There is nothing so touching and wonderful, like becoming a new mom and making the choice to breastfeed that little treasure of yours. It gives you a sense of power and happiness, giving life and actually nurturing that newborn through breastfeeding.
In the past, we used to reward new moms with customized or personalized jewelry bearing the name, initials or birthstone of the baby. All this is meant to celebrate that special milestone one has achieved in life; motherhood.
Lately, I have been interested in finding something more fulfilling to celebrate this important stage in my life and finding something worth keeping as a reminder. What I have found is breast milk jewelry.
Now, many may be wondering what is breast milk jewelry?
What is Breast Milk Jewelry?
It is simply expressed or pumped breast milk from a breastfeeding mother. These souvenirs come in the form of various types of jewelry, including rings, pendants, European style beads, and lockets.
The idea of breast milk jewelry is relatively new in the market, but in 2013, these types of unique jewelry were already being made and sold by distinguished Etsy sellers.
Breast milk jewelry can easily be mistaken for an opal. This is probably due to the creamy hue similarity that they both portray. The color may vary since there are those pieces that will have a stronger yellow coloring than the rest, which solely depends on the color of your breast milk. Most jewelry artists will also add shimmer to give these unique types of jewelry a glittery finish.
Why Do Women Want Breast Milk Jewelry?
Breast milk jewelry is just like any other type of special jewelry that a mother wears. Breast milk jewelry generally hold the following meanings;
- Celebrate the physical bonding with your child
One of the many ways a mother bonds with her child is through breastfeeding. It gives the mom a sense of power and fulfillment, and there is no better way to remind yourself of this great achievement than to have a piece of jewelry made from your own breast milk.
- Symbol of struggle, hard work, and perseverance
From the moment you conceive to the time of breastfeeding the newborn, there is so much sacrifice, sleepless nights, and hard work involved. To symbolize this tough journey, most moms will admit that breast milk jewelry holds a special place in their hearts.
- The memory of a lost child during birth:
Then there are the moments no mom actually wishes to endure; breastmilk jewelry is the perfect way to celebrate the memory of your lost hero
Turning Breast Milk into Jewelry
For a mom who wants to turn her breast milk into jewelry, all you have to do is put some breast milk in a clean plastic storage bag and transport it to the jewelry artist. The breast milk is then processed through a process that involves heating at very high temperatures and then cooling the milk to preserve it.
How is Breast Milk Hardened?
Once taken through the heating and cooling process for preservation, it is then mixed with some chemicals. The chemicals alter the structure of the breast milk, hardening it and forming a solid clump.
How Much Milk is Needed to Make Jewelry?
To make a piece of average size jewelry, only two tablespoons of your breast milk is needed. However, according to the preference or design of the jewelry, your artist may advise further.
Where Can You Buy Breast Milk Jewelry?
The best place to get a custom piece of Breast Milk Jewelry is to visit any reputable jeweler near you. You can also buy breast milk jewelry from an online retailer such as Etsy or Indigo Willow who deal with personalized or custom pieces.
However, it is important to note that the best jeweler is one that explains the whole process of making jewelry. Make sure they explain their safety measures to make sure that your breast milk sample is not mixed up. You must exercise caution as advised by the artist to prevent any accidents or loss of your liquid gold.
Does Breast Milk Jewelry Smell?
The condition of breast milk jewelry relies on how well the preservation process is done. If appropriately done, you have nothing to worry about. However, if incorrectly done, the jewelry risks potential bacterial growth, rotting, and discoloration. This means that it will also smell.
Breast Milk Jewelry DIY
If you feel that you want to make your own unique breast milk jewelry, there are breast milk jewelry DIY kits on Etsy and Amazon. They come with instructions on how many ounces to use and how much of the chemicals to use for perseverance.
If you carefully follow the instructions, you will have durable breast milk jewelry to celebrate motherhood. However, if you do not follow the instructions, the jewelry will rot and smell due to the growth of bacteria.
Making Resin Out of Breast Milk.
To make resin out of breast milk, you can simply take a small sample of your breast milk and mix it with some white glue. You can then mold it into your preferred shape and leave it to dry.
Conclusion
If you are like me and want to find a way to celebrate your breastfeeding and/or pumping journey, Breast Milk jewelry is a unique way to preserve this special period in your life. Whether you use a local Jeweler, someone online or a DIY kit, remember to follow instructions to ensure that you receive the best piece of jewelry possible. Breast milk jewelry is unique and I wish you the best on finding that one of a kind piece of Jewelry.