Breast Milk for Ear Infections?

DG3

It has been awhile since I've been on here - "The Babies on the Brain" board is gone...so I'm posting here.

Has anyone ever tried putting drops of breast milk into a child's ear for an ear infection?

Did it work for you?  Any tips?

MrsBrownsFan

I think the BOTB board is over on The Bump now.  There is also an Eco-Friendly Family board over there that might give you more answers.  I myself have never heard of that, but I also have never had a baby to try it on.

jebuell

Babies on the Brain

The Eco-Friendly Family

 

They may be able to help you!  Personally I think you'd have better luck on EFF for this subject.  

Joenali

Please don't put anything in your baby's ear unless directed by a doctor to do so. Even if the internet chat board says it's ok. Ear infections are nothing to mess around with. Yes, mother's milk is best... but only to drink.

suzymarie

Yup. I've done it.  Also you can put a few drops in their eyes for pink eye.  It seemed to help with the pink eye for me, the ear infection (only ever had one) got worse and we had to do antibiotics, but it was well worth the try.  Now holding down a squirmy toddler and trying to squirt milk into his ear was a trick. 

 

And if you are nursing a younger baby, you can put a little milk in your older child's ears/eyes too. Or pump a little for them to drink in a cup if they are coming down with a bug.

 

Joenali

suzymarie:

Yup. I've done it.  Also you can put a few drops in their eyes for pink eye.  It seemed to help with the pink eye for me, the ear infection (only ever had one) got worse and we had to do antibiotics, but it was well worth the try.  Now holding down a squirmy toddler and trying to squirt milk into his ear was a trick. 

 

And if you are nursing a younger baby, you can put a little milk in your older child's ears/eyes too. Or pump a little for them to drink in a cup if they are coming down with a bug.

 

Seemed to work great! I have had ear infections my whole life, never put anything in one's ear unless directed to do so by a doctor. That just seems bizarre to me that you would even think to try.

Jen&Joe06

Our pedi and MW recommended it for the eyes and up the nose (congestion) but never for the ear.

kchick

Typical ear infections (as most people think of them) are in the middle ear, ie. on the other side of the ear drum.  Unless there is a perforation in the ear drum, anything put in the canal will not reach the infected area anyway.  If there is a perforation then DEFINITELY DO NOT put anything in the ear unless told to do so by a doctor.  Antibiotics reach the infection through the bloodstream.