Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland

Karcz, Karolina; Walkowiak, Mateusz; Makuch, Julia; Olejnik, Igor; Królak-Olejnik, Barbara

doi:10.3390/ijerph16101715

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Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland

^1,*

and

Barbara Królak-Olejnik

Department and Clinic of Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland

Neonatology and Neonate Intensive Care Students Scientific Association, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland

Department of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(10), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101715

Received: 14 March 2019 / Revised: 10 May 2019 / Accepted: 14 May 2019 / Published: 16 May 2019

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Abstract

The use of home remedies for the treatment of moderately severe ailments is a common practice in the Polish population. Currently, the topic of the potential non-nutritional properties of human milk is attracting the attention of breastfeeding mothers. This study was aimed at understanding lactating women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-nutritional breast milk on mucous membranes. The study was conducted among lactating women, who filled out a questionnaire consisting of questions about their knowledge and experiences with non-nutritional use of human milk. Statistical calculations were conducted with chi-square test and c-Pearson coefficient. A total of 1187 women were acted on, whereby 768 of respondents claimed to have knowledge of the non-nutritional use of human milk on mucous membranes, whilst 404 of them claimed that they had used at least one method. Among the most frequently used methods were the treatment of rhinorrhea, lacrimal canaliculi obstruction, and conjunctivitis. A correlation between length of breastfeeding (p < 0.001) and knowledge of non-nutritional human milk usage in prophylaxis and treatment of mucous membrane inflammation was found. Breastfeeding duration (p < 0.001) and parity (p < 0.005) were correlated with the application of those methods in practice. Due to a high propensity to testing those methods, parents’ education in the field of possible risks and importance of medical consultations is necessary. View Full-Text

Keywords: breast milk; milk therapy; mucous membranes

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Karcz, K.; Walkowiak, M.; Makuch, J.; Olejnik, I.; Królak-Olejnik, B. Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101715

AMA Style

Karcz K, Walkowiak M, Makuch J, Olejnik I, Królak-Olejnik B. Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(10):1715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101715

Chicago/Turabian Style

Karcz, Karolina, Mateusz Walkowiak, Julia Makuch, Igor Olejnik, and Barbara Królak-Olejnik. 2019. "Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 10: 1715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101715

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