17 answers

Have U Ever Dropped Breast Milk in Your Childs Ear for Ear Infection?

I think my 4yo DD may have an ear infection. Tuesday night she had a 100.3 fever and yesterday said her throat hurt. She was only a little lazy yesterday and today acted nearly back to normal. But then tonight she said her ear hurts. She has never had an ear infection--no bacterial infection of any kind, so she's never been on antibiotics, and I would LOVE to keep it that way! I am still nursing my 17 month old, so tonight after my 4yo fell asleep, I put some breast milk in a dropper and put a few drops in her ear! ;) I've read to do that a few times a day and it would probably clear up any infection. Im also going to pump tomorrow & mix some with some cows milk to disguise the flavor (she doesnt like bm -not anymore!) ;) She has also been coughing & congested, but that's been going on for about 5 days--nothing serious, just a cold. But since she had the fever & now says her ear hurts, I think she developed an ear infection. BUT the fever is gone. I haven't taken her temp but she has not felt hot & I'm pretty good at feeling. I also read that most ear infections are viral & will go away without antibiotics. So, have any of you mommies used BM to help cure an ear infection without the use of antibiotics?

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thank you all for your responses! She is better!!! She would not let me put anything in her ears, so I had to wait until she was asleep, which meant I could only do it once a day. So 3 times total of putting BM in her ear, let her have a fever as long as she could stand it and it didn't get too high, and kept her from sugar and encouraged extra water & lots of rest! No more ear or throat pain & she is getting over her cough :) Of course praying helped too. I'm glad we didn't need to see the doctor this time!

Featured Answers

I think it depends on where the infection is.
If there's water in the ears (like swimmers ear) and got infected, then breast milk might help.
If it's a middle ear infection (fluid behind the eardrums), there's no way dropping breast milk into ears will reach the infection - the eardrum acts as a barrier.

5 moms found this helpful

I have heard of breast milk in the ears, and know several people who have used it, although I haven't. What I hado.ve used is mullein garlic oil in the ears -- works amazingly well. There's also another oil with garlic and some other herb. They're both marketed as eardrops for children. Garlic is an antimicrobial and works well against viruses as well as bacteria, unlike antibiotics. What I would do, if I were you, is take her to the pediatrician, get a diagnosis, and a possibly a prescription, but try whatever remedy you choose for a couple of days and see if there's any improvement -- if there isn't, or if she gets worse, then fill the prescription and use it. It's what I usually do, and with the symptoms you describe, it could just as easily be strep, which can get serious if left untreated.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

I think it depends on where the infection is.
If there's water in the ears (like swimmers ear) and got infected, then breast milk might help.
If it's a middle ear infection (fluid behind the eardrums), there's no way dropping breast milk into ears will reach the infection - the eardrum acts as a barrier.

5 moms found this helpful

Breast milk is a miracle fluid but I dont think I'd use it in ears. It's got a lot of water in it and could aggravate the problem further seems to me.
My home remedy for ear aches was a drop of vinegar and a couple of drops of warmed glycerine. If that didnt work, off to the doc we went for an antibiotic.

2 moms found this helpful

Try a little hydrogen peroxide in her ear. Have her lay down and turn her head to the side. Put a few drops in the affected ear for a few minutes then tilt and drain. My grandmother did this with my mom, and my mom with us. I do it with myself and my kids. It works, and pretty quickly too.

2 moms found this helpful

I had a lactation specialist tell me that in third world countries BM was used for eye & ear infections. I ended up getting a case of tinnitus & put some of my own BM in my ear and that cured it. Hope your little girl has a speedy recovery.

2 moms found this helpful

Our pediatrician once recommended mixing equal parts alcohol and white vinegar and putting a few drops in the ear a couple times a day. It has worked for us.

2 moms found this helpful

I have heard of breast milk in the ears, and know several people who have used it, although I haven't. What I hado.ve used is mullein garlic oil in the ears -- works amazingly well. There's also another oil with garlic and some other herb. They're both marketed as eardrops for children. Garlic is an antimicrobial and works well against viruses as well as bacteria, unlike antibiotics. What I would do, if I were you, is take her to the pediatrician, get a diagnosis, and a possibly a prescription, but try whatever remedy you choose for a couple of days and see if there's any improvement -- if there isn't, or if she gets worse, then fill the prescription and use it. It's what I usually do, and with the symptoms you describe, it could just as easily be strep, which can get serious if left untreated.

2 moms found this helpful

Well, first thing, I'd take her to the doc if you have any worries. Could be strep, etc. After a clear from the doc, do what you feel is best, but I've gone with antibiotics.

1 mom found this helpful

I have!! My three year old complained that his ear hurt on our way to a festival last year. He also had never had an ear infection or ever taken antibiotics so I panicked when I saw that it was really bothering him. I called my sister and she loves home remedies and she told me to drop breast milk (I was nursing my then 10 month old). It worked!! He fell asleep as soon as I did it and by the time we arrived at the festival about 45 minutes later he was fine. I couldn't believe it, my husband and I were truly amazed!

1 mom found this helpful

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