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If you’ve breastfed for any time at all – or are preparing to breastfeed in the not-too-distant future – you will, no doubt, know much about the wonders of breast milk.
It is quite the miracle liquid. Not only is it packed with nutrients and antibodies, but it continually adjusts to meet the needs of your every growing baby. On hot days, it becomes more watery to ensure bub is extra-hydrated and used topically, advocates say a couple of squirts can help as a decongestant or to help treat ear, eye and sinus infections.
But wait! There’s more!
And if that’s not enough, you can use breast milk to make a simple lotion that can be applied to baby’s skin to help clear up eczema, baby acne, nappy rash as well as cuts and scrapes. Because the lotion is made from totally natural ingredients – your breast milk being the main one, of course – it’s lovely and gentle on sensitive skin. So give it a try.
Breast milk lotion recipe
Ingredients
- 100 ml grapeseed oil
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- Few drops of Vitamin E oil
- 100 ml fresh breast milk, at room temperature
- Optional: a couple of drops of an essential oil for scent
Method
With the microwave set on Low, heat the oil and beeswax together until the beeswax has just melted – this will take about 3 minutes. Add the Vitamin E oil.
Slowly pour in the breast milk while whisking the oil mixture rapidly. The mixture should emulsify and thicken.
Leave to cool before using. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Lotion storage tips
- Store in a sealed container in a dark cool place. Beeswax reacts to light so will discolour if left out in a well-lit area.
- You can store the lotion in the fridge but it will harden because of the beeswax. If you do want to store it in the fridge, allow it to come back to room temperature before using.
- Store lotion away from any type of heat source – beeswax is easily combustible.
- Avoid storing in the freezer as this will alter its texture as it defrosts.
- Can be used for up to 3 months.
A note on baby eczema
Because eczema can be caused by many reasons, test plain breast milk on your baby’s skin, particularly on the face, for a reaction before using the lotion. If your baby’s eczema is caused by a dairy sensitivity, breast milk that contains dairy may cause a reaction.