Cafe LaLeche Information Library/Archives

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

 Conjuntivitis / Pink Eye and Breast Milk Treatment

There is a fair amount of clinical research as well as anecdotal evidence regarding the efficacy of breastmilk for treating conjunctivitis. Here are some links for you to research. It is always best to check with your peds first before starting home treatment. Hope baby feels better soon.

Healing with Breastmilk (includes citations to conjunctivitis research
Lactation Consultant on Conjunctivitis and BM treatment

Breastmilk has been used by mothers (probably for many years) to treat infectious conjunctivitis. Secretory IgA is an immunoglobulin, present in colostrum and mature human milk. It has been found to inhibit the adherence or bacteria to mucosal surfaces and limits bacterial colonization of the eye. I have not seen a plan outlining treatment of pink eye with breastmilk so I can not make any recommendations.You might want to share the references (below) with your HCP and discuss the possibility of treating pink eye with "breastmilk eyedrops" in the early stages. Frequent and careful hand washing is very important! Viral conjunctivitis is contagious for around 10 days from it's onset. Avoid touching and rubbing the eye, sharing towels and washcloths, and change pillow cases each day. A newborn with conjunctivitis needs to be evaluated immediately.

Also see your Health Care Provider if you or your child experiences any of these symptoms: Change in vision (such as blurred vision) Yellow or greenish discharge from eyes Very strong sensation of a foreign body in the eye An elevated temperature, or feeling ill, in general References: Cugalj, N. 1984. Current Considerations in Neonatal Conjunctivitis. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery 29(3):197-204. Ho, P. 1978. Human colostral cells: Phagocytosis and killing of E. coli and C. albicans. The Journal of Pediatrics 93(6):910-915. Lawrence, R. 1989. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, Third edition. Singh, M. et al. 1982. Human Colostrum for Prophylaxis Against Sticky Eyes and Conjunctivitis in the Newborn. J of Tropical Pediatrics 28:35-37.