Making your own breast milk lotion is a natural way to utilize the nurturing qualities of breast milk to care for your skin or for your baby’s skin. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make this unique lotion. Remember, as with any homemade skincare product, ensure that you keep everything clean to minimize any risk of contamination.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
To make breast milk lotion, you will need the following ingredients:
- Breast milk (2 ounces)
- Coconut oil (2 tablespoons)
- Grated beeswax or beeswax pellets (1 tablespoon)
- Extra-virgin olive oil or almond oil (2 tablespoons)
- Vitamin E oil (optional, a few drops for its preservative properties)
- Essential oils for fragrance (optional and should be avoided for newborns)
Step 2: Sterilize Utensils and Containers
It’s important to sterilize all the equipment and containers you will be using to prevent bacterial growth.
- Wash all of your equipment and containers with soap and hot water.
- Boil the containers and utensils for a few minutes or use a sterilizer if available.
- Make sure to let everything dry completely before use.
Step 3: Melt the Oils and Beeswax
Using a double boiler, gently melt the coconut oil and beeswax.
- Fill the bottom pan of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer.
- Put the beeswax and coconut oil in the top pan and allow them to melt completely, stirring occasionally.
- Once melted, add the olive oil or almond oil and mix well.
Step 4: Combine Melted Oils with Breast Milk
Once the oil and beeswax mixture has melted and combined, remove it from the heat.
- Gradually add in the breast milk while stirring constantly.
- If you’re using Vitamin E oil, add it to the mixture now.
- Continue to stir until the mixture is completely homogeneous.
Step 5: Blend the Mixture
To ensure a smooth consistency, blending the mixture is key.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender, or use an immersion blender if available.
- Blend until you notice a lotion-like consistency and everything is well combined.
- If the mixture begins to separate, continue blending until it’s emulsified.
Step 6: Add Optional Essential Oils
If you wish to add essential oils for fragrance, do so at this point.
- Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil and blend to incorporate.
- Remember to choose essential oils that are safe for use on the skin, especially if the lotion will be used on a baby.
Step 7: Transfer to Containers
Immediately after blending to the correct consistency, transfer your lotion into your sterilized containers.
- Pour the lotion into the containers while still in liquid form.
- Use a spatula to scrape out all the lotion from the blender.
Step 8: Let the Lotion Cool
Leave your filled containers open until the lotion cools to room temperature.
- Avoid putting lids on while the lotion is still warm to prevent condensation.
- Placing them in a cool, dry place helps the lotion set without separating.
Step 9: Store Properly
Once the lotion has set and cooled, put the lids on your containers.
- Label the lotion with the date it was made.
- Store in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator to extend shelf life.
- Use the lotion within a few weeks to ensure freshness. The absence of preservatives means it won’t last as long as commercial lotions.
Conclusion
Making breast milk lotion can be a rewarding process, especially for mothers looking to use natural ingredients on their baby’s delicate skin. Following these steps will ensure that you create a safe and nurturing product. Remember, this lotion does not contain preservatives found in commercial products, so it should be made in small batches and used relatively quickly.
As with any new skincare product, before applying broadly, test a small amount on the skin to ensure there are no adverse reactions and consult with a pediatrician or a dermatologist if you have any concerns, especially when using on infants.