Your breastfeeding journey holds countless memories — from the earliest feeds to the final days of nursing. Turning a small amount of breastmilk into a handcrafted keepsake is a meaningful way to preserve a part of that chapter.
If you're wondering how to send breastmilk for jewelry, the process is easier than you might expect. You do not need to ship your milk frozen, use an ice pack, or prepare it yourself. Here's how the Love Catcher sample collection process works.
How Much Breastmilk Do You Need for Breastmilk Jewelry?
We recommend sending approximately 10 mL of breastmilk.
This small amount is enough for us to preserve your sample and create your breastmilk jewelry.
Please do not overfill the collection bag. Adding significantly more than the recommended amount may increase the risk of leaking or bursting during transit.
If you have slightly less than 10 mL available, don't worry — contact us and we can let you know whether the amount you have will be sufficient.
Can I Use Frozen or Previously Stored Breastmilk?
Yes.
Your breastmilk does not need to be fresh. We can work with:
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Fresh breastmilk
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Refrigerated breastmilk
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Previously frozen breastmilk
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Thawed breastmilk
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Older or expired breastmilk
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Breastmilk that has developed an odor
As long as the sample does not contain mold, it can generally still be used for breastmilk jewelry.
For many mothers, this means that even a small bag of breastmilk that has been stored in the freezer for months or years can become a meaningful keepsake.
Step 1: Wait for Your Breastmilk Collection Kit
After your order is placed, Love Catcher will send you a Breastmilk Collection Kit with the materials and instructions needed to prepare your sample.
Until you are ready to fill the collection bag, we recommend keeping your breastmilk refrigerated or frozen.
Step 2: Add Approximately 10 mL of Breastmilk
When your collection kit arrives, follow the included instructions and add approximately 10 mL of fresh or thawed breastmilk to the provided collection bag.
There is no need to fill the bag completely.
Please avoid adding more than the recommended amount, as overfilling may increase the risk of leakage during shipping.
Step 3: Seal the Collection Bag Securely
Carefully seal the collection bag according to the instructions provided with your kit.
Our breastmilk collection bags contain a preservative designed to help stabilize the sample during transit.
Once the milk has been added to the collection bag, refrigeration is not required during shipping.
Step 4: Label and Pack Your Sample
Make sure your sample is clearly identified with your name and order number, following the instructions included with your kit.
Place the sealed sample into the provided return packaging.
This helps us correctly identify your breastmilk as soon as it arrives at our studio.
Step 5: Send Your Breastmilk Back to Love Catcher
Follow the return shipping instructions provided with your kit and in your email.
U.S. customers: A prepaid return shipping label is provided. Please check your email for the return label and shipping instructions.
Canada and international customers: Please check your email and the instructions included with your kit for return shipping information.
There is no need to use dry ice, an ice pack, insulated packaging, or overnight shipping unless we specifically instruct you otherwise.
Do I Need to Dry or Preserve My Breastmilk Before Sending It?
No.
Please do not dry, dehydrate, bake, or otherwise preserve the breastmilk yourself.
Simply send the breastmilk according to the instructions included with your Love Catcher collection kit.
After your sample arrives, our artisans will complete the preservation and curing process needed to prepare it for your jewelry.
Does Breastmilk Need to Stay Cold During Shipping?
No.
Once your breastmilk has been placed into the provided collection bag containing preservative, it does not need to remain refrigerated or frozen during transit.
This means you do not need to send it with ice packs or dry ice.
Can I Use Formula Instead of Breastmilk?
Yes. Formula can also be used to create a keepsake.
However, formula has a different composition from breastmilk and contains fats that may behave differently during preservation. As a result, formula-based keepsake stones may have a greater chance of developing a yellow tone over time.
If you are considering using formula, feel free to contact us before placing your order.
What Happens After Love Catcher Receives My Breastmilk?
Once your sample arrives, we carefully identify it using your order information and prepare it for the preservation process.
Your breastmilk is then cured and dried into a preserved material that our artisans use to handcraft your keepsake.
From there, your jewelry moves through our normal crafting, finishing, and quality-control process.
Because every piece is individually handcrafted from your own breastmilk, natural variations in color and appearance are part of what makes each keepsake unique.
A Small Amount, Preserved as a Lasting Memory
You don't need an entire bag of breastmilk to preserve this chapter of your life.
Just 10 mL is enough to begin creating a keepsake designed to hold a memory of your breastfeeding journey for years to come.
If you have questions about your sample, an older bag of breastmilk, or whether the amount you have is sufficient, please contact Love Catcher before sending it. We're happy to help.
