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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Due to its thicker consistency, breastmilk lotion is much easier to apply to your baby's skin than fresh milk. I use it all the time on my littles. For their baths, we usually do an oatmeal bath, wash with breastmilk soap, and then follow up with this lotion. Their skin has never been softer!
I typically have enough milk supply and often whip up a new batch of this lotion. 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 known for its 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 breastfeeding moms give to treat any kind of rash. And for good reason: Breast milk has many amazing benefits when applied to the skin.
What is it Good for?
- diaper rash
- baby acne
- cradle cap
- eczema
- itchy dry skin
- stretch marks
- reduce persistent scratching
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1. Simple Recipe
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 6 tablespoon (3 oz) liquid oil (e.g. grape seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil)
- 3 oz breastmilk (room temperature, can be previously frozen)
- a few drops of vitamin E oil
- 5 drops of essential oil (optional, good choices are lavender, chamomile, or sweet orange)
2. Recipe Without Beeswax
- ½ Tbsp carnauba wax
- 2 tablespoon liquid oil of choice
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 oz breastmilk
Equipment
- small heat-resistant glass measuring cup
- small pot filled with 1 inch of water (to create a makeshift double boiler)
- handheld mixer with whisk attachment - When making this lotion it can be challenging 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.
- small glass jar with lid (for storage)
Instructions
- fill a small saucepan with 1 Inch of water and set it on medium heat
- add wax and liquid oil to a glass measuring cup
- place it in the saucepan
- whisk until melted
- take the glass cup of heat source
- add vitamin E oil, essential oil, and breastmilk
- turn on the mixer on low speed and whip until white and fluffy
- let the lotion cool and scoop it into an airtight container
- store in the fridge for up to 5 days
DIY Breastmilk 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
- a couple of drops of vitamin E oil
- 5 drops essential oils (optional; great choices are lavender, chamomile or sweet orange)
- 1.5 oz breastmilk (room temperature)
Equipment
- small heat-resistant glass measuring cup
- small pot filled with 1 inch of water (to create a makeshift double boiler)
- handheld mixer with one whisk attachment
- silicone mold
Instructions
- fill a small saucepan with 1 Inch of water and set it on medium heat
- add beeswax and shea butter to a glass pitcher
- place it in the saucepan
- whisk until melted
- take a glass pitcher of heat source
- add breastmilk and essential oil
- whip on low using a handheld mixer
- scoop into a silicone mold (the texture will be pretty chunky at this point)
- place in the fridge to cool and harden
- unmold and store in a 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.
Storage
When making breastmilk lotion, it's important to be aware that breastmilk is a fresh ingredient that contains water. Water is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
It should be stored in the fridge and used within 5 days. Even if cooled, the lotion will still be soft and spreadable. Warm it between the palms of your hands before applying. If you're making breastmilk lotion bars, you can even keep them in the freezer until ready to use.
Human milk stored at room temperature has a short shelf life, and breastmilk lotion made without a broad-spectrum preservative is no different.
Some information 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 the 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 want to slather them up with an expired lotion and potentially introduce bacteria to the wound? Probably not.
FAQs
How long does breastmilk lotion last?
When stored in the fridge it will last 5 days . 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 breast milk 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 baby's 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 (Source) 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 to lock in moisture.
Easy 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
Simple Breastmilk Lotion Recipe
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 6 tablespoon 3 oz liquid oil (e.g. grape seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil)
- 2 drops vitamin e oil
- 3 oz breastmilk room temperature, can be previously frozen
- 5 drops essential oil optional; lavender, chamomile or sweet orange are good choices
Breastmilk Lotion Recipe without Beeswax
- ½ tablespoon carnauba wax
- 2 tablespoon liquid oil of choice
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 3 oz breastmilk
Breastmilk lotion bars
- 1.5 oz breastmilk
- 3 tablespoon beeswax
- 3 tablespoon shea butter
- 2 drops vitamin e oil
- 5 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
-
fill a small saucepan with 1 Inch of water and set it on medium heat
-
To a glass measuring cup add wax and liquid oil
-
place in saucepan
-
whisk until melted
-
take the glass pitcher of heat source
-
add vitamin E oil, essential oil, and breastmilk
-
turn on the mixer on low speed and whip until lotion is white and fluffy
-
let lotion cool and scoop into an airtight container
-
store in the fridge for up to 5 days
Recipe Notes
Store in fridge for up to one week.
Blanca M. says
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 says
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.
Kathryn says
Hi, I followed this and got a great lotion. I am wondering about why you mention to keep it in the fridge? Will it keep its smooth / lotion consistency, or wouldn’t the cold make it a hard consistency? Thank you!
Celine says
It will keep it from spoiling. There's no preservative in this lotion recipe which means it will have to get used up quickly and stored as cool as possible.
Becki says
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 says
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?
Bridgette says
Hello,
I whisked my ingredients together as followed by your instructions and it never got "fluffy" like your picture you have posted. I whisked for about 15-20 minutes and it still poured right into the container. What am I doing wrong?
Celine says
I'm not sure. Was the milk you used room temperature or straight from the fridge?
LT says
Was so excited to try the breastmilk lotion w/o beeswax, but don't have a hand or electric mixer. The first time, I let the wax cool too much before adding the milk, but the second try turned out the same consistency (milk was room temp, and I added in small increments, incorporating before I added more) no matter how long I whisk. Does it typically take several minutes for it to get smooth even with a hand mixer, or am I missing something?
Celine says
yes, it can take a while before it reaches a creamy consistency
Victoria says
Hi! If you make the breast milk lotion but not the bars, can you store half in the freezer and pull it out when needed?
Celine says
Hi Victoria, Yes, you can. You will have to stir or shake before use, because it might separate a little bit.
Amanda Theurich says
When it says to store in fridge for 5 days, does that mean it expires after or that it can be left out of fridge after?
Celine Logan says
Hi Amanda, no unfortunately not. I guess it should say for up to 5 days. This lotion is quite perishable.
Macie Walker says
I made the regular lotion and loved it, i put it in the fridge that night, went to use it the next morning and it solid! Is this normal? and do i just need to leave it out for a while? or did i use too much of something.
Celine says
Hi Macie, if you leave it at room temperature for a while or warm it in between the palms of your hands it should turn back to regualr. let me know how it goes.