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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be contemplating ordering a piece of 'breast milk' jewellery?

122 replies

SweetElizaRose · 29/04/2016 11:21

I mean it's ick right? And a few months a go id have pulled this face at the thought of it Hmm
However I have been exclusively expressing for dd for nearly 19 weeks having been unable to feed properly for numerous reasons (c-section, prem baby in NICU, long hospital stay, very unwell after c section) and I think I might actually be able to get her to six months. This thought seemed completely unachievable at the start but I'm beginning to think I might be able to do it. It's been bloody hard work, every three or four hours day and night expressing and I have an older child too. I kind of want something to mark it especially after I do eventually stop.
Something like this maybe. I've lost the plot haven't I?

To be contemplating ordering a piece of 'breast milk' jewellery?
OP posts:
Lweji · 29/04/2016 14:28

Honestly, I'd get a proper diamond and would tell myself I had fully earned it.

Lweji · 29/04/2016 14:30

Or order a trophy with the words: I expressed breast milk for X months. And put it on display.

BonjourMinou · 29/04/2016 14:34

Wouldn't be the same captain and I wholeheartedly agree with crayfish. I know someone that exclusively expressed for months and I was in awe.

I had/have a relatively easy time bf compared to some and my necklace still feels like a medal. Like I said, I don't tell everybody what it is, it's more for me to know.

I'm having some Bracelet beads made by the same lady (Tanya). Not bm this time, but containing the first lock of each of my children's hair, the beads are going to be colour matched to the flowers in my wedding bouquet.

Yes, it's soppy and sentimental! Luckily I have a supportive DH Grin

BumWad · 29/04/2016 14:37

I don't think you are weird. If I'd have known I'd have probably done it myself - I mostly expressed for preemie DS who is now 11 months until he was 6 months, it was hard work but rewarding. Using that last Frozen breastmilk was a bit Sad so wouldn't have minded a momento

liquidrevolution · 29/04/2016 14:38

Buy it if you want.

You DC will be absolutely thrilled in 10-15 years time. Make sure you produce it at parties and wear it to their weddings/grduations etc.

WhatWouldFlopDo · 29/04/2016 14:44

If I'd exclusively expressed for 19 weeks I'd buy anything I wanted. That's some going, expressing exclusively is hard!

TinyTear · 29/04/2016 14:45

Do you all go round telling people what your jewellery is made of?

"oh this is lovely resin"
"Look at my pearls"
"I love my amethysts"
"This plastic bead is great"

So why would anyone other than you and who you trust need to know you have breastmilk stuff? I just looks lovely and secretly it is amazing...

I much rather this than a tattoo

thomassodorisland · 29/04/2016 15:01

I exclusively expressed for 4 months until my daughter could feed from me.
My bead means a lot to me it's a symbol of all the hard work I had to do and how we made it threw that time.

No one else needs to know what's in it although I do tell everyone I couldn't care what they think of it. It wasn't them expressing every 2-3 hours for months on end.

HoundoftheBaskervilles · 29/04/2016 15:13

STOP SAYING MILK DIAMONDS.

It's making me feel quite ill and I BF continuously for four years (two DCs).

I need a glass of wine to help me come to terms with this thread, I was blissful in my ignorance.

StuntNun · 29/04/2016 15:16

I have a breastmilk bead (the milk is dried to a powder and set in resin so it isn't icky at all) and four beads with hair from my four children. And sorry Hound but mine is from Milk Diamonds as well.

To be contemplating ordering a piece of 'breast milk' jewellery?
eatyouwithaspoon · 29/04/2016 15:32

I exclusively expressd for 5 months then half and half after as I couldnt keep up with demand and coundnt feed off me. It was hard work. Do I want a bm necklace, no. If you do go for it.

PrimalLass · 29/04/2016 15:53

You've lost the plot.

You've done so well, but I can honestly say that once the baby hormones are out of your system you will think WTF and never wear it.

MistressMerryWeather · 29/04/2016 15:58

I'm almost phobic about things like old milk and wet cheese so this sort of thing give me the heebie-jeebies.

What about a nice locket with a picture of you and her when she turns
6 months? Something really fancy that will last forever.

DS1s colic was legendary, I want my fart in a locket.

MooPointCowsOpinion · 29/04/2016 16:02

Ick @ the suggestion of a carton of formula. Fucking helpful and considerate.

Now I know it's dried and in resin I'm totally ok with this. No germs, no problem.

Shirkingfromhome · 29/04/2016 16:11

TinklyLittleLaugh perhaps you could get one of these made with your collection of teeth?

Original poster
SweetElizaRose · 29/04/2016 16:38

Well nowhere seems to offer a fart in a locket so there's a definite gap in the market there.

OP posts:
squoosh · 29/04/2016 16:40

Yuck.

Pinkheart5915 · 29/04/2016 16:49

You've done amazingly well to express for 19 weeks. I am still breastfeeding ds (7 months) and I express often but couldn't only express for 19 weeks, so hats off to you!

If you really like the breast milk jewellery then treat yourself, it wouldn't be my thing but if you like it all that matters.
Other option tell your dp/dh you need a diamond for all the expressing you've done

Ilovetorrentialrain · 29/04/2016 16:57

I'm so cynical but do they really just use what you send them? Not to my taste but jewelley is so personal how can it be unreasonable? Go for it if you like.

Expressing for 19 weeks must be so hard, you've done fab!

Dakin1 · 29/04/2016 18:03

Hey well done for keeping up the expressing, if you want a keepsake then go for it. Did you and DD avoid the chicken pox in the end btw?

TwentyCupsOfTea · 29/04/2016 18:20

That's bizarre.

If you are hankering for 'proof' as it were, or a reminder of how well you did to breastfeed then good news! Your child will forever be a reminder of proof of your parenting Smile

Blu · 29/04/2016 18:25

Lol it's hideous and naf!

Bead: fine.

Or freeze your milk into a sculpture of your baby's mouth, a bit like Marc Quinn's frozen head made from his blood.

I do think you should treat yourself, or otherwise mark everything you are proud of / have achieved, and good for you! Smile

Original poster
SweetElizaRose · 29/04/2016 18:35

No it's not proof - it's more like I think I will find it hard to say that's enough and stop the expressing. The last breastmilk feed will be hard. Is that weird? Dd won't know or care but somehow it matters to me.

OP posts:
StuntNun · 29/04/2016 20:04

Having spent years of my life breastfeeding, the idea of being able to keep a memento really appealed to me. DS4 is my last baby and I know it will be difficult emotionally when he weans off the breast.

ALongTimeComing · 29/04/2016 20:08

Yes celebrating what you've achieved is awesome.

I exclusively expressed for a week and it is so so tough so you have done so well. Thankfully we got up and running after that.

I don't know if I'll be using milk diamonds or JoBri milk charms but I'll be joining you. At least three of my friends are doing the same so it's absolutely becoming more popular.