk
- Breastmilk lotion bar
- - 1.5 oz breastmilk
- - 3 tablespoon beeswax
- - 3 tablespoon shea butter
- - couple of drops of vitamin e oil
- - 5 drops essential oils
Instructions
Equipment
- small heat resistant glass measuring cup
- small pot filled with 1 inch of water (to create a make shift double boiler)
- handheld mixer with whisk attachment
- small glass jar with lid (for storage)
Instructions
- fill a small sauce pan with 1 Inch of water a set on medium heat
- into glass measuring cup add wax and liquid oil
- whisk until melted
- take glass pitcher of heat source
- add vitamin e oil, essential oil and breastmilk
- turn on mixer on low speed and whip until white and fluffy
- let lotion cool and scoop into airtight container
- store in the fridge for up to 5 days
Notes
Store in fridge for up to one week.
Blanca M.
I made the lotion bars and I followed the instructions as listed. Once I had my beeswax and shea butter melted, I added the oils and breast milk. The moment the breast milk hit the mixture, it started to solidify. When I whipped it, it’s seemed to whip well, but as I was putting it in my mold, it was evident that there was some separation. I was left with some liquid in my bowl and liquid oozing out of my molds. Is this normal?
Celine
Hi Blanca,
yes this is common since these lotion bars are made with simple ingredients that don't emulsify as well as if you added an emulsifier. I keep the lotion bars in the freezer and when I'm ready to use them I warm them in my hands before applying.
Becki
I seemed to have the same problem as the commenter above. I was trying to make the easy lotion (followed it exactly) and as soon as I added the breastmilk it only partially absorbed and there is quite a bit of separation with a lot of the breastmilk not absorbing. Does it eventually absorb? otherwise it seems like 3 oz is not the right ratio or is a waste of breastmilk.
Celine
It sometimes happen when you make lotion bars. When making actual lotion I never had an issue. Try mixing it again, maybe the breastmilk was to cold?