Applying breast milk to a baby's eyes is a traditional remedy sometimes used to address minor eye irritations. However, it's crucial to understand that this is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a doctor if your baby has any eye issues.
How to Apply Breast Milk to Baby's Eyes
If you choose to use breast milk, follow these steps:
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Cleanliness is Key: Wash your hands thoroughly before expressing breast milk. Use a clean, sterilized container or dropper to collect the milk.
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Gentle Application: While your baby is closed eyed, gently place one or two drops of fresh breast milk into the inner corner of the eye. When the baby opens their eyes, the milk will naturally distribute across the eye's surface.
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Monitor: Observe your baby closely after application for any adverse reactions.
Important Considerations:
- Not a Cure-All: Breast milk may provide some relief for minor eye irritations, but it's not a treatment for serious infections or underlying medical conditions.
- Consult a Doctor: If your baby has persistent eye discharge, redness, swelling, or any other concerns, immediately consult a pediatrician or ophthalmologist. They can accurately diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate treatment. A blocked tear duct, for instance, may need different management strategies (see Millennium Park Eye Center).
- Fresh is Best: Use freshly expressed breast milk for application to the eyes.
One study (Efficacy and safety of breast milk eye drops in infants with eye) suggested breast milk may be as effective as other solutions for eye discharge in infants under 6 months, but this doesn't negate the importance of professional medical evaluation. Another source (Using Breast Milk for Eye Infections - Growing Healthy Together) emphasizes that breast milk is not a suitable treatment for colds or blocked tear ducts.
