Homemade Breast Milk Lotion Recipe

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Have you ever found a few ounces of breast milk tucked away in the freezer and wondered what to do with it? That’s exactly what happened to me!

After breastfeeding my three boys, I know just how much work goes into every ounce of breast milk. So when I came across some leftover milk while cleaning out our freezer, I started looking into different ways moms were using theirs.

That’s when I came across the idea of homemade breast milk lotion.

I was happy with how my homemade lotion turned out, so I wanted to share my experience, along with some important things I’ve learned since about making and storing DIY skincare products containing breast milk.

Below you’ll find my original breast milk lotion recipe, the ingredients I used, and a few things to consider before making your own.

What Is Breast Milk Lotion?

Breast milk lotion is a homemade skincare mixture that combines expressed breast milk with ingredients such as oils and beeswax to create a lotion-like consistency.

You may have seen other moms sharing DIY breast milk lotion recipes online as a creative way to use leftover breast milk.

Unlike store-bought lotions, homemade recipes containing breast milk don’t automatically have the preservatives needed to prevent bacteria and mold from growing. That’s something important to understand, especially if you’re thinking about using the mixture on yourself or your baby.

In this post, I’m sharing the original recipe I experimented with and what I learned along the way.

Ingredients for Homemade Breast Milk Lotion

One of the things I liked about making my own breast milk lotion was that I only needed a few simple ingredients.

Here’s what I used in my original recipe:

• Breast milk: The main ingredient in this homemade lotion. I used leftover breast milk that I had stored in my freezer.
• Beeswax: Helps thicken the mixture and gives it a more lotion-like consistency.
• Oil: Helps combine the ingredients and gives the finished mixture a smoother texture.
• Vitamin E oil: An optional ingredient often added to homemade skincare recipes. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, but it does not prevent bacteria or mold from growing in the lotion.

You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

A quick note about homemade breast milk lotion: This is the original DIY recipe I experimented with and am sharing from my personal experience. Because breast milk contains water and homemade mixtures can grow bacteria or mold without proper preservation, this recipe hasn’t been established as safe for skin application or storage. Vitamin E oil is not a preservative, and refrigeration alone doesn’t make an unpreserved lotion safe.

How I Made Homemade Breast Milk Lotion

When I first came across the idea of making breast milk lotion, I was surprised by how few ingredients it called for. I already had most of what I needed at home, so I decided to give it a try!

For my original batch, I combined breast milk, beeswax, and oil to create a homemade lotion-like mixture.

I started by gently melting the beeswax with the oil. Once the mixture had cooled, I added the breast milk and mixed everything together until it reached a creamy consistency.

I was happy with how my batch turned out, especially since it was my first time trying something like this.

You can find the original ingredients, measurements, and method in the recipe card below.

Important: I’m sharing this as a personal DIY lotion, not a tested skincare formula. Because breast milk contains water, this mixture can support bacterial and mold growth without an appropriate preservation system.

Breast Milk Lotion Recipe

Breast Milk Lotion

Yield: 1/4 cup

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Additional Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes

Breast milk lotion recipe made with a few simple ingredients.

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Ingredients

• 1 Tbls of beeswax or grass fed beef tallow
• 3 oz of the oil of your choice. Coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or olive oil.
• 6 drops of vitamin E oil
• 3 oz of room temperature breast milk
• 10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice. (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt the beef tallow or beeswax and your choice of oil in the double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, add 2 cups of water to a small sauce pan and heat to a light simmer on low heat. Place a glass bowl on top of the pot and then add the tallow or beeswax and oil to the glass bowl to melt.
2. Remove the double boiler or glass bowl from the heat and wait for it to cool down to room temperature.
3. Once tallow or beeswax and oil are room temp add six drops of vitamin E oil while whisking mixture.
4. Slowly pour the breast milk into the mixture while whisking everything together.
5. Add your choice of essential oil (if desired) at this time and continue to whisk everything well.
6. Once all ingredients are mixed well, pour into a glass jar for storing. The lotion will continue to solidify as it cools.

Notes

Two great choices of essential oils to use, if you choose, are lavender and frankincense.

Store this lotion in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

Recommended Products

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• Beeswax

Tips & Troubleshooting for Making Breast Milk Lotion

When I first made this breast milk lotion, I learned that getting the right consistency can be a little tricky. Since breast milk and oils don’t naturally stay mixed together, the texture can vary from batch to batch.

Here are a few things worth knowing about the ingredients and how they work together.

Why Does Homemade Breast Milk Lotion Separate?

Breast milk contains water, while ingredients like coconut oil and beeswax are oil-based. Water and oil don’t naturally mix, which means the mixture can separate over time.

A proper emulsifier is generally needed to help water-based and oil-based ingredients stay combined.

Why Is My Breast Milk Lotion Too Thick?

Beeswax helps thicken homemade mixtures as they cool. The amount of beeswax used, along with the type of oil, can affect how thick or firm the finished mixture becomes.

Why Is My Breast Milk Lotion Too Runny?

A runny consistency can happen when there’s more liquid than the wax and oils can hold together. Temperature and mixing methods can also affect the texture.

What If My Homemade Breast Milk Lotion Changes Color or Smell?

Changes in color, smell, or texture can be signs that a homemade mixture has deteriorated or become contaminated. If you notice changes in your homemade mixture, discard it.

Why I Wanted to Make Breast Milk Lotion

After breastfeeding my three boys, I know how much time and effort goes into pumping and storing breast milk. Throwing away even a few ounces can be hard!

One day, while cleaning out our freezer to make room for our yearly beef order, I came across some leftover breast milk. Instead of throwing it away, I started looking into creative ways other moms were using theirs.

That’s when I came across the idea of making homemade breast milk lotion.

I decided to give it a try, and I was really happy with how my batch turned out! I thought it would be fun to share my experience here on the blog.

Since making it, I’ve also learned more about the importance of properly preserving homemade skincare products, especially those containing breast milk. So along with sharing my original recipe, I want to include a few things worth knowing before trying a project like this yourself.

Important Safety and Storage Tips for Homemade Breast Milk Lotion

One thing I’ve learned since making my original breast milk lotion is that homemade skincare products containing breast milk need a little extra consideration.

Breast milk contains water, and when it’s mixed with oils and other ingredients, bacteria and mold can grow if the mixture isn’t properly preserved.

Here are a few things worth knowing:

• Vitamin E isn’t a preservative. While it’s commonly used in homemade skincare recipes, it doesn’t prevent bacteria or mold from growing.
• Refrigeration doesn’t guarantee safety. Keeping homemade lotion cold may slow bacterial growth, but it doesn’t make an unpreserved mixture safe or give it a reliable shelf life.
• Clean containers are important, but they’re not enough. Even when you use clean jars and utensils, bacteria can still grow in the finished mixture.
• There’s no established safe storage time for this recipe. Without proper preservation and testing, I can’t recommend keeping it at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a certain number of days.

I really enjoyed making this homemade breast milk lotion recipe, but I also want to share what I’ve learned since then.

This is my personal experience with DIY breast milk lotion and is not a tested skincare recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Milk Lotion

How long does homemade breast milk lotion last?

There isn’t an established safe shelf life for homemade breast milk lotion made without a tested preservation system. Because breast milk contains water, bacteria and mold can grow in the mixture, even if it looks and smells fine. I can’t recommend a specific number of days or weeks for storing my original recipe.

Does homemade breast milk lotion need to be refrigerated?

Refrigeration may slow bacterial growth, but it doesn’t make homemade breast milk lotion safe to store or use without proper preservation. Even when kept in the refrigerator, an unpreserved mixture can become contaminated.

Can breast milk lotion help with eczema or diaper rash?

You may have seen breast milk mentioned as a home remedy for different skin concerns, but that doesn’t mean homemade breast milk lotion is a proven treatment. My original recipe hasn’t been tested for treating eczema, diaper rash, or other skin conditions. For these concerns, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider about appropriate skincare options.

Can I use frozen breast milk to make lotion?

I used leftover frozen breast milk when I made my original recipe. However, freezing breast milk doesn’t sterilize it or make a homemade lotion safe for skin application. Once breast milk is mixed with other ingredients, its storage and safety requirements are different from those for breast milk intended for feeding.

Does vitamin E oil preserve homemade breast milk lotion?

No. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help slow the oxidation of certain oils, but it isn’t an antimicrobial preservative. It won’t prevent bacteria, yeast, or mold from growing in a lotion containing breast milk.

Can I make breast milk lotion without beeswax?

Beeswax helps give my original recipe its thicker consistency. You can find other DIY recipes that use different ingredients, but changing or removing beeswax doesn’t solve the preservation concerns associated with adding breast milk to homemade skincare products.

Can I use breast milk lotion on my baby?

My homemade breast milk lotion recipe hasn’t been tested for safety or proper preservation. If you’re looking for a lotion for your baby’s skin, it’s best to choose a product specifically formulated for infants or ask your pediatrician for recommendations.

Final Thoughts on Homemade Breast Milk Lotion

Making my own breast milk lotion was a fun little DIY project, and I’m glad I gave it a try!

As a mom who has breastfed all three of my boys, I know how precious every ounce of breast milk can feel. Finding a creative way to use some of my leftover milk was something I enjoyed experimenting with.

If you’re interested in making more of your own products at home, I hope you’ll stick around and check out some of my other simple DIY ideas here on the blog.

Have you ever tried making something with leftover breast milk? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

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