Breastmilk: The Gift Of Liquid Gold
Many of us are familiar with the expression “breast is best” — and for good reason. It’s because of the myriad benefits of breast milk that are simply impossible to reproduce in formula. The overall benefit of feeding babies breast milk instead of formula has been well established — breast milk provides babies with a variety of antibodies to boost their immune system, develop their brain, and resist illness.
Photo by Nikolai Chernichenko on Unsplash.
Surprising benefits beyond feeding
Yet there are many benefits of breast milk that are unexpected — quirky, useful, sometimes even charming. Most mums producing breast milk find themselves with surplus from time to time, and the uses below are gentle reminders that “liquid gold” earns its nickname well beyond the feed itself.
Breast milk earns its “liquid gold” nickname many times over — it nourishes the baby, soothes the skin, eases hurts, and even doubles as keepsake material.
Seven creative ways mums use breastmilk
Pain relief
The endorphins in breast milk can actually reduce pain felt by your child — so nurse away anytime your little one gets hurt. It works both as comfort and as mild pharmacology, all at once.
For cuts & scrapes
Breast milk is actually a natural antiseptic — it can be used to soothe and promote healing of cuts and scrapes. If you are out and about and someone gets hurt, use breast milk to clean out the wound when you don’t have access to another cleansing agent.
Adult acne
Use a mixture of breast milk and coconut oil on a cotton ball to help clear up acne in teens and adults. The lauric acid in breast milk has antibacterial properties that target the bacteria implicated in acne breakouts.
Make-up removal
Use breast milk on a cotton ball or pad to remove make-up and soften skin. Surprisingly effective for stubborn mascara and waterproof formulations, and far gentler than commercial removers.
Coffee creamer
It’s milk. It’s sweet. It’s sweet milk for your coffee! A small whimsical use of surplus supply — though we’d still suggest oat milk or dairy in most cases.
Keepsake necklaces
Memorialise your nursing years into a piece of jewellery. There are makers who turn breast milk into a plastic-like substance by solidifying the casein content — a quietly meaningful keepsake of your feeding chapter.
Homemade soap
Milk is touted as an ideal ingredient for skin care products because it contains essential proteins, amino acids, and vitamin A, which nourish skin. Milk is also rich in lactic acid, which cleanses and softens — soap made from breast milk is gentle enough for newborn skin and lovely for mum, too.