How to make breast milk soap

As more parents seek natural and nourishing products for their little ones, the concept of breast milk soap has gained popularity. You might be a new mom, looking to preserve the abundance of precious breast milk that you have, or perhaps you’re on a quest to create gentle skincare options for your baby’s delicate skin. Whatever the motivation, discovering how to make breast milk soap can be a rewarding endeavor that reflects your dedication to your child’s health and wellness. Let’s dive into the method and ingredients needed to create this unique and beneficial soap.

To make breast milk soap, you need to combine breast milk with oils, lye, and essential ingredients while following a specific process for saponification.

To craft your own breast milk soap, you’ll want to start by gathering the necessary ingredients and tools. Here’s a basic recipe to guide you through the process:

### Ingredients:

– 5 oz (about 150 ml) of breast milk (frozen or fresh)

– 10 oz (about 280 ml) of base oils (a combination of olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil is popular)

– 4 oz (about 113 g) of lye (sodium hydroxide)

– Optional: Essential oils for fragrance (like lavender or chamomile) and natural colorants.

### Tools:

– Measuring cups and spoons

– A digital scale

– A blender or stick blender

– A heat-safe container (for lye)

– A large stainless steel or glass mixing bowl

– Soap mold

– Safety gear (gloves and goggles)

### Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure your work area is clean and free from distractions. Since you’ll be working with lye, it’s vital to wear gloves and goggles for protection.

2. Mix the Lye and Breast Milk: In a heat-safe container, carefully mix the lye with breast milk. It’s essential to use breast milk that has been frozen and thawed in order to retain its nutrients and avoid curdling. Stir carefully until the lye is completely dissolved. This mixture will heat up, so allow it to cool down to around room temperature.

3. Heat the Oils: In a separate bowl, gently heat your chosen oils until they are melted and combined. You can do this on a stovetop or in the microwave, ensuring they reach a temperature similar to the lye mixture (around 100-110°F).

4. Blend the Mixtures: Once both the lye-breast milk mixture and the oils are at similar temperatures, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils while blending with a stick blender. Blend until it reaches a light trace–this is where the mixture thickens and leaves a trail when drizzled on the surface.

5. Add Extras: If desired, you can mix in essential oils for fragrance or colorants at this stage. Blend again to incorporate evenly.

6. Pour into Molds: Carefully pour the soap mixture into your soap mold, smoothing the top with a spatula.

7. Cure the Soap: Cover the mold with a towel to insulate it, allowing the soap to remain warm as it goes through saponification. After 24-48 hours, you can unmold the soap and cut it into bars. Allow the soap to cure in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks before using it to ensure that all lye is neutralized.

By following these steps, you can create a unique and nurturing product that is perfect for caring for your baby’s skin, while also making good use of any extra breast milk you might have. Happy soap making!