Well, I didn't do much blogging over the weekend because my little munchkin was pretty sick. I noticed on Friday that he was nursing more than usual. Usually I notice this before one of two things. Either he is about to have a growth spurt, or a sickness of some kind is being fought off. This time, it was the latter. By Saturday afternoon, he had a fever of 102-103. Normally, with a low grade fever, I try to wait it out and give his body time to fight whatever it has. When the fever rises to that level however, I don't hesitate to give him some tylenol. I did that in this case, and while he had the tylenol in him, you wouldn't know he was sick. Each time the tylenol wore off though, the fever was back! I noticed him tugging at his ears so I figured he likely had an ear infection. I decided that I would put my milk in his ears and see how he did over the weekend. If his fever was still around by Monday (today) my plan was to take him to the doctor. I hate watching my kid feel awful. I pumped into an empty infant tylenol bottle and used the dropper to put a few drops into his ears every few hours. Within 12 hours of starting that, his fever broke and he is his happy, chipper self without the tylenol. I'm keeping an eye on him today, but I think it's pretty safe to say he is over the worst. I've used breast milk to medicate my kids on several occasions now, but each time I am awed and amazed at how effective this miracle "juice" is. I tell you... the Lord knew what he was doing when he created our bodies. So, newly inspired, I thought I would share a few of the ways one can use human milk.
Pink Eye:
Squirt a tad of milk into the effected eye. I did this with my son when he was a new newborn. He had an eye infection... it was really goopy and within hours of applying some milk, it started clearing up (with full recovery by 24 hours)
Ear infections:
See above
Bug Bites:
Rub a dab of milk on the bite to sooth itchiness and speed up recovery
Diaper Rash:
Promotes healing of diaper area.... wash with breast milk at diaper change time. HOWEVER, if baby's rash is caused by a yeast infection, breast milk can make it worse... be sure your baby does not actually have a yeast infection before washing.
Chapped lips:
rub on dry, chapped lips. (Also works for dry, chapped nipples)
Sore throat:
Got a sore throat? Gargle breast milk. It helps heal the infection and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Contact Lens solution:
Forgot your solution? Use breast milk! It will get them just as clean and moisturize your eyes in the process
Facial Cleanser:
Makes a great, moisturizing, nutrient rich make-up remover.
Homemade soap:
- 2 cups vegetable oil (such as olive, coco, canola, cocoa butter, etc.)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup lye (solid NaOH)
- 1 cup breastmilk
Heat oil to 115°F. In a glass measuring cup, add lye to water. (Not water to lye). When the solution reaches 115°F, add to oil. Stir until the mix is silky; then add milk. Color will change; it is normal. Stir until you get instant pudding consistency (this is what we call "trace"), approximately 60 to 45 minutes. Pour in moulds. You can use almost anything, like muffin tin or cookies tray. Take care to not use metallic material. Let sit 2 or 3 days, until you can unmould soaps easily. You have to let your soap "cure" 4 to 5 weeks, until it becomes neutral. You'll get approximately 12 2-oz soaps.
Just for fun:
Vanilla Breast Milk Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup breast milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3 strawberries, hulled and chopped up
- 1 1/4 cups icing sugar
- 1/8 cup breastmilk
- 1/8 cup half-and-half
- 1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 muffin cups with liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder until well mixed.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt and breast milk. Beat in the vanilla. Pour the batter into the muffin cups.
Bake the cupcakes until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Cream the butter until it is pale and fluffy. Add the strawberries: beat for 30 seconds. Then add the icing sugar, 1/2 cup at a time until well blended. Add the breast milk and cream, alternately by spoonfuls, beating until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and place a piece of strawberry on the top of each.
So see? Breast milk is truly a wonderful and beneficial part of our bodies! If you make tons of it... I encourage you to look into this:
