What To Do With Expired Breast Milk

Pumping breast milk is one of the most rewarding, and sometimes exhausting, experiences for any parent. It truly is a labor of love, and that liquid gold you express is full of antibodies, nutrients, and care that can keep your baby nourished. The only bad part? Even liquid gold has an expiration date!

Whether you’re dealing with time limits at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, it’s easy to feel like you’re wasting something so valuable once it’s expired. But STOP before you throw it in the trash, just hold on a minute. Just because your breastmilk has expired, doesn’t mean it’s useless!

In fact, there are so many ways that you can still put that liquid gold to work. So, in this post, I’m going to share a few brilliant ideas on what you can do with expired breast milk. After all, none of us want to see all your effort go to waste, and that liquid gold is still incredibly useful!

Ready to make the most out of your milk stash?

What To Do With Expired Breast Milk

Use it as skin care.

Expired breast milk is absolutely packed with natural oils and vitamins, making it great for skin conditioning, especially for sensitive skin. It can help with diaper rash, dry skin, baby acne, cradle cap, and even sore eyes! You can even use it on yourself!

Just dab a small amount on the irritated skin or use it as a gentle mask on the affected areas. It moisturizes skin, reduces inflammation, and fights bacteria.

Make baby wipes solution.

Did you know that you can create a gentle, chemical-free wipe solution for your baby’s skin using expired breastmilk? All you need to do is mix ½ cup of breast milk with warm water and a little coconut oil. You can then store it in a spray bottle or soak reusable wipes in it. This is an awesome way to hydrate, nourish, and protect your little one from diaper rash!

Make handmade soap.

Okay, I get it, this one is a little hard, especially with a new baby. BUT, if you freeze your milk ahead of time, you can do this quite a while down the road. Expired breast milk is perfect for making breast milk soap as a luxurious and natural skin care option. Just replace the water in a cold-process soap recipe with breast milk. You can even add a drop of essential oil. It’s a great way to nourish and hydrate skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

Create a milk bath.

The amazing benefits of breast milk baths can’t be understated. They’re SO good for babies, and better than anything you can find on the market. A relaxing milk bath with expired breast milk can soothe and moisturize your baby’s skin. Just add 1-2 cups to the bathwater, and let your little one enjoy their usual bath routine in it. It gently exfoliates and deeply moisturizes skin. You can also spill it directly into your baby bathtub!

Just freeze it for later.

Too overwhelmed to do anything with your expired breast milk right now? That’s totally normal, don’t worry! Having a baby in the house and figuring out the whole pumping thing can be a hard job. Just freeze the expired milk for future, non-feeding uses like the ones above. You can put it in bags or ice cube trays, keeping the benefits locked in for later.

Reminder that these are amazing options for someone that wants to find alternative methods for throwing it out. But here is your reminder that this milk belongs to YOU. If this feels too stressful, do not feel guilty to spill it down the drain. You need to do what works best for you and your family. 

Order some breast milk jewelry. 

Breast milk jewelry is a really popular way to commemorate your nursing journey. It’s truly beautiful, and can make you feel fulfilled, even when your journey is over. It’s a piece of your life at this time that you can keep forever. It involves turning your breast milk into a beautiful, personalized piece of jewelry, like a necklace, bracelet, ring, or pendant. Personally, I think it’s an absolutely gorgeous way to use any expired milk you may have hanging around. 

And hey, if you’re struggling a little with the whole pumping thing, you should check out The Ultimate Pumping Course. I believe that pumping doesn’t have to be hard, so we’ve made an all-questions-answered course for you to get through at your own pace to make you a pumping superstar in no time. Or if you’re looking for something a little more one-on-one, book a virtual pumping consultation!

How Long Is Breastmilk Good For?

Breast milk is absolutely precious, but even liquid gold has a limited shelf life depending on how it’s stored. Freshly pumped breast milk can be kept at room temp (around 68-77°F or 20-25°C) for up to 4 hours, but really you should try not to leave it out, if possible. Or use something like the OG Breastmilk Chiller (which is seriously the holy grail) so that you can store your breast milk for up to 20 hours with no issue. PS: This milk storage spreadsheet is SUPER handy too!

In the fridge, it can last about 4 to 7 days when stored at or below 40°F (4°C), and in a deep freezer, it can be safely stored for around 6 to 12 months. Then, when thawing frozen milk, you should make sure it’s used within 24 hours and NEVER refrozen.

Just make sure you always remember to label the milk with the date and time of pumping to keep track of its freshness. To check if breast milk has expired, you really have to rely on your senses. Spoilt milk can have a sour smell, unusual texture, or discoloration. If it looks curdled or smells off, it’s time to throw it out. 

While some separation in the fridge is normal, it’s important to just shake the bottle gently to get the fat mixed back in. For the best quality and safety, try to use breast milk within the timeframes above, and always store it in a clean, air-tight container to avoid contamination.

Don’t throw out your liquid gold!

At the end of the day, knowing how to store and properly check the freshness of your breast milk can ensure that not a single drop goes to waste. So, store smart, stay organized, and remember–your liquid gold is still valuable, even when it’s past its prime for feeding.

If you’re dealing with what is considered oversupply of breastmilk, you might find yourself needing to store more than you actually use. And in this case, the ideas above can be an absolute godsend to make sure it all gets used up. No matter what happens, your hard work will no longer go to waste!