Before you throw out all of that breast milk you worked so hard for, WAIT! If you find yourself having a surplus of extra milk, there are things you can do with it other than pouring it down the drain. I’ve used almost all of these ideas myself and plan to try more! If you are wondering what to do with extra breast milk, read on for 12 different ways to repurpose that liquid gold!
Reasons You May Have Extra Breast Milk
There are a few different reasons you may have extra milk. Depending upon which reason you have the extra breast milk, will determine what creative way you can repurpose it.
1. Oversupply
Some women produce a significantly higher amount of breast milk than their baby requires. This can be naturally occurring for some mothers’ milk supply, a medical condition, or a cause of too much stimulation/pumping early postpartum.
Whatever the reason, these mothers tend to have a lot of leftover breast milk. The overabundance of milk production will leave you with a lot of fresh milk, so there are many options to choose from!
You can try working with a lactation consultant to reduce your supply and make it more manageable. Oversupply may sound nice in theory, but it can actually be quite painful and time-consuming. You don’t have to struggle alone, mama!
2. Freezer Stash Near Expiration
When you put your leftover milk in the freezer, you should include the date it was expressed so you know when it’s best “use by” date is. You may find yourself not using your freezer stash very often if you’re mostly nursing your baby and don’t give many bottles. In this case, you may find yourself with extra breast milk nearing its expiration date in your freezer.
3. Thawed More Milk Than Baby Needed
Sometimes it’s just hard to predict how many ounces your baby is going to want to take that feeding. Or they’re acting like they’re starving and then they suddenly fall asleep and take a good nap. Once the milk has reached room temperature, it must be used within two hours. If you found that you thawed too much and you can no longer use it because it’s expired, don’t toss it!
4. Unfinished Bottle
Similarly to thawing more milk than needed, your baby may not drink their entire bottle and you’re left with extra. Save it and collect it all in a bottle or bag, and make sure you label it as expired!
5. Broken Freezer
If you experience the devastating loss of breast milk from a broken freezer, don’t throw it out! According to the CDC, you CAN refreeze it if there are still ice crystals in the breast milk. If there’s not, (so sorry, mama! I know that was hard work!) mark it as expired and save it.
6. Baby Developed Food Intolerances
I experienced this with my first baby. I collected about 150 ounces before we determined she had a milk and soy allergy and I could no longer use that milk. I was really bummed, but I’ll tell you below what I did with that milk!
The proteins of the foods that baby is allergic to will remain in the mother’s milk supply for a certain time period depending upon the food. So it’s best not to use the milk previously pumped when the mother had those foods in her diet.
7. Baby Won’t Drink It Due to High Lipase
If your baby is rejecting bottles of your thawed frozen breast milk, it may be because you have high lipase. This causes the breast milk to have a soapy or metallic smell and taste to it. There are ways you can prevent this before freezing. But if you have already frozen it before realizing you have high lipase in your milk, there are a few things you can do with it!
If you’re confused about storage guidelines or want a physical reminder you can hang on your fridge, sign up for my FREE breast milk storage guidelines printable below!
What You Can Do with Extra Fresh or Frozen Breast Milk
You can use every one of these creative ideas with your extra fresh or frozen breast milk! However, I have broken it down by fresh/frozen and expired, because you can only do *certain* ideas with expired milk. (Once breast milk is expired, your baby can no longer consume it)
1. Donate
Donation is an incredible way to repurpose your extra breast milk! This is what I did with the extra 150 ounces of breast milk I had that I couldn’t use due to my first baby’s food allergies.
You can contact your local hospitals to see if any NICUs are in need of breast milk for their premature babies. Or you can look into donating to breast milk banks such as the Human Milk Banking Association of North America or Mothers’ Milk Bank.
There are also groups you can find on Facebook locally in your area. These would be considered casual milk sharing. Mothers will post a need for breast milk for their baby and you can respond to exchange. This is done at your own discretion as there are of course risks with taking breast milk from someone whose milk hasn’t been properly screened. But that is an option available to you.
Donating breast milk is an incredible feeling, knowing your body provided amazing nutrition for another little baby out there somewhere!
2. Store It for Later
I wouldn’t recommend getting rid of all of your breast milk completely if your little one is still breastfeeding! Freeze extra breast milk as a backup just in case!
Your supply may dip when you start your period, or your little one may hit a growth spurt and suddenly you can’t keep up with your baby’s needs. Or you may have other reasons for a dip in your supply. Or an emergency where you need to be away from your baby. Or take a medication where you are unable to breastfeed because it will pass through your milk.
There is no set amount you need to have as a backup. This may not be possible for some women, and that’s okay! I just think it’s something you should do if you have the extra breast milk.
These are my favorite plastic bags for storing breast milk. Or this silicone mold if you prefer to freeze in one-ounce increments.
Click to buy Lansinoh storage bags | Click to buy Silicone Mold
3. Breast Milk Popsicles for Teething
Use fresh breast milk to make breast milk popsicles – these were a lifesaver for both of my babies! When they were teething, they LOVED breast milk popsicles. You can purchase or use any popsicle molds and freeze a few to have on hand when your little one is getting a new tooth!
Or if your baby just wants a cool, tasty treat in the hot summer months!
This is the popsicle mold I use because the popsicles are small and the perfect size for babies.
4. Mix in Solid Food or Smoothies
When your baby starts solid foods, you can use breast milk to mix in to make purees or mashes. You can also make breast milk oatmeal, mix in with rice cereal instead of water, or use it as your liquid for smoothies for your older babies and toddlers.
5. Mix into Your Other Children’s Milk
If you have other children at home, you can mix in some of your extra breast milk to their milk if they drink any, such as cow’s milk or goat milk. Especially if they’re sick!
The antibodies in your breast milk can help them fight off any sickness and also provide them with some amazing fatty acids for brain development.
What You Can Do with Expired Breast Milk
Expired breast milk is milk your baby can no longer consume. You can refer to my storage guidelines printable above if there’s any confusion on what would be considered expired milk.
6. Breast Milk Baths
Once you try a breast milk bath for your baby, you will be a believer! As soon as I get my babies out after giving them breast milk baths, their skin is so soft and smooth. This is my favorite use for expired breast milk!
My first baby suffered from eczema and although it wasn’t a cure, it definitely provided her with some relief and her rough patches felt softer.
Pour the breast milk right into your baby’s bath. You don’t need a ton, just enough to make the water cloudy. If you’re using a smaller baby bath, it will be easier to use less breast milk with the water.
They don’t have to be glamorous, but they do also make for some gorgeous photos!
7. Eczema
One study showed breast milk was found to be an equally effective treatment to hydrocortisone cream in infants with moderate eczema. While it’s not a replacement for medical care in more severe cases, it can be beneficial in mild to moderate cases!
You can apply a few drops of breast milk to your baby’s skin and let it dry completely.
8. Diaper Rash
In a study on diaper dermatitis, it was found that human breast milk was just as effective as hydrocortisone 1% ointment alone. And it found human breast milk to be a safe and effective treatment for diaper dermatitis in infants.
If you apply breast milk to the diaper rash, make sure to allow it completely dry before putting a barrier cream over top or before putting on the diaper.
If your baby’s diaper rash appears patchy, shiny, or has small bumps or pus-filled pimples, consult your baby’s pediatrician.
9. Bug Bites & Sunburn
Similar to eczema and diaper rash, the properties of breast milk can be very healing and soothing against insect bites and sunburn as well.
Your breast milk doesn’t have to be just for your baby! You can use it for your other children and yourself as well.
10. Breast Milk Jewelry
Breast milk jewelry can be a beautiful keepsake to remember your breastfeeding journey with your little one. You can find anything from rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more.
This ring and this necklace by MarkyBabyMilkJewelry on Etsy are gorgeous and backed by thousands of raving reviews. Such a beautiful way to cherish special memories with your baby forever!
11. Breast Milk Lotion
Did you know you could make a lotion out of breast milk?! The lotion provides the same healing and moisturizing effects as breast milk alone, but also includes other beneficial ingredients for the skin like vitamin E oil and grapeseed oil.
Apply to any mild skin ailments, dry skin, or eczema! This breast milk lotion recipe by Mama of Five is really easy and detailed!
12. Breast Milk Soap
Just like breast milk lotion, breast milk soap is another way to include the liquid gold in your daily routine! Here is a wonderful DIY breast milk soap recipe from Morgan Manages Mommyhood!
If you’ve found yourself with too much milk, more than your baby regularly consumes, I hope you found some ideas in this post to try out! Let me know in the comments if you choose to do any of these and how your experience was! xo
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