There’s a WHOLE heap of reasons why breastmilk is sometimes referred to as ‘liquid gold’. A living, constantly evolving fluid, breastmilk is jam packed with goodness that adapts to meet the ever changing needs of your bub. Science has shown that breastmilk contains millions of live cells per millimetre, including ‘leukocytes’ which can actually protect your baby from infection. Pretty nifty huh?!

If you happen to have a little bit of extra milk stashed away (the Haakaa is FAB for helping create a stash BTW) and are wondering what to do with it, we’ve got you covered. Breastmilk has a whole heap of amazing uses other than ‘just’ feeding your baby.

5 AWESOME uses for breastmilk (other than feeding your baby)

1. Treat nappy rash – Bubba got a red bottom? Breastmilk to the rescue! The potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of booby juice can help soothe red, irritated skin. And you don’t just have to take our word for it. A 2013 study in the journal Pediatric Dermatology found that breastmilk was just as effective as hydro cortisone cream in treating nappy rash! AMAZING! Try dabbing some on the irritated area, let it dry, then apply a barrier cream like Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream.

Product Feature: Haakaa Colostrum Collection Set

2. Sort out a gunky eye – This one is a goodie (and you don’t even need a milk stash to take advantage!) ‘Eye gunk’ is common in newborn and young babies due to their immature tear ducts. A squirt of milk in the corner of the eye can help clear gunk and prevent infection from occurring. Alternatively, you can hand express a little bit of milk and either soak a cotton pad or use a small syringe to apply directly to bubs eye. OR, some research says that Colostrum might be even better for it has a higher concentration of antibodies. More information on expressing colostrum here.

3. Clear a blocked nose – There is NOTHING worse than a snuffly, sniffly newborn. A blocked nose, while super common, can make feeding (and settling) very difficult. Nasal aspiration, where you use either an electric ‘snot sucker’ or bulb syringe to manually remove congestion, can really help. Most methods recommend using saline solution to loosen up mucus before ‘sucking’ but breastmilk works just as well, if not better. Packed with anti-inflammatory benefits (and always available), you can either shoot milk directly into bubs nostril (which, let’s face it, can require some nipple gymnastics), or hand express into a clean cup and use a syringe.

Image credit: @Jodieeeanne_

4. Create a milk bath – #milkbaths are ALL the rage on Instagram. Create something that’s not just pic worthy by adding breastmilk (fresh or frozen) to bubs bath. Breastmilk has been shown to help soothe and treat inflammation caused by eczema and is wonderful for sensitive, irritation prone baby skin.

Product Feature: Haakaa Silicone Breastmilk Bags

5. Turn it into jewellery – Breastmilk jewellery is a gorgeous way to create a keepsake of your breastfeeding journey. Thanks to clever technology, a small amount of expressed milk can be turned into a bead or pendant for you to keep and wear forever.

Want to start building a breastmilk stash? Find out how quick and easy it is to do with the Haakka Silicone Breast Pump. Here at Milkbar we have a wide range of eco-friendly and plastic free options to store and collect breastmilk.

For more breastfeeding resources and blogs, check out our resource section