Human breast milk is essential for the infant’s survival and growth  right after birth and is a formidable source of nutrition for early human survival.

It contains about 87% water, 7% carbohydrates, 1% protein, 3.8% fat, vitamins (A,Bs,E..)and a good number of useful electrolytes. It also contains growth factors.

Recent studies have confirmed the presence of rich and diverse microbial communities in Human breast milk and the genera staphylococcus and streptococcus maybe universally predominant (normal flora).

Human breast milk contains special particles called  microRNAs which are known for immunoprotection and developmental programming.

HOW HELPFUL IS HUMAN BREAST MILK TO THE BABY’S EYES?

All the nutrients in breast milk are essential for the baby’s entire body including the eyes (Fig 1).

 

 

These nutrients build and develop the eyes through the blood stream when it is absorbed into the body and some filtered out through the aqueous humor . A healthy baby will consequently have healthy eyes.

HOW IS THE EYE PROTECTED?

Protection of the eyes is achieved through the following

Lids closure when need be and Blinking reflex  that help spread the tear film.Production and regular replacement of the tear film that lubricate the ocular surface

The tear film which is a combination of secretions of the meibomian glands(lids), lacrimal glands and goblet cells(conjunctiva) that trap and kill pathogens at the ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva)

The aqueous humour and blood stream that  provide a defense response to potential microbial invasion (Fig 2).

 

SHOULD BREAST MILK BE DROPPED INTO THE BABY’S EYES AS TREATMENT FOR CONJUNCTIVITIS ?

Cornea and conjunctiva are constantly exposed to the atmosphere and are susceptible to catch many microbial infections such as conjunctivitis .

In Cameroon, Some  mothers especially those with first babies think and believe that dropping breast milk into their baby’s eyes can treat any conjunctivitis .

Unfortunately ,cornea does not have any internal protective mechanism and depend on the lids and conjunctiva for protection ;In babies ,  The conjunctiva which is very vascular is still developing and immune protection is not at its best  .

It is not rare to see, babies with eye infection such as conjunctivitis from intrauterine infection or from the mother’s urinary tract during birth .Sometimes those germs are very virulent .

Dropping Human breast milk into the baby’s eyes causes absorption of all the above nutrients found in Human breast milk in to the permeable conjunctival blood vessels providing a favorable medium for bacterial growth(milk becomes food for the microbes ) causing the already existing infection to exacerbate.

Preexisting germs in the breast milk and those on the conjunctival surface add their aggressivity ,multiply  and make the infection severe ,even sight threatening.

Although many mechanisms seem to protect the eye and its surface , those mechanisms are not at their best in small babies .Putting Breast milk in the eyes of children is running the risk of worsening the condition of the child .It is therefore not a safe practice and should not be encouraged.

DO NOT PUT HUMAN BREAST MILK IN THE EYE AS TREATMENT FOR CONJUNCTIVITIS IN BABIES .

 

Mr Tata Julius

Ophthalmic nurse

Bonaberi Baptist Hospital

Supervision : Dr E Kamdem

Reference

1-https://lactamo.com/blogs/the-circle/breastmilk-composition-a-guide-to-the-nutrients-in-breastmilk?

2https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8562/6ee8ff10a8d13513ad91e4d9bfb5d8f60db7.pdf