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What to Do with Leftover Breast Milk?

Tire-lait manuel utilisé pour recueillir le lait maternel

You’ve probably poured out a half-finished bottle of breast milk at least once—and felt a twinge of regret doing it. Every drop reflects time, energy, and, above all, love. So how can you avoid waste and make the most of your expressed milk? Let’s explore some simple, safe, and even creative ways to preserve it.

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines

Before thinking about reusing or repurposing breast milk, you need to know how long it stays safe:

At room temperature (68–72°F): Up to 4 hours
In the refrigerator: Up to 4 days
In the freezer, breast milk stays fresh for up to 6 months, but it’s best to use it within 3 months for optimal quality.

Once thawed, you can keep milk in the fridge for up to 24 hours—but never freeze it again. Set a two-hour limit to finish the milk once your baby starts drinking at room temperature. After that, bacteria can develop quickly.

Can You Freeze Milk That Hasn’t Been Drunk?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. If the milk is freshly pumped, hasn’t been heated, and hasn’t come into contact with your baby’s mouth, you can freeze it in a sterilized, breast milk-safe container. Always label it with the date and place it in the coldest part of the freezer.

You can safely freeze freshly expressed milk for up to six months, though using it within three helps retain its optimal taste and nutritional value. Once the 24 hours are up, go ahead and prepare a fresh bottle instead. If the milk sits out too long or your baby begins drinking from it, discard the remaining milk to keep things safe.

By following these steps, you’ll keep breast milk safe and preserve its quality for your baby.

Should You Keep Reheated Milk?

It’s tempting to put a half-full bottle back in the fridge, but once your baby’s lips touch the nipple, the risk of contamination rises. The rule is simple: after warming, use the milk within two hours.

Still, there are meaningful ways to give that leftover milk a second purpose.

How to Reuse Leftover Breast Milk

If you have safe, unused milk left over, here are gentle, creative ideas to give it a second life:

1. Make a Breast Milk Bath

Add a few spoonfuls of milk to your baby’s bath. This soothing soak can calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

2. Use Breast Milk to Soothe Diaper Rash or Sore Skin

Dip a soft cloth in milk and apply it to diaper rashes or sore nipples. Breast milk’s natural healing properties help hydrate and repair skin.

3. Try a DIY Face Mask

Apply a little milk to your face for a quick, natural beauty boost. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse off.

4. Make Homemade Breast Milk Soap

Use frozen breast milk to make gentle, homemade soap. It’s a thoughtful gift and a great way to avoid waste.

5. Donate to a Milk Bank

Milk banks accept donations from healthy moms to help premature or hospitalized babies. It’s a powerful act of generosity that turns your extra milk into life-saving nourishment.

Reach out to your local milk bank or maternity ward to find out how to donate.

6. Create a keepsake with La Joie en Rose.

Breast milk is more than just food—it represents your bond with your baby. At La Joie en Rose, we craft custom breast milk jewellery using just a small amount of milk.

Whether you choose a ring, pendant, or bracelet, each piece is handmade with care. It’s a beautiful way to transform a potentially frustrating moment into a lasting, meaningful keepsake.

Tips to Reduce Waste

Here are a few habits that help cut down on wasted milk:

Prepare smaller bottles, especially when your baby’s hunger is unpredictable.
Only thaw what your baby is likely to finish.
Always warm milk slowly in a water bath or bottle warmer.
Check the smell and texture before offering it.

Every Drop Counts

Breast milk is more than nutrition. It carries love, connection, and time. Unused milk still holds meaning—you can turn it into a baby bath, a skincare treat, or a beautiful piece of jewellery that tells your story.

At La Joie en Rose, we believe every drop matters. Interested in a keepsake made from your breast milk? We’re here to answer your questions and help you get started.

How to clean jewellery properly: 5 Tips to take care of your jewellery

Jewellery that holds meaning, such as breast milk pearls or gemstone rings, deserves thoughtful care and proper cleaning. These pieces, often made of silver, gold, or gold-plated metals, react to outside elements. Maintain them properly, and they’ll stay shiny and last longer. Here are five practical tips to clean your jewellery and build good care habits.

It might seem tedious, but a piece that holds meaning for you deserves the extra attention.

1. Clean rings, bracelets, and other jewelry according to metal type

Your first instinct should always be to match the cleaning method to the metal. While lemon juice, white vinegar, or baking soda can help polish raw silver, you should never use them on jewelry containing stones, pearls, or breast milk resin. These materials are too delicate and could get damaged.

Sterling silver jewelry

Silvertarnish typically results from natural oxidation that occurs over time. You can remove it by gently rubbing the surface with a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth. A specialized silver polishing cloth also works well, but be careful to avoid contact with the breast milk pearl or any stone.

Gold-plated jewelry

Gold plating is delicate and wears down more easily than solid gold. Even if the piece doesn’t include a stone or pearl, it’s recommended that you avoid wearing it in the shower, pool, or during any activity that involves water, sweat, or chemicals. To restore shine, use a clean, dry cloth—never use any cleaning product, not even a mild one, or you’ll risk thinning the gold layer.

Solid yellow, white, or rose gold jewelry

For plain solid gold jewelry without stones or pearls, gentle cleansing with warm water and mild soap can help. Let the piece soak for a few minutes, then use a soft toothbrush to gently clean it. Avoid applying pressure to minimize the risk of scratching the metal. This cleaning method works well for removing residue without damaging the jewellery’s structure. However, if the piece includes a breast milk pearl, skip the water and soap entirely.

2. Caring for pearls and gemstones: never submerge your jewellery

To preserve their quality, breast milk pearls, gemstones, and semi-precious stones should only be cleaned using a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing or applying pressure. Alcohol wipes or abrasive cleaners can permanently damage the resin and alter the appearance of your jewellery. Do not let your jewellery come into contact with these types of products.

3. Avoid everyday products that can harm your jewellery

Daily exposure to products wears out jewelry faster than age alone.

Perfume, lotion, makeup, cleaning agents, chlorine, and sweat can all dull metal and cloud stones.

Wear your jewellery only after your beauty routine, and take it off before exercising (especially sports) or doing manual work like chores. Even silver or white gold can’t withstand constant exposure to sweat or chemical products.

4. Jewellery care: clean only when needed, and clean correctly

Jewellery doesn’t need frequent cleaning, just the right method. Once a month is usually enough if you are careful with it during daily life.

If you notice stains or dirt, resist the urge to use DIY methods like baking soda, toothpaste, or lemon juice. Using these methods can erode the surface of gold-plated jewellery and distort the details in resin components. If you aren’t sure what to use, ask a professional or contact the manufacturer.

5. Store your jewellery in a dry, safe place

Even the best cleaning won’t protect your jewellery if you don’t store it properly. Humidity and dust—especially in poorly ventilated areas—can quickly cause silver to tarnish and other metals to lose their shine.

To prevent scratches and tarnishing, store each piece in its own soft pouch or in a jewellery box with a fabric lining. Keep your jewellery away from humid areas like bathrooms, and areas prone to extreme temperatures like windowsills or heat sources.

For added protection, place a silica gel packet inside your storage box. This will absorb excess moisture, which in turn will help maintain your jewellery’s appearance by preventing corrosion and dullness.

Maintain, store, protect: simple habits that keep your jewellery looking Its best

Before cleaning a piece, always check what it’s made of. Breast milk pearls, gemstones, and precious metals all require different care methods. A single mistake can ruin the entire piece.

Storage plays just as big a role as cleaning. Always place your jewellery in a dry, dark place, where it will not be damaged by friction. For example, use individual jewellery pouches or the compartments in a jewellery box to avoid contact between items.

Once your jewellery is clean, remember to keep it protected. Every piece deserves special care. Proper cleaning helps preserve details and shine. Proper protection helps the entire piece last longer. By adopting the right habits, you can maintain the shine and value of your jewelry without putting it at risk.

How to Congratulate a Birth? 5 Tips for Sending New Baby Wishes

Une feuille blanche avec des crayons et des petits chaussons de naissance bleu

The arrival of a baby is a truly special moment filled with joy, love, and tenderness. For the new mom, dad, and all their loved ones, it marks a beautiful turning point. But how do you find the right words to congratulate someone on a birth? Here are 5 tips to help you craft a heartfelt message, and ways to pair your good wishes with a meaningful gift for the new parents.

1. Adapt your congratulations based on your tie to the parents

Your message should reflect your relationship to the parents.

If the new parent is a colleague, use a warm and simple tone.
If they are a close friend or family member, let your emotions show.

To help you get started, here are a few message suggestions you can tailor:

Classic and emotional:

“Congratulations on the arrival of your little treasure! May this new life bring you all the happiness and love you deserve.”

Warm and friendly:

“Welcome to your beautiful baby! They’re lucky to have such devoted and loving parents. Wishing the three of you lots of love and tender moments.”

For close loved ones:

“A new baby marks the beginning of a magical chapter in your life. Congratulations on this beautiful arrival, and may you enjoy every bit of this joyful new adventure!”

Sincere and heartfelt:

“My warmest congratulations on the birth of your child. This little ray of sunshine is sure to fill your life with love and happiness.”

Light and humorous:

“Congratulations, champs! You just unlocked parenting mode. Good luck and enjoy this new adventure—just don’t bother looking for the pause button!”

Celebrating joy and love:

“We just heard the news and couldn’t be happier for you both! Wishing you endless cuddles, a few sleepless nights… and a whole ocean of love as you begin this new journey.”

Need more inspiration? Explore a variety of congratulatory messages you can adapt for boys, girls, twins, or by adding personal memories and heartfelt wishes.

2. When should you send your congratulations?

In the first few hours, parents are often overwhelmed. Waiting a day or two gives you a chance to show your support while respecting their space.

You can send a text, make a quick call, or post a kind note on social media—whatever feels most natural to you. Some people prefer to wait until the parents share the birth announcement before sending a more formal message.

The timing matters less than the sincerity of your words.

3. Pair your congratulations with a thoughtful gift

A meaningful gesture can add a personal touch to your message.

Whether it’s a soft keepsake, a personalized gift, or a piece of jewellery, what matters most is the meaning behind it.

La Joie en Rose specializes in crafting breast milk jewelry, an intimate and heartfelt way to celebrate the bond between mother and child. It’s a beautiful way to turn your congratulations into a lasting keepsake.

4. Keep your tone gentle and uplifting

To make your message truly touching, use words that radiate warmth, like joy, love, tenderness, or wonder when welcoming a newborn.

Even a brief message can carry deep emotional meaning if you choose your words carefully.

5. Look at examples for ideas, but ultimately, stay true to yourself

No need to write a novel. A congratulatory card isn’t necessary, but a message written with heart will always make a difference in offering warm congratulations. You can start with a template, then add a personal detail, an anecdote, or a personal thought.

Congratulating new parents on the birth of their child

Congratulating someone on a new baby is more than just words, it’s a way to offer love, support, and a bit of shared happiness as they begin this new chapter.

And if you want to make your message truly special, consider gifting a personalized piece of jewelry from La Joie en Rose. Each item is made to celebrate life’s most precious milestones. The arrival of a new baby is a truly special event!

Breastfeeding: Which Foods Should You Avoid?

Une maman allaitant son enfant tout en mangeant un plat de nouille.

During breastfeeding, every mother wants to give her baby the very best. Despite breast milk being the gold standard for infant nutrition, certain maternal dietary choices might sometimes cause slight discomfort for the baby.

Rather than following strict rules, it’s more about learning to listen, observe, and balance the mother’s diet with breastfeeding so that this precious time remains calm and enjoyable. Remember, breastfeeding is a natural extension of the connection already formed between mother and baby during pregnancy.

Which Foods Should You Avoid While Breastfeeding?

Breast milk is perfectly tailored to your baby’s development, yet it’s wise to be mindful of certain foods in your diet that might influence their digestion or behavior. Colic is often the first sign that something in your diet may be causing discomfort.

Caffeine: Enjoy in Moderation

Caffeine is a part of daily life for many mothers, but when consumed in large amounts, it can have an impact on a baby’s behavior.
Coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, and energy drinks all contain caffeine.
Some infants may experience mild irritability or trouble sleeping as a result.
Consider limiting your daily coffee intake to a reasonable 2 to 3 cups.
By moderating your consumption, you can still enjoy your favorite habits while respecting your baby’s natural rhythm.

Mercury-Rich Fish: Choose Wisely

Fish is excellent for your health, but some types contain traces of mercury that should be limited while breastfeeding.
Fish to limit: bluefin tuna, swordfish, shark.
Instead, choose fish rich in omega-3s and low in mercury: salmon, trout, and mackerel.
Breast milk remains safe for your baby if you eat a variety of types of fish in moderation.
By eating several different types of fish, you can be confident of achieving a good nutritional balance without any risk to your baby.

Spicy or Hard-to-Digest Foods: Adapting to Your Baby's Rhythm

Strong flavors or certain vegetables can slightly alter the taste of breast milk or cause mild digestive discomfort in some babies.
There are no strict rules to follow: every baby reacts differently.
Foods to introduce gradually: cabbage, lentils, garlic, onion, and spicy dishes.
Observe your baby’s digestive comfort and adjust your diet accordingly.
Listening to your baby’s reactions and adapting your meals over time is often the best way to balance enjoyment and well-being.

Alcoholic Beverages: Making Informed Choices

Consuming alcohol while breastfeeding requires a bit of planning to ensure your baby’s safety and comfort. Even in small amounts, alcohol passes into breast milk and can affect your baby’s well-being. Here are the most important points to remember:

Alcohol quickly enters breast milk.
Experts recommend waiting about 2 hours after each drink before breastfeeding.

You can also express milk in advance if needed.
With a few simple precautions, it’s absolutely possible to balance breastfeeding and occasional social outings.

Ultra-Processed Foods and Artificial Sweeteners: Best to Limit

Modern diets include many processed foods, but you can enjoy them in small amounts without affecting the quality of your breast milk.

Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.
Limit additives, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners.

Focus on eating a varied and mindful diet rather than following strict restrictions.
Eating simple, natural foods daily helps nourish your body without guilt over occasional indulgences.

Some Foods May Contain Potential Allergens

Some breastfed babies may be sensitive to allergens passed through breast milk, although this is relatively rare if the mother maintains a balanced and varied breastfeeding diet.

Potential allergens to watch for: dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts.
Signs to watch for: eczema, reflux, or abnormal stools.

If needed, eliminate these foods temporarily under medical supervision.
It is important to seek personalized guidance before eliminating any foods, to prevent nutritional deficiencies and stay confident that you are properly fulfilling your baby’s dietary needs.

Does Diet Influence Breast Milk Production?

Breast milk is a living food that is perfectly designed to meet the needs of a newborn. It provides all the necessary nutrients during the first six months, supports the immune system, aids digestion, and strengthens the bond between mother and baby. It also helps fight respiratory infections and illnesses. Additionally, it offers protective health benefits for the mother, reducing certain long-term risks.
The mother’s body is designed to produce milk, even during times of fatigue or imperfect nutrition. Nevertheless, consuming a diverse, calorie-rich diet and staying well-hydrated are important for maintaining both the amount and nutritional value of breast milk. Take acre of yourself with:

Sufficient energy intake to support lactation.
Daily hydration with water, herbal teas, and broths.
Foods traditionally associated with active lactation: fennel, fenugreek, and oats.

Although no single miracle food can increase milk production on its own, adopting a balanced diet and remembering to take care of yourself every day will support the body in this natural function, as explained by the World Health Organization in its article on infant and young child feeding.
Every mother does her best with love and patience. Breast milk remains the most valuable ally in a baby’s development. Trusting her own instincts, carefully observing her baby, and seeking appropriate support can help you enjoy a confident and caring breastfeeding experience.

7 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts for a New Mom

Pale pink gift box adorned with a satin ribbon.

Looking for a Mother’s Day gift that truly captures the unique bond between mother and child? Discover 7 thoughtful and symbolic gift ideas designed to honor the beauty of breastfeeding.

Not a cookbook or a smartwatch: Give a deeply personal Mother's Day gift

Finding the perfect gift for Mother’s Day can feel like a challenge, especially when you want to give something truly meaningful. Forget the impersonal presents — today’s mothers seek original, heartfelt gifts that reflect the deep love shared with their child.

At La Joie en Rose, we believe that every piece of jewelry tells a story, and there are countless ways to offer the perfect gift. For a tender and authentic way to celebrate young mothers, consider these 7 unique, handcrafted gift ideas.

1. A ring filled with emotion

A breast milk ring crafted from a mother’s own milk serves as a tangible keepsake of the cherished breastfeeding journey with her child. Delicate and fully customizable, it is available in a wide range of shapes and colors. You can also add additional elements such as engravings to create an intimate, symbolic piece that reflects her unique story.

2. Delicate, personalized earrings

Elegant and lightweight, our breast milk earrings suit stylish mothers who are looking for jewelry that is both discreet and meaningful. Available in silver or 10k/14k rose, yellow, or white gold, they subtly incorporate preserved breast milk for a refined, timeless touch.
Breastmilk earrings are a truly personal and thoughtful gift any mother would cherish.

3. A necklace that tells a story

At La Joie en Rose, every necklace becomes a personal story. From a geometric ring-holder necklace, designed for elegant and secure display, to a delicate chain featuring a letter or pendant, each piece is thoughtfully crafted to celebrate cherished memories.

4. A keepsake pendant to wear close to the heart

Our unique pendant designs celebrate maternal love: whether it’s a Tree of Life created in collaboration with Maid in the Woods, an infinity symbol adorned with breast milk pearls, or a feather paired with a birthstone, each piece holds deep meaning. Breast milk pendants are crafted to be worn close to the heart, so you can keep precious memories near every day.

5. A DIY kit to create a precious keepsake

Because creating something with your own hands adds even more meaning to a memory, we offer DIY kits that allow you to craft a unique piece of jewelry at home. Perfect for mothers who enjoy creative activities with symbolic value, it’s the ideal opportunity to handcraft something truly special.

6. A breast milk figurine to celebrate motherhood

In addition to our jewelry collection, La Joie en Rose also offers breast milk figurines. These small works of art embody the tenderness, sweetness, and strength of the mother-child bond. Each figurine is personalized with your own breast milk, creating a timeless keepsake that serves as a visual tribute to your breastfeeding journey.

A symbolic and original gift that will add beauty to any living space.

7. A gift card so each mother can follow her heart

Not sure which piece to choose? A La Joie en Rose gift card provides a thoughtful and flexible solution, so mothers can select the piece that speaks to them most. Redeemable across our entire collection, a gift card allows her to co-create the jewelry that truly reflects her story.
Pair it with a heartfelt note or a bouquet of flowers for an even more personal touch.

The perfect Mother's Day gift idea is waiting at La Joie en Rose!

Because every mother is unique, finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift involves special care and attention. By choosing original, handcrafted pieces personalized with your most precious memories, you offer much more than just an object — you share an emotion.

Whether it’s a symbolic piece of jewelry, a creative moment, or a thoughtful gift card full of possibilities, these gift ideas are designed to leave a lasting impression.

This year, why not give her something truly unforgettable?

A meaningful gift for a new mom

Une futur maman qui tient dans ses main un cadeau

Do you want to surprise a new mother with a keepsake she will treasure forever? From Christmas and birthdays to baby showers and breastfeeding milestones, a gift that acknowledges the mother’s connection with her baby is always special.

At La Joie en Rose, we create personalized jewelry crafted from breast milk—a unique and sentimental way to honor motherhood.

Give a unique and personalized piece of jewelry

Every mother deserves a keepsake that reflects her love and devotion. A jewelry piece infused with breast milk offers a lasting memory of this precious chapter in her life.

Using careful preservation techniques, we create a luminous pearl from a sample of breast milk, which is then fashioned into an exquisite ring, pendant, or set of earrings.

Breast milk ring

A breast milk ring is a beautiful way for a mother to carry a physical memento of her breastfeeding journey. Our handcrafted designs come with multiple customization options, making each piece as personal as the experience it represents.

Breast milk necklace

For those who appreciate elegant, understated jewelry, a pendant is a perfect option. Designed to be worn close to the heart, it serves as a subtle yet powerful tribute to motherhood. With diverse shapes and finishes to choose from, each necklace is tailored to your individual style and sentimental preferences.

Breast milk earrings

Subtle in design, yet rich in meaning, our breast milk earrings provide an elegant expression of profound emotion. They integrate beautifully with other accessories, empowering mothers to create a unified and stylish jewelry ensemble.

Why choose breast milk jewelry for a new mom?

Unlike traditional gifts, these pieces preserve a mother’s journey in a tangible, lasting way. Our skilled artisans meticulously handcraft each piece, providing personalized touches like engraving or a lock of hair to create a truly unique keepsake.

How to select the perfect piece?

The best choice depends on her personal style. A ring with a preserved pearl will stand out beautifully, while a simple pendant or minimalist earrings can provide a subtle elegance.

If you’re not sure, a gift card allows her to personalize and select the perfect piece to match her preference.

A treasured keepsake from La Joie en Rose

Giving a mother a piece of jewelry that embodies her breastfeeding journey means offering a lasting memory she can cherish forever.

At La Joie en Rose, we are committed to creating high-quality keepsakes that symbolize love and connection. Each piece tells a story—one that honors the unbreakable bond between mother and child.

Explore our breast milk jewelry today and find a meaningful treasure she will hold dear for years to come.

Rose-coloured joy and white pearls

EXCERP: No surprises here, milk turns yellow naturally. This is a challenge all breast milk jewelry artisans are faced with. If you’ve decided to get a jewelry piece done with your breast milk, you obviously want a tangible and timeless keepsake, one that will keep its colour for the rest of your life. One that will forever remind you of the precious moments with your baby.

No surprises here, milk turns yellow naturally. This is a challenge all breast milk jewelry artisans are faced with.

If you’ve decided to get a jewelry piece done with your breast milk, you obviously want a tangible and timeless keepsake, one that will keep its colour for the rest of your life. One that will forever remind you of the precious moments with your baby.

I’ve mentioned it before (DIY kits article), sadly many companies out there sooner or later are faced with the lack of rigour in their creation process and are forced to shut down operations a few months in because of increasing complaints from customers – whether it’s because the jewel’s colour has become yellow, the solvent has broken upon delivery, or the mount didn’t hold up… And there’s really nothing we can do about it; the company has gone belly up!

True creators know how to create a long-lasting product

If you want quality, long-lasting and guaranteed jewelry, you’ve come to the right place!

The process I use to create pearls is completely different from most other online stores who usually just transform milk into powder and insert it in a glass bubble (which tends to be brittle) or create a white pearl initially but are unable to guarantee it will stay white. The result is that the jewel turns yellow, brown, or even green. So much for a timeless and long-lasting keepsake!

At La Joie En Rose, I work in a completely different way. One of my tricks for pearls to stay white is a stable solidification process in addition to using resin. Instead of using glass, resin allows for a much wider variety of models and shapes – and even personalized pearls!

True creators are hard-working

There is no way around it, in order to offer a guaranteed, long-lasting quality product, an artisan must invest hours upon hours of time in research.

I have spent countless hours researching and experimenting with different chemical processes with cow’s milk at first, and then with kindly donated breast milk – shout-out to these generous Moms.

I quickly realized that creating a white pearl is quite easy, only to find out after a few weeks that bacteria would take over and make the colour turn. Then after more testing, eureka! I found the way to stabilize the whole process.

I won’t reveal all my secrets here, but one thing I can say is that I’ve come to a deep understanding of my jewelry and I am 100% confident with the quality of my creations for having worked hard on the process itself.

My advice therefore is to make sure to deal with artisans who understand the fabrication method and who will be in a position to address all of your questions BEFORE initiating the creation process and AFTER the jewel has been delivered. That should give a good indication of quality, in my opinion.

True creators know their product

Knowing full well my product and the process, I am also able to provide guidance on caring for the jewelry.

Resin is a raw material sensitive to UV rays and heat (except for resin with mercury, a highly toxic chemical). Therefore, if you wish to keep your pearl white and keep it for a long time, you need to avoid long exposure to direct sunlight, such as sun bathing or taking a long bath with the jewelry.

In any case, you will find all of my maintenance tips on my FAQ section and you are always welcome to contact me directly with specific questions or hesitations.

That being said, my promise to you is that if you follow my advice, your pearl will remain as beautiful and white as when you first got it.

True creators know how to repair

If you are reading this and find yourself with a pearl made by someone else that has turned yellow, fear not: all is not lost.

Of course, if you are still breastfeeding, the easiest would be to contact me for a brand new, guaranteed pearl.

If, however, you no longer have breast milk to send, I am happy to announce a new service for your pearl named “Second Life”. Access it here by filling out the form and choosing your preferred jewelry from our selection or any other custom jewelry.

I will redo a white pearl with your yellow or deteriorated pearl. If my care instructions are followed, it will not change colour and will remain beautiful for years.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate just how important it is for me to maintain a relationship with my customers and to be available to answer all of your questions before, during, and after the designing process.

If your pearl has turned yellow or you’re having a hard time choosing a model of breast milk jewelry, contact me. It’s free! I will quickly get back to you and I promise that no matter your previous experience, my jewelry will live up to your most cherished memories!

“My baby is a star” When motherhood and bereavement collide

EXCERP: Today, I would like to discuss a subject we seldom talk about in our culture. It hurts to talk about it and leaves most of us at a loss for words. What is it? Perinatal bereavement.If you are reading this article, you are no doubt aware that I create jewelry from breast milk. Each piece is a precious keepsake of an intimate time with our young one. Too often though, I create jewelry for women who have lost their baby.

Today, I would like to discuss a subject we seldom talk about in our culture. It hurts to talk about it and leaves most of us at a loss for words. What is it? Perinatal bereavement.

If you are reading this article, you are no doubt aware that I create jewelry from breast milk. Each piece is a precious keepsake of an intimate time with our young one. Too often though, I create jewelry for women who have lost their baby. In those cases, the memento is not only precious – it is priceless.

Orphaned parents

We call them ‘orphaned parents’, though there is no word in English for a parent who loses a child. I want to reveal to you a little bit about these moms and dads who go through the terrible trial of losing a child.

To begin with, if you are going through or have lived through such grief, you should know that there are a number of associations that exist for parents who just need to talk to people who will really understand them. One such association is Parents Orphelins. They define perinatal bereavement as ‘the death of a baby that occurs during the course of the pregnancy, in baby birth or during the first year of life.’

Regardless of the reason for the death of the baby – miscarriage, abortion for therapeutic reasons, sudden infant death, foetal death, or neonatal death – the psychological toll on parents is massive and the whole family is affected by the death of a child. Of course, we tend to think first of the mother who carried her baby and the physical and psychological loss of her child, but we oftentimes forget the father, as well as the siblings and grand-parents who will be forever affected by the loss. Orphaned parents, and families too.

The day everything changed

It’s impossible to measure the heartache and grief cannot be mapped on a timeline. Everyone is different, and everyone will grieve in their own way.

On the CHU de Sainte-Justine website, the section entitled The day everything changed is dedicated to perinatal bereavement. Clearly, this is the reality of many, though it is not well known and often difficult to understand. Of course, all can appreciate the gravity of this event, but clearly knowing how to react, what to say, and what to do for the grieving families is a challenge for many.

Whether you personally have lived through this trial or know someone going through it, I would urge you to consult the videos posted on the pages I just referred to above (link here). You will meet parents who tell their story and explain how they were able to overcome this ordeal. I am hopeful this will help eliminate certain taboos.

Supporting bereaved families

In its section Supporting a bereaved parent, the association Parents Orphelins gives many tips to help us support relatives or friends living through this situation. Another association, Les Perséides, also offers suggestions worthy of careful consideration in the section entitled Aider un proche (in French only). Here are some of them:

Don’t shy away just because you don’t know what to say; keep in close contact with the bereaved parents
Listen; showing interest doesn’t mean you have to do all the talking
Allow the bereaved to talk about the baby as much as they want and every time they need to, even if that makes you uneasy
Use the baby’s name when you talk about him/her
Respect the parents’ need for alone time at different stages of the grieving
Show special consideration to the baby’s siblings
Avoid hurtful clichés such as “at least you can have another one”, “at least you have other kids”, “at least he/she died before you really got to know them”, etc.
Remember that the baby is unique and will always be a part of the family that was expecting him/her or in which he/she was briefly a part of, and no other child will ever replace it.

For you, mothers

Lastly, a thought for you, dear moms who have carried and interacted with your baby. Your body and hormones are also coming to terms with the loss and you may still experience your breast milk coming in. Some mothers choose to stop milk production through drug therapy, while others wish to donate their breast milk, and others still may seek psychological support with a lactation specialist. There are no right or wrong choices.

I am regularly in contact with mothers who wish to safeguard the memory of the short time spent with their child by creating jewelry with their breast milk, and all of their accounts are so touching. Sometimes, a close relative will contact me for the mother. Every time, I am moved. These children will always hold a special place in their mom’s heart and the little I can do helps to keep their memory alive.

Unfortunately, perinatal bereavement is a far too common affliction. There are so many orphaned parents and bereaved families. Break down taboos. Let’s openly share our precious memories about these tiny stars that will forever twinkle in our lives.

Tarnishing Breastmilk Jewelry? … Not here!

EXCERP: The main reason why we purchase breastmilk jewelry is to have a precious memory of our breastfeeding journey. We want to cherish those memories forever. Breastmilk jewelry can be a little something that reminds us of all those gentle breastfeeding moments we shared with our little ones. I bet you recently discovered that it’s now possible to transform your breast milk into a unique and tangible …

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I bet you recently discovered that it’s now possible to transform your breast milk into a unique and tangible piece of breastmilk jewelry at La Joie En Rose. When visiting La Joie En Rose’s online boutique you can find multiple styles of BreastMilk Jewelry to match your taste.

There are probably thousands of questions that come to your mind when thinking of breastmilk jewelry such as, “how is it made?” and those questions are totally normal. Let’s be honest, this is not the kind of jewelry you can buy at Walmart…!

Today, I felt like sharing with you my experience working with breastmilk jewelry while at the same time answering some of the questions you may have. I will share with you what has been for over a year now, my day-to-day life creating breastmilk jewelry.

MANY HOURS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO FIND THE PERFECT RECIPE

I have worked really hard developing the perfect “recipe” to create my breastmilk jewelry. I spent many hours researching and talking to my partner who has a lot of knowledge in chemistry and works in the mining industry. I have done thousands of tests to find the perfect recipe. At first, I was using cow milk and as I was getting closer to creating the optimal recipe I began using breast milk that moms would nicely lend out to me. I like to call them my “guinea pig moms”!

Do you want to know what I got out of the first couple tests? Well! I created a kind of cheese…!

At first, it had a beautiful white color, almost too pretty to be real. To be honest, a couple weeks later, the bacteria started to do their work and I am pretty sure that under a microscope you could find a whole village working at it. At that point, I knew I had a lot more work to do.

I went back to square one. I began reading about it and then began doing more tests. Finally, I found THE perfect formula to create a breastmilk jewelry pearl that will be forever white!

Do you want to know what my main ingredient is? It’s………….. Love!!! Oh yes! I told you I was going to answer some of your questions, but not his one! Haha!

ONE OF MY SECRETS, REVEALED…

Here is a very important secret! You won’t get to know them all, but you will get this one 😉 . To create non-tarnishing and impeccable breastmilk pearl, I mainly use resin. This main ingredient is what makes my recipe successful, but… my breastmilk jewelry requires good care.

You must know that currently, none of the safe forms of resin on the market is 100% UV resistant or resistant to Mr. Sun. There is one kind of resin that is UV rays resistant, but it’s made of mercury, a highly toxic ingredient for our health. For this reason, I don’t use this type of resin in my jewelry. The day you’re planning on sun tanning, spending hours under the hot sun, or during that precious week of vacation (you know the one where you will be laying on the beach all day long in Cuba) with your breastmilk jewelry around your neck? On those days simply take off your jewelry and leave it somewhere safe!

My breastmilk jewelry is water resistant, but know that heat is not its friend. You shouldn’t be wearing your breastmilk jewelry when taking a super-hot bath for hours on end (I know it can be tempting to admire your breast milk ring while in the bath 😉 )… If you want long-lasting breastmilk jewelry you should avoid wearing it under those conditions. That being said, taking a 5 to 10 minute shower in between breastfeeding your little one, or doing a load of laundry and preparing a snack for your oldest, is totally fine for your breastmilk jewelry. Lol!

As you have decided to purchase your own breastmilk jewelry from La Joie En Rose, I know that you want to preserve the good quality of this precious souvenir of your breastfeeding journey. In fact, I know you will make sure to take good care of it, as suggested. 😉

If you follow the caring instruction I forwarded to you when receiving your breastmilk jewelry, it will definitely last for a long time, unlike the breastmilk jewelry you could have created using a DIY kit. Those DIY kits don’t offer that type of warranty! I have actually written a post on that subject, it’s right here.

One day, you could tell your grandchild: “This pearl is a symbol of my perseverance and of my love for your dad/ your mom when I was breastfeeding them. It’s the joy I shared with my baby that kept me going and it’s with this breastmilk jewelry that I will forever keep this memory alive.”

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions! I will be more than happy to answer them and maybe it will inspire me to write many other blog posts.

Cheers!

Karine xx

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A FEW THOUGHTS ON BREAST MILK JEWELRY DIY KITS

EXCERP: The main reason why we purchase breast milk jewelry is to have a precious memory of our breastfeeding journey. We want to cherish those memories forever. Breast milk jewelry can be a little something that reminds us of all those gentle breastfeeding moments we shared with our little ones.

A few thoughts on breast milk jewelry DIY kits

The main reason why we purchase breast milk jewelry is to have a precious memory of our breastfeeding journey. We want to cherish those memories forever. Breast milk jewelry can be a little something that reminds us of all those gentle breastfeeding moments we shared with our little ones.

Purchasing breast milk jewelry is very similar to purchasing a newborn photo shoot or even a wedding ring. It represents a very special, once in a lifetime event.

Our main priority is to make sure that your keepsake will stay beautiful through the years; that it will represent all the self-sacrifices you made whilst breastfeeding. You want to make sure that it will be solid, strong and that it won’t tarnish quickly. Most of all, you want to make sure that you have a high-quality keepsake.

WARRANTIED BREAST MILK JEWELRY

By purchasing La Joie En Rose’s breast milk jewelry we guarantee that you will be receiving a gorgeous looking breast milk piece of jewelry. Each breast milk pearl will remain beautiful through the years and we guarantee it will not change colour. Additionally, your breast milk pearl is placed in a unique high-quality jewelry piece picked by you. Each piece of breast milk jewelry represents the emotion, difficulty, and beauty of your breastfeeding journey.

When you purchase a DIY kit (usually sold by overseas companies) you should note that in the small print at the bottom of your package you can often read, “warranty that your jewel won’t turn yellow in 6 months.” Also, many companies that offer this kind of product (mostly the ones on Etsy) often close after a couple months. It’s because those companies get a lot of bad comments about their jewels turning yellow. Sometimes they get negative comments about the solvent that leaked in the package or even that the breast milk jewel or jewelry broke after a couple days. It could even be that the customer simply never received their DIY kit. Anyways, lots of people are wasting their precious time and money on a cheap DIY kit. We should also mention that most of the people never got their money back because many of the companies often go out of business.

With La Joie En Rose it’s quite the opposite. We make sure that you are fully satisfied and that is our number one priority.

HIGH-QUALITY BREAST MILK JEWELRY

At La Joie En Rose our procedure is to create a high-quality breast milk jewel that is very different from the DIY kit. When you buy a DIY kit your milk is transformed into dust to then be inserted into a glass bubble. In addition to not being aesthetically beautiful the breast milk jewel is also very fragile because it is made up of cheap glass. Most of the moms are reporting that their jewel turned yellow or even brown after a couple months when using a DIY kit. La Joie En Rose’s has a different process that doesn’t use powder or glass and your jewel won’t turn brown as our solidification compound made of resin has proved itself to maintain that long lasting appearance that you want. Our techniques, combined with high-materials will give you a breast milk jewel that will look new and last a lifetime!

A WIDE CHOICE OF FRAMES AND JEWELRY TO FIT YOUR TASTES

It’s also important to know that the DIY kits are very limited in frame choices. Most of them only offer sterling silver or other cheap metals.

At La Joie En Rose we offer a wide range of metal frames from silver to rose gold; our choices are infinite. Depending on your preference, your breast milk jewel can be mounted onto a pendant, ring or even earrings.

We also offer you the possibility to customize your breast milk jewel. As we work with resin instead of glass we can create as many shapes as possible to fit your needs.

Choosing breast milk jewelry from La Joie En Rose is knowing that your breast milk jewelry will maintain its high-quality standard and that it will be durable and forever lasting. Last but not least, it’s made by a Canadian professional that really knows her art.

Everything can be customized, from your piece of jewelry, all the way to your frame and to your breast milk pearl itself. We make sure all the details are thought of to ensure you get a unique piece of breast milk jewelry.

At La Joie En Rose, we create breast milk jewelry to match the emotion of your breastfeeding journey.

For us, what matters the most is our customer needs are met before, during and after your breast milk jewelry is created. We guarantee your full satisfaction.