You have spent quality time pumping and storing breast milk; after every meal, your baby has some remnants left and you are wondering, what to do with leftover breast milk.
If you’re in this situation, instead of throwing out the remnants all the time, can’t I use my breast milk for other useful things? Indeed you can.
There are lots of valuable ways you utilize your leftover breast milk instead of throwing it out. If you are stuck on ideas on what to do with it, I have penned down lots of ideas on what to do with leftover breast milk that you can pick from.
As a bonus, I also included some tips on breast milk storage guidelines. So let’s get started first on some important information on breastfeeding.
Do’s and Don’t Of Storing Breast Milk
There are several things to take note of when storing breast milk and the following are some of the Dos and Don’ts for storing breast milk, properly.
1. When breast milk is at the counter, it should not be exposed to temperatures above 77F.
2. Use food-safe containers, specially prepared for storing breast milk.
3. Do not use a disposable bag for storing milk.
4. Use the oldest stored breast milk.
5. Do not microwave frozen breast milk to warm it.
6. Keep all storage utensils clean and sterile.
7. Do not refreeze already thawed breast milk
8. Do not use plastic containers with a label on the back
9. It is preferable not to add freshly pumped milk to previously-stored milk.
10. Encourage your baby to suck as much as he uses the bottle.
11. Do not freeze already thawed breast milk.
12. When transporting milk, it should be in an insulated container with ice packs.
13. Do not overheat milk.
Why You May Have Some Left Over Breast Milk
Sometimes we have remnants and leftovers of breast milk because of the following reasons
1. The nature of the mother’s diet. The type of food the mother eats can impart the taste of breast milk. Food with strong flavors like garlic, curry, ginger, etc.
The flavors may alter the smell in the breast milk, and this may prevent the baby from sucking. This will lead to leftovers.
2. High lipase content. Lipase can alter the smell of breast milk a bit when the milk is frozen. The smell may make a baby refuse breast milk
3. You may have leftover breast milk if after weaning, you still have some stored breast milk in the freezer
4. If you mistakenly thawed frozen excess milk for feeding the baby, the remnant will be leftover.
5. If the baby did not finish the bottle after a meal, you will have leftover breast milk.
Why Do You Need Alternative Uses For Breast Milk?
Pumping breast milk is not a very simple routine. It takes time to grasp how to do it and for one who is a starter in using a breast pump, it could be frustrating at first.
Now imagine all the work done of washing bottles and pumping parts, sterilizing, and several rounds of pumping to get a reasonable amount of breast milk for storage and doing this, again and again, every day.
Discarding leftover milk when your baby is satisfied will be frustrating when you think of the time spent and the work done to pump the milk.
Hence the need for alternatives on what to do with leftover breast milk. These alternatives will make the leftover breast milk beneficial for other purposes apart from feeding the baby.
What Types Of Breast Milk Are Undrinkable?
At some point, leftover breast milk becomes undrinkable to your child. And you need to understand what to do with leftover breast milk that is undrinkable.
But before that, you may be wondering what undrinkable breast milk means, let’s get into it. Undrinkable breast milk is one that you can no longer feed your baby with.
It could still contain essential nutrients and has health benefits but it’s not safe for consumption for your infant. These are the type of milk that is unsafe for your baby to consume::
1. Breast milk stored in the freezer for more than 6 months
2. Breast milk with high lipase content
3. Remnant of thawed breast milk that has been kept in the fridge for more than 3 days
4. The remnant milk left after bottle-feeding.
Reasons Why You Can’t Use These Kinds Of Milk
When breast milk becomes undrinkable or falls into the above named category, the following reasons are why you can’t use these kinds of milk for your infant:
1. Breast milk that is frozen for more than 6 months is no longer safe for consumption by the baby. According to the Centre for Disease Control, such breast milk is past the safe consumption window, for an infant.
2. Breast Milk with high lipase content may taste off and the baby not be enjoying it.
3. Remnant milk after bottle-feeding, leftover breast milk that is kept in the fridge could get contaminated with bacteria and become unsafe for your baby.
Useful Ways And Alternatives To Use Leftover Breast Milk
While you may think leftover breastmilk is useless, there are a lot of other alternative uses for them that may have not crossed your mind.
In this section, I will be listing some helpful ideas on what to do with leftover breast milk besides feeding your baby in order for it to not waste. Read on to get some of these tips.
1. Donate The Milk
This is a great option that comes to mind when finding clues on what to do with leftover breast milk. Donating breast milk is super useful to those infants whose mothers can’t produce milk, because for one or two reasons.
It could also be useful for young infants who are orphans. So if you want to donate your leftover breast milk check out the breast milk banks that are available.
I would also advise that you do a bit of research to know what donating milk entails. As most of the official breast milk banks have strict policies they follow for breast milk donation, to ensure that the milk is safe.
You may not qualify for donation if you have not followed these guidelines. For example, if your breast milk has passed 6 months stored in the freezer, your breast milk cannot be donated.
However, apart from the official breast milk organizations, there are other not-so-strict breast milk donation centers you may be able to donate your milk to like community-based milk sharing organizations, private donation organizations.
You can also search on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms for Facebook groups involved in breast milk donation. While you intend to donate your breast milk, be sure that it was pumped clean.
If you feel the breast milk has stayed too long and is not safe for consumption you can think of another creative way of what to do with leftover breast milk let’s see another.
2. Make A Piece Of Jewelry Out Of It
This is one of the alternatives of what to do with leftover breast milk you should consider if you’re sentimental like me.
Since breast milk is liquid gold, you may want to make it into a piece of special jewelry or keepsake to remember your breastfeeding journey with a particular child.
Sadly I did not store much leftover breast milk after breastfeeding, if I had known of this tip beforehand, I could have used my breast milk to make jewelry.
This is because I had a rocky breastfeeding experience at the start of my breastfeeding journey. Well, in future pregnancies it is going to be something I would consider.
You do not need bags of stored breast milk to make jewelry, all you need are a few ounces of breast milk and you can have beautiful jewelry made. Companies such as “Made with love”, “ keepsakes” specialize in using stored breast milk as jewelry.
You can check them out. Of course, you would need to follow some guidelines as proper packing for shipping and it may take a few weeks before you get it.
As an alternative, can get a DIY breast milk jewelry kit and make the jewelry yourself.
3. Sell The Milk
Selling breast milk is a great idea of what to do with leftover breast milk. This can give you some added cash if you have breast milk under the appropriate condition given by organizations that buy breast milk.
As I stated in the point you donate breast milk. These breast milk companies have strict policies, regarding breast milk, they accept it for sale and will only buy from those vendors who have passed their requirements.
If you are eligible, go ahead and apply on sites like “Only the breast” which is specialized in buying and selling breast milk. This site is on the Crag list.
I would advise that you do your research and sample different sites so you find the one that is suitable for you. So that you do not put yourself at risk in the future.
4. Make A Breast Milk Lotion
If you are stuck thinking about what to do with leftover breast milk, have you considered making a breast milk lotion out of it? Cool right?
Milk has always been good for the skin and that includes breast milk. If you will be comfortable using it, here are some things to take into consideration.
It is going to be so nice on the skin because breast milk contains tons of nutrients and breast milk is also a natural skin softener.
Instead of buying those lotions, that are packed full of synthetic and bleaching chemicals, you can make an organic breast milk lotion with the base from breast milk for you and your baby.
If you make a big jar, it can keep in the fridge for about 3 months.
5. Use For Diaper Rash
Breast milk has anti-infective properties and a ton of nutrients that are helpful for the skin. Breast milk can work wonders. If your baby has some diaper rash and you do not have any diaper rash cream at hand.
You may be wondering what to do with leftover breast milk after feeding, simply take the remnants, apply a few drops on your palm, and rub them on the baby’s bum, concentrating on those areas where there are diaper rashes.
It would help a lot. Note that the sugar in breast milk may stimulate the growth of yeast infection because yeast grows more with sugar. Also, note that constant usage of breast milk as a diaper rash cream is not the point here.
It can only substitute diaper rash creams only if you do not get one handy. If your baby has diaper rashes, it is best to see your baby doctor for a prescription for the right diaper rash cream to buy.
6. Treatment Of Sore Nipples
The anti-infective properties of breast milk make it useful in the treatment of sore and cracked nipples. This indeed worked for me when I was breastfeeding.
Applying a few drops of breast milk, after feeding my baby was a trick my sore nipples, healed. Doing this and applying ointments works a great deal also.
So, I suggest adding it to your suggestion box of what to do with leftover breast milk.
7. Make A Yogurt
Yogurt is a great meal for kids, and probiotics are super useful for babies. So, this is one idea I would recommend adding on your list of what to do with leftover breast milk.
Making breast milk and yogurt combo will be super great because breast milk offers a lot of nutritional value to babies so you are assured of preparing a healthy meal for your kids.
If you wonder what to do with your warmed leftover breast milk, you can simply put it back on the heat and boil for a few minutes, then allow it to cool down.
Take a tablespoon or two of live yogurt culture and add to the already cooked breast milk, stir and leave it in a warm place for 6-8 hours to thicken.
This could be a great complimentary meal for your infant if you do not want to feed him breast milk directly.
8. For Minor Cuts Or Bruises
The antibody in breast milk (immunoglobulin A) can help to protect wounds from germs and stimulate healing. So, you should definitely consider treatment if you’re looking for what to do with leftover breast milk.
Apply some drops of leftover breast milk after feeding and apply it to the spot this will help reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and stimulate healing.
This only works for minor cuts. A deep cut should be taken to the hospital for proper treatments.
9. For Making Milk Soap
There are a lot of milk soaps from manufacturers out there, however, non could be precious as your very own breast milk soap.
We have listed how breast milk contains nutrients healing properties, and it’s softer the skin. As a woman and mother, it goes without saying that this is a great alternative on what to do with leftover breast milk.
It could be very useful in making a milk bath soap then. The sweet thing about this is that you can do it in the comfort of your home.
So the next time you are thinking of ideas on what to do with leftover breast milk, type “How To Make DIY Soaps on YouTube. You will get tons of methods that are very easy to follow and you will be glad you did.
10. Use It To Fertilize Your Plants
The numerous nutrient found in breast milk can be put to a good which you can use to fertilize your garden soil, if you are thinking of what to do with leftover breast milk.
Simply get a spritz bottle, pour the breast milk in the bottle and spritz it over the soil (you can also use a watering can to do this).
This will impact added minerals and nutrients to the soil & you will sell your plants blooming in no time.
11. Use It For Breast Milk Lotion
This is another great tip to try out if you are finding out what to do with leftover breast milk, use It to make a skincare lotion to help hydrate and moisturize you and your baby’s skin.
You can even make it yourself, just Google up the keyword “How to use breast milk to make breast milk lotion you will get tons of samples to try out.
As always since this lotion is organic, it is best to store in the fridge for at most 3 months.
12. Use It To Make A Popsicle
Heard of the trending word ”momsicles” among moms? It’s popsicles made with breast milk. Take your leftover breast milk, add a cup or two to the blender, add your choice fruit like bananas or blueberries, and blend.
You may decide to add in flavor or a little sugar to sweeten it then pour it into the popsicle mold and freeze. You and your kids can always enjoy this treat packed with vital nutrients.
13. Use It For Baby Bath
I keep going on and on about how breast milk can help make the skin soft and supple. It is not just talking; breast milk truly does wonders, to the skin.
If you are finding what to do with leftover breast milk, another way you can use breast milk for the skin is for a bath. Just fill-up the bathtub with some water and add some cups of breast milk into the water.
You can soak in just like that or you may want to add some drops of essential oils. Soaking in for 10-15 minutes, rinse off the water and towel dry, and feel how supple your skin has become.
14. Use It For Cooking
There are so many recipes that require milk. How about you use breast milk for them instead? If you do not want to use it for the whole house you can try it for recipes for your infant.
Whenever he starts taking complementary meals you can add it to his cereals, smoothies, toast, salads, puddings, etc.
I personally believe this is one of the best answers on what to do with leftover breast milk.
15. Use It To Help Stop Cradle Cap
If you’ve ever noticed those whitish or yellowish waxy substances that fall out of the baby’s hair.
It’s called a cradle cap, and it can be treated using breast milk because breast milk has anti-infective properties and help to rejuvenate the skin.
So if you are thinking of what to do with leftover breast milk after feeding, simply pour the leftover milk into a bowl and add some water, you can apply it to the head of your baby, to help to soften his hair.
Do this every other day a week. With time, you will notice that the cradle cap has eared off.
16. Treating Ear Infections
Babies and toddlers may be prone to ear infections because their immunity is not developed as ours, also, there is increased antibiotic resistance at this age.
Because of the anti-infective properties of breast milk, breast milk has been said to help in treating ear infections and relieving pains. Applying a few drops of breast milk into the ear may work wonders.
There are no adequate scientific facts to back this up, and you may want to see your doctor before going this route.
17. For Teenage Acne
Since breast milk has a lot of beneficial roles it plays on the skin, you may want to keep it handy as a remedy for any skin problems. Breast milk is used for the treatment of Acne.
If you have a teenager who is dealing with acne issues, tell him how breast milk can help sort the issues. If he doubts, you both should make a bet.
He would try it for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement then, you owe him something. But if it works, he will have to keep using this remedy until the pimples are all cleared up.
If he uses it every other day, he would see that the pimples will clear up.
18. Use It As A Remedy For Insect Bites & Sunburn
Did you all go out to the woods for nature seeking and your kids come back crying from headaches of the sunburn or the insect bites?
Quickly take some stored breast milk, add a little water to it and apply it to the insect bites. The pain would reduce and it could alleviate sunburns, and give soothing relief.
19. For Conjunctivitis
As an ancient Egyptian practice, breast milk was used for the treatment of Conjunctivitis because of its healing properties. Some persons still use it to date when they experience eye irritations.
As amazing as this tip is on the list of what to do with leftover breastmilk, if you want to use breast milk for this purpose, please get approval from your eye doctor.
20. Use It For Cracked Lips
Frozen breast milk in a chair stick can serve as a natural balm when you have cracked lips. It would help moisturize the lips balm, making it soft and supple. This natural breast milk moisturizer can last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Conclusion
Breast Milk is indeed very beneficial, packed full of a lot of nutrients and antibodies. Utilize any of these ideas to put your leftover breast milk to good use.
Feel free to skip any of these tips if you’re uncomfortable with it and if it will affect your health due to medical conditions or prescriptions from the doctor, skip it.
I bet you learned one or two while reading this post? Be a good mom and share with other moms out there for sharing is caring!
