Babies who are breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses. Mom can also receive many benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and ovarian and breast cancers
Breastfeeding Awareness Month—every August—is designed to bring attention to and understanding of this most valuable feeding technique. In the aim of providing interesting facts about breast milk, below are some surprising ways that breast milk can be utilized, beyond feeding a baby.
Interesting and Effective Uses for Breast Milk—Aside From Lunch!
From the minute your baby is born, you’re deluged with things you never worried about before: what if she gets sick? What if he gets injured? What if she ends up in the wrong career? Among those worries is a desire by many parents to make sure that baby is exposed to natural remedies over harsh chemicals, whenever possible.
From a feeding point of view, it’s well known that “breast is best” for baby for at least six months and can help prevent or minimize a host of illnesses, for both you and your baby. However, did you know that you can deal with other ailments with breast milk too?
Breast milk has a host of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are tailored to a baby’s needs. Like what?
Anti-inflammatory properties—
If your baby has an eye or ear infection, including pink eye, try pouring some breast milk into a dropper and putting some in your baby’s eye or ear a few times a day. The infection will diminish as will the soreness that comes with it.
Fighting bacteria—
The bacteria that cause diaper rash or yeast infections in babies is hard to manage, but breast milk comes to the rescue! Just apply some to baby’s bottom to treat a rash. It can also be applied regularly, as a preventative measure.
Soothing irritated skin—
Many babies have sensitive skin: they react to things like detergents or soaps more than adults do and are prone to skin conditions like eczema or rosacea. One way to deal with these is to apply breast milk to the skin, much as you would a pharmaceutical ointment. It will work wonders! And if baby gets a bug bite? Breast milk will help soothe the itch and speed up healing.
Another skin condition that is fairly common is baby acne. While this is normally a condition that is left untreated, breast milk applied to the affected areas will help to clear up much more quickly.
Sunburn emollient—
As much as you will try to avoid it, sometimes it happens: baby gets a little overexposed to sunlight at the pool and their sensitive skin gets a little burned. Not to worry! Breast milk will help soothe the skin and help it heal naturally and quickly.
A natural solution for cradle cap—
Most babies end up with the scaly build-up on their scalp. It’s nothing to be concerned about but removing it needs to be done correctly in order not to damage the hair follicles. The best way? Apply breast milk to the area, which will loosen up the build-up and then use a comb to remove it.
The Ollie Swaddle was created by Hindi Zeidman who invented the life-changing item for a baby boy named Oliver, her foster baby that wasn’t thriving. The Ollie Swaddle is the Smart Swaddle that helps ensure baby feels calm, peaceful and comforted. It extends the duration of sleep for all babies (including preemies and high risk), reduces fussiness, and helps baby self-calm. The elasticity allows for freedom of movement while the opening at the bottom makes it easy to change diapers. Its patented, buttery soft moisture-wicking material supports the health and development of your little one from day one, keeping baby comfortable and cool. For more information, visit https://theollieworld.com.
