Thrush in nipples - HELP!

Naomi - posted on 09/09/2009

Oh yeah, with the butt rash, cloth diapers are supposed to be better for that and help to get rid of it...just a thought. (though if it's really full on you probably need to keep using creams too)

Naomi - posted on 09/09/2009

I definitely sympathise with any breastfeeding mother out there who is dealing with thrush. My son is now 7 months old and we have battled it on and off the entire time. I was in pain for the majority of the first 4 months of breastfeeding, to the point of being one feed away from giving up on breastfeeding entirely, many many times and many tearful breastfeeding sessions!

Yeast is a very hardy organism. Medications kill off the yeast, but if there's any left at all, it just grows back. We treated multiple times with Nystatin, the infection came back everytime. If your pain is going away with treatments, it's very likely it is a yeast infection. From doing a lot of reading, Diflucan is a much more effective treatment than nystatin. What I've found is that most doctors don't have an understanding of how to treat thrush infections in nursing mother and child. It's very frustrating. La Leche league have some suggestions for treating thrush on their webpage. Just google La Leche. These include wiping a vinegar solution on your nipples after every feed to change pH so it's harder for yeast to grow. I also washed all his toys that went in his mouth (which at this age is everything!) in vinegar.

We are now without health insurance as my husband has finished his job, and I started getting symptoms again (my son didn't always get visual symptoms-but would fuss during feeds) so looked other ways to treat. Yeast infection occurs as a result of an imbalance in the body's natural bacteria. So you can get rid of it by completely killing it off with medication which seems to be very hard to do, or try and restore the bacteria. I was eating yogurt everyday. We finally had a breakthrough when I discovered that you can get baby yogurt for babies 6 months+, with both my son and I taking yogurt, I also put some miconazole cream on my nipples, we haven't had any more trouble (so far).

Hope this helps! I am very passionate about helping out nursing mothers trying to sort out thrush as I've had such a hard time with it, and would have given up completely if I didn't have support.

Jessie - posted on 09/08/2009

Quoting Anna:

If it is thrush, eat lots of a good quality natural acidophilis yogurt and put some on your nipples.

such as Activia? and how much is lots? I'm having similiar problems and willing to try anything. my doctor suggested I may have to stop breastfeeding altogether and put my baby on formula so he doesnt have a sore bottom anymore. I do not want to stop after only 8 weeks but feels so bad about his sore tushy!

Jessie - posted on 09/08/2009

I am currently having a very similiar problem with my 8 week old son. after 5 weeks on nystatin oral, a nystatin triple cream for his bottom and also bactroban ointment for his bottom. today my dr gave my two treatments of diflucan (one today, one next week) I tried the diflucan a month ago and my pain went away but the babys sore bottom did not until we tried the bactroban. now however we are both flared up again and in pain! the baby dr advised me to only use the 2 creams and no longer the oral since it hasnt worked. I am hoping to learn from everyones posts.

My baby also does not have thrush in his mouth..he has been checked by doc a few times. the problem is his poor little butt is full of open sores that look like popped blisters. i know it is painful for him as his cries at the slightest diaper, wet or messy. I really need to know how to get rid of it on his bottom. the bactroban ointment almost had it cleared up 2 weeks ago, there were only 2 sores but in the last week have came back...I think because I also got it back in my nipples?? the

Jessica - posted on 09/07/2009

My son and I had two horrible bouts of thrush where I would cry at every feeding, it was so horrible. His pediatrician gave him medication and my doctor told me to put vagisil on my nipples since it is a type of yeast infection. You can even put it in the fridge so it's cool when you put it on, it feels sooo good! If its not thrush then I recomend Lansinoh!

Anna - posted on 09/06/2009

If it is thrush, eat lots of a good quality natural acidophilis yogurt and put some on your nipples.

Caitlin - posted on 09/06/2009

I had horrible thrush until my daughter was 6 months. What eventually helped was Walking around in the house without a shirt, airing out my nipples and sunning them at least once a day. I know it sounds simplistic but it really helped. I had tried all of the things you tried but this was all that helped.

Good Luck!

Debbie - posted on 09/06/2009

Here is a link to an article by Dr Jack Newman that really helped me with an intense battle with the yeasty beasties!



http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_...



http://nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_cont...

Jodie - posted on 09/06/2009

I posted some links that have helped me finally begin the process of getting rid of my yeast rash...I've been battling it for over a month and it got to the point where I almost switched to exclusively pumping because it was so painful...some nights i'd cry when my DD would latch on, it was miserable! Anyway, the big points are that you have to continue to treat your nipples and/or baby's mouth for 2 weeks AFTER symptoms are gone to completely get rid of it. Also, if you're pretty certain it's yeast and not just soreness, I wouldn't use the lanolin because it'll just provide that warm, moist environment yeast loves to live in. i've heard very good things about Dr. Jack Newman's nipple ointment...the recipe is on that 2nd link (you have to go to a compounding pharmacy cuz they have to mix it from scratch...and if your doc's never heard of it before, you can take him a printout of the ingredients and he/she shouldn't mind prescribing it for you). I use cotton breast pads full time and air out my nipples whenever I can, especially after each feeding. One more thing...my DD never had symptoms of thrush in her mouth, but I've treated her with the nystatin this whole time regardless, and although the bottle says to give it to her every 6 hrs, i give her .5ml every 3hrs instead since yeast grows back in about 2hrs. Hope all this helps and good luck!



http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html...



http://www.kellymom.com/newman/c-candida...

Stefani - posted on 09/06/2009

Biogaia has a product for each. My ped did not specify. Check out the company web site. They claim 30% less crying in infants who received it.

Lisa - posted on 09/06/2009

Hi Amy- I had thrush in my nipples with my oldest daughter. Every time she nursed it felt like little stabbing knives. ouch! At the time, I did not have health insurance, so I went to a naturopath physician at the local whole foods store. He prescribed a topical lanonin with some other stuff mixed in and Pao D'Arco tea. Pao D'Arco tea is amazing and is being studied for its use as a pain medication in cancer and other illnesses. Also, if you have thrush, which is a yeast, you have to stop feeding the yeast. Which means, no sugar, no bread, no milk products.
Good luck and I hope you find an answer soon. Nursing in pain is no fun.

Jessica - posted on 09/06/2009

I don't see that you've tried Lansinoh Lanolin. When my daughter was teething my nipples became sore and raw and I nearly cried every time she latched on. After a couple of applications (right after feeding, rub a good amount on, and let yourself 'air out' for a minute) I was so relieved I think I was purring!



DO try a dermatologist. They know all the bumps rashes and yeasts :) I know, I used to work for a dermatology clinic.

Schmoopy - posted on 09/06/2009

Quoting Stefani:
Another thing to try is a recommended product from my pediatrician. It's called Biogaia. You get it special order from your pharmacy but does not require prescription. It is a probiotic. My friend tried it and saw results. Worth a try.

Is Biogaia for me? The baby? Both?

I appreciate the feedback - I'll try the dermatologist route.

Stefani - posted on 09/05/2009

Agree with other post dermatologist but also my friend was told that whatever you get prescribed, double it. Meaning if you get a week prescrip and you feel better, tell your doc you are not better and get another week. She says this is the only way. Also you should be treated same time as baby and for same length of time.

Another thing to try is a recommended product from my pediatrician. It's called Biogaia. You get it special order from your pharmacy but does not require prescription. It is a probiotic. My friend tried it and saw results. Worth a try.

Meikjn - posted on 09/05/2009

go to a dermatologist!!!! it may not be thrush at all. I had a problem with exema on the breasts with two kids, and it took a couple off bad diognosis' and many innefective medicines. and in the meantime i had such sore nipples. if the treatment is not working try a new diagnosis. if you cant afford it right now, try petrolium jelly after each feeding, and avoid irritations like rubbing from towels etc. a dermatologist will be able to tell if it is thrush because it has clear symptoms. if the baby is not getting it, and you are experienceing redness, it may not be thrush ( but I am not an expert)

good luck I feel your pain.