BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Breastfeeding Medicinal Uses of Breastmilk

Did you know that Breastmilk was useful in all kinds of ways besides just feeding your baby (as if that isn't enough!)

See my article on "Medicinal Uses of Breastmilk" and share your own stories or questions here...

Medicinal Uses of Breastmilk

Nicki

We've used breastmilk to ward off pink eye before with VERY good success! When my kids were exposed to chicken pox and my daughter was only 3 months old I also expressed milk to give my toddler son to keep him from getting it.

(I figured Brianna would be safe enough from nursing that the one-time exposure we had wouldn't effect her. BUT if Evan got it the more constant contact might be too much for nursing to prevent her getting it and I thought she was too young at that point to have chicken pox) That also seemed to work well - at least, we didn't have chicken pox!

Yet another nice article from Nicki! Thanks, Nicki!

So, I have a couple questions . . . first, I assume that since you wrote the article and since you are very well educated on the subject, that you also did your homework? I don't see much research behind your statements about the medicinal aspects of breastmilk. Is that just because not much exists? Could you point me in the direction of finding more information? Thanks!

Also, I am wondering, when using breastmilk for topical treatment, does the breastmilk have to be "fresh". I have "old" stored milk that I won't feed to my dd for fear that it has gone bad, but I haven't discarded it yet (oh my liquid gold!) because I'd like to use it topically, but am not sure that is a good idea either (since it's so old). Any thoughts?

THANKS!!!

Anythingforbaby,

Thanks for your kind words, and sorry for my delayed response.. I've been away on a short vacation and then came home with two sick kiddies.

To be honest, most of this article was written from my own personal experience, as well as just a store of general knowledge from LCs and breastfeeding support groups I've attended. But you ask an interesting question. I'll try to poke around and see what I can find over the next couple weeks. I suspect no one out there is paying much to research the wonder of breastmilk... I doubt formula companies are ponying up the dough (or at least publishing the results when they research how to try to match it)!


Regarding older milk.. I doubt you'd find a definitive answer on that one. It's always been my understanding that the fresher and closer to the "source" the more robust, vitamin and immunity-rich and healthy the milk is. Refrigerated next, frozen next. I imagine frozen and older..down the line. But I certainly wouldn't think it's valueless. You could certainly give it a try.

Also, regarding FEEDING older milk. I certainly can't make a personal recommendation on what you feed or don't feed your baby and whether it is safe (disclaimer...disclaimer!!!). However, I will pass on what an LC told me once. She said that the worst thing that would happen if you fed your baby old milk is that he/she will throw it up. Just like if you drank sour milk. She said you won't give them any debilitating or fatal illness or anything like that. I imagine from this that if you try it and you don't get sick, you might be ok... and I can't imagine how it would hurt to try it topically or for some of the reasons I listed.

Any doctors or LC's want to chime in on this one?

Nicki