While doctors have been saying for quite sometime that breastfeeding your baby has a gazillion and one health benefits for your baby, many doctors agree that breastmilk could also help with common ailments – colds, ear infections, scrapes, you name it! According to Dr. Basil Bruno, a pediatrician in New Jersey, breast milk offers cures to several maladies. Feeling a little stuffy lately? Drop two drops of breast milk into each nostril and then blow (or use an aspirator). Have a kid with a scrape? Breast milk is naturally antibacterial and antiviral, so rub it on the abrasion instead of Neosporin. A drop of breast milk in each eye twice a day can even, apparently, alleviate pink eye!
Even patients with more invasive conditions are trying breast milk as a remedy. Some cancer patients drink breast milk regularly to increase their immune system and for its nourishing qualities. “We’re noticing an increase in the number of patients who are adults and children who have a variety of types of cancer who are using human milk,” said Pauline Sakamoto of Mothers’ Milk Bank. Mother’s Milk Bank provides breast milk to over 60 cancer patients, each with a doctor’s prescription. All this milk donated to adults, however, gives some milk donation advocates a startle. According to Dr. Pamela Berens with the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, there is already a shortage of breast milk as it is. Yet another precious, natural resource to be appreciated! Still, before trying breast milk as a remedy, contact your doctor to be sure its the best option for you.