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Breast milk heals pinkeye

If you develop pinkeye, simply squirt a little breast milk directly onto the surface of your eye. Lift your eyelid slightly to help the breast milk circulate underneath.

Continue this treatment three times a day for a couple of days, or until the eye infection has cleared. If your symptoms persist or worsen, though, seek medical advice.

Helps Sore Nipples

If you are just beginning to breastfeed, than you are probably pretty familiar with the common complication of cracked and sore nipples.

Before your nipples begin to toughen up, they can become quite raw as a result of the force of your baby’s mouth during feedings.

Lanolin and other creams can be effective in reducing the pain and in helping to heal any cracked skin. However, because of the antibodies that breast milk contains, breast milk itself can also be effective in reducing pain and healing cracks.

Simply apply a thin coating of breast milk to your nipples and allow them to air dry. The antibodies will kill any infection that may be beginning in your nipples and will encourage your body to heal any sore spots.

Breast Milk and Serious Disease

There is also some evidence that breast milk can help lower both you and your baby’s risk of some serious diseases. Babies who are breastfed appear to have lower incidences of childhood cancers, such as leukemia.

Studies have also shown that breast fed babies have a lower risk of developing heart disease later in life. A recent study showed that adults who were breastfed as children had lower systolic blood pressure rates. The longer they were breast fed, the lower their risk for heart disease was.

Breastfeeding has also been linked with a decreased risk of breast cancer. Women who breastfeed appear to be less likely to develop breast cancer later in life.

However, this is not because of the properties of breast milk but rather, the act of breastfeeding itself. Breastfeeding limits a woman’s exposure to estrogen, a hormone that often feeds breast cancer cells.

Breastfeeding may also change the way cancer cells are able to grow in the breast, preventing these mutating cells from multiplying.

Is Breast Milk Safe To Use?

You may be a little put off about using your breast milk to help cure your or your children’s illnesses. Rest assured however, breast milk is extremely clean and sterile for use. Just make sure that you store your breast milk correctly, as you would for feedings.

It is important to keep in mind that breast milk may not be 100% effective in ending infections or illnesses. For this reason, keep a close watch on infections and be sure to seek appropriate medical treatment if the infection does not resolve itself promptly. Never rely on breast milk as a cure for serious illness or disease.