This breast milk lotion recipe is simple, natural, and easy to make at home.
Like many breastfeeding moms, I eventually found myself with small amounts of leftover milk from daycare bottles, a babysitter warming a bottle that didn’t get used, or occasionally leaving milk out too long to store again.
Throwing away breast milk can feel painful. After all the time and effort that goes into pumping or nursing, every ounce feels incredibly valuable.
At one point I started looking for ways to use leftover breast milk , and homemade breast milk lotion quickly became one of my favorite options.
This recipe uses just a few ingredients and takes only a few minutes to prepare.
One thing many breastfeeding parents notice is that breast milk has a rich, creamy texture because it naturally contains fats.
Because of that, some families experiment with using small amounts of extra milk in homemade skincare products.
Breast milk also contains naturally occurring fats, vitamins, and antibodies that support a baby’s development during feeding. Some parents enjoy incorporating it into simple DIY skincare routines as well.
When I was pumping and storing milk, every ounce felt incredibly precious — sometimes even like liquid gold. Making breast milk lotion can be one way to make use of milk that might otherwise go unused.
Quick Breast Milk Lotion Recipe (Copy and Print)
Ingredients
• 3 oz breast milk (room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons beeswax
• a few drops Vitamin E oil
Optional
• a few drops of essential oil for fragrance
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil and beeswax together.
- Stir in Vitamin E oil.
- Slowly whisk in breast milk until emulsified.
- Let cool and thicken before use.
Why Would Anyone Make Breast Milk Lotion?
One thing many breastfeeding parents notice is that breast milk has a rich, creamy texture because it naturally contains fats.
Because of that, some families experiment with using small amounts of extra milk in homemade skincare products.
Breast milk also contains naturally occurring fats, vitamins, and antibodies that support a baby’s development during feeding. Some parents enjoy incorporating it into simple DIY skincare routines as well.
For many breastfeeding moms, breast milk feels incredibly precious — sometimes even like liquid gold. Making breast milk lotion can be one way to make use of milk that might otherwise go unused.
Easy Breast Milk Lotion Recipe
This simple recipe uses natural ingredients along with breast milk to create a gentle lotion you can make at home.
Ingredients
3 oz breast milk (room temperature)
3 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons beeswax
A few drops of Vitamin E oil
Optional: a few drops of essential oil for fragrance
If you’re making this lotion for your baby’s face or as a diaper cream, it’s usually best to leave out the essential oils.
Step 1: Melt the Oils and Beeswax
Combine the coconut oil and beeswax in a microwave-safe measuring cup.
Heat in 15-second increments, stirring between each interval until the mixture has completely melted.
Step 2: Add Vitamin E Oil
Once the oils and beeswax have melted together, stir in a few drops of Vitamin E oil.
Vitamin E is often used in skincare products and may help extend the shelf life of natural lotions.
Step 3: Whisk in the Breast Milk
Slowly pour the room-temperature breast milk into the melted mixture while whisking rapidly.
Continue whisking until the mixture begins to thicken and emulsify into a lotion-like consistency.
Step 4: Let the Lotion Cool
Allow the lotion to cool completely.
As it cools, the mixture will continue to thicken into a smooth, creamy texture.
How to Store Breast Milk Lotion
Store your homemade lotion in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Some parents prefer to store breast milk lotion in the refrigerator to help it stay fresh longer.
If refrigerated, the beeswax may cause the lotion to firm up slightly. Allowing the lotion to sit at room temperature for a few minutes usually softens it again.
Because homemade skincare products do not contain preservatives, it is generally best to use them within a relatively short period of time.
Using Breast Milk Lotion on Baby Skin
Many parents enjoy making breast milk lotion because the ingredients are simple and familiar.
Some families choose to use small amounts of lotion on areas of dry skin or simply as a gentle moisturizer.
As with any skincare product, it’s always a good idea to watch for any signs of irritation and discontinue use if something doesn’t seem to agree with your baby’s skin.
Breast Milk Lotion and Sensitive Skin
Some parents experiment with breast milk lotion when their baby has dry patches or sensitive skin.
Because babies’ skin can react differently to new products, it’s usually best to start with a small amount and see how the skin responds.
If skin concerns persist or become severe, a pediatrician or dermatologist can help provide guidance.
Other Creative Uses for Extra Breast Milk
Once I started looking into it, I realized there are quite a few creative ways parents use extra breast milk that can’t be fed.
Some families try things like:
• breast milk soap
• breast milk baths
• breast milk jewelry
• homemade skincare products
These ideas allow parents to make use of extra milk that might otherwise be discarded.
Breast milk represents an enormous investment of time, energy, and love. Finding creative ways to use leftover milk can feel surprisingly meaningful.
For me, making breast milk lotion felt like a simple way to turn that liquid gold into something useful.
Have You Tried Making Breast Milk Lotion?
If you’ve ever made breast milk lotion or another DIY breast milk project, it can be fun to see how creative parents get with leftover milk.
Sometimes the smallest projects end up being the most satisfying.