Thrush when breastfeeding?

Question

My baby is one month old and he has thrush in this mouth. I called the doc to get medicine for him. I am nursing and my question is how can I tell if I have thrush or yeast infection on my nipples? What are the symptoms?What can i do to treat my breast?

Answer 1

In the mother, possible symptoms of thrush include: prolonged or sudden onset of sore nipples during or after the newborn period (your nipples may be pink, flaky, crusty, and itchy, or red and burning), cracked nipples, or a vaginal yeast (monilial) infection. An intense stabbing or burning pain in one or both breasts during or shortly after feedings may mean that a secondary yeast infection has developed within the milk ducts. This seems to be more common if mother or baby has been on antibiotics (because antibiotics kill the beneficial bacteria in the body that keep yeast under control) or if the mother has had cracked nipples (the fungus can enter the breast through the cracks). Thrush is more likely to develop if either mother or baby has been treated with antibiotics, the mother's diet is high in sugars, the mother has diabetes, or the mother's resistance is low, due to fatigue or other health problems. And what mother isn't batteling fatigue?!? Fortunately, the treatment for thrush need not interfere with nursing.

The first step in treating thrush is to contact a health-care provider. Mother and baby need to be treated simultaneously for at least two weeks, and breastfeeding need not be affected. In Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, Ruth Lawrence, MD, recommends doctors prescribe liquid nystatin for the baby's mouth and a nystatin cream for the mother to apply to her nipples and areolae (the dark areas around the nipples). Nystatin pills or liquid for the mother may be necessary if deep breast pain develops or if the thrush recurs after a full course of treatment. Some strains of thrush have become resistant to nystatin, so if the nystatin does not bring relief, other drugs may be necessary. Over-the-counter preparations and other prescription drugs are available and may be used on the recommendation of a health-care professional. In mild cases of thrush, once treatment has begun, relief may be felt in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In severe cases, the symptoms may take three to five days to disappear. It is important that the medication be continued for the entire time recommended, since the thrush may recur if the medication is stopped when the symptoms disappear.

When treatment for thrush is started, the symptoms may seem worse for a day or two before they improve. To help speed relief, try rinsing the nipples with clear water and air drying them after each nursing, as thrush thrives on milk and moisture. Before the pain is gone, the following suggestions may help make nursing more comfortable: offer short, frequent feedings; nurse first on the less sore side (if there is one); and break the baby's suction before taking him off the breast by gently pulling on the baby's chin or by inserting your finger into the corner of his mouth.

For further information, go to the La Leche League website (http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBthrush.html) or call a local La Leche League leader (http://www.lalecheleague.org/webindex.html).

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

My daughter just recenty had thrush and I had it on my nipples too....they were very sore and I had a red prickly rash on them.....make sure to wash them at least once a day or a few times after nursing and you can use the babies medicine on them as well.....I never contacted my doc about it I used a thing called Gentian Violet its like an iodine.....i cotton swabbed it in her mouth right before nursing then i also put in on my nipples.....my nipples were better with in a week and her thrush was gone in 3 days.....I prefered this because it was a natural way to get rid of it.....just be sure to keep your nipples clean and dry and it will help.

Answer 4

Whether it's Thrush or a Yeast infection, the BEST product is Gentian Violet. You can buy it at Walmart or any drug store like that. I Breastfed six children and didn't find it until my last baby, who is 8 mo. old (still nursing). I think this is some of the Best stuff, the only draw back is Cosmetic, Your baby's mouth is Purple for a couple of days. But it clears up QUICKLY.

Answer 5

If your de gave the baby some cream for his mouth you could put some on your breast too. Often the mother doesn't feel anything and other times it could be a burning feeling. Complete the whole cycle of the meds to make sure it gets all the way out. Good luck. Don't stop nursing as it will cause engorgement and make your breast hurt more.

Answer 6

Your nipples may be really sore, and could have the white rash on and also could bleed. I had thrush with my first child and it was really painful. They have medicine for your nipples, you just have to be careful with your feeding times around the time of using the medicine.

Good Luck, and congrats on the little one!

Answer 7

You need to BOTH be treated, even if only one of you has symptoms. Otherwise, you will most likely just pass the infection back and forth.

TONS of good info at the link below on preventing and treating thrush for both of you.

Answer 8

Holistic Yeast Infection Cure Secrets - http://Trust.YeastCured.com

Answer 9

Yeast Infection Cure Secrets : http://YeastCured.uzaev.com/?xnLP

Answer 10

you can use the same mediation on your nipples that he is using,