Making milk is a super power. I’m convinced. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to feed both of my boys with breastmilk for a year each. Along the way, I’ve also learned some other handy ways to use breastmilk for your family.
Breastmilk has lots of goodies in it that are healing in all sorts of ways. It’s good for healing and soothing, and also great for mixing in when starting solids or introducing new foods since it’s something familiar to baby in both taste and composition. Here are some ways you can make use of any extra milk you might have – just make sure it’s safe to feed!
Popsicles
We love popsicles. They’re a great way to cool down in the summer, and really great for teething. I use these ice pop trays to mix refrigerated breastmilk with any pureed fruits and veggies I have on hand and freeze – too easy!
Mix in to purees
Introducing new foods can be a lot of work for babies’ bellies. As a mama of a baby with lots of belly trouble, it was always helpful for him when I mixed some breastmilk in with new food. It made the taste a little more familiar and always seemed to make it a bit easier for him to digest.
Sunburn
I have a blonde and a redhead. We know sunburn over here. Whenever my boys get a little rosy-cheeked, I put a little breastmilk on a cotton ball and dab it on. It helps to cool their warm skin and soothe any of the little bumps that pop up. TJ actually asks for it!
Diaper rash or Eczema Milk Bath
I have done this more times than I can count. Whenever either of my boys has a diaper rash or when TJ gets an eczema flare in the winter, I put a few ounces of breastmilk in the tub with them to soak after we’re done with their actual baths. It’s so soothing to irritated skin and helps heal any cracking or bleeding, especially with diaper rash. The rashes are always cleared up the next morning!
Teething
Woof. Every mama’s favorite. Cutting teeth is so hard, and finding something to soothe that tooth pain can be so challenging. If I have some extra milk in the fridge, I rub it right on their swollen little gums. It helps because it’s cold and also seems to reduce some of the inflammation. I also use frozen breastmilk in a mesh or silicone feeder for them to suck on, and they’ve both loved that!
Freeze in oral syringes for all the boo boos
This might sound crazy. You might have a husband who refuses to let breastmilk touch his skin (don’t tell him…). You might think it’s going to smell weird. Just trust me on this. I use these oral syringes with a cap to freeze it in tiny amounts that are easy to use for one little boo boo.
If you have a cut, a burn, a splinter, a stye, you name it. Put breastmilk on it. Think of the dad in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” with Windex. But make it breastmilk. You’re welcome.
I hope you and your family find some of these tips helpful! Be sure to pin this post to refer back to later, too!
xo, Stephanie
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