Oral Thrush and Breastfeeding

Probiotics (acidophilus) are a beneficial bacteria that inhibits the growth of yeast. They are taken orally, often in capsules for adults and powder that can be added to juice or milk for little ones. There are varieties made in powder form just for children and babies, sold at places like Central Market and Whole Foods or health/vitamin stores.

This is also a good supplement for regular use, not just combatting yeast infections, because the amount of sugar in our diets promotes yeast growth, and this is a good regular defense to help our digestive systems overall. I would do more research on it (candida overgrowth, probiotics), as there's volumes available covering the topic.

Good luck! By the way, kellymom.com gives tips on this very thing and several ways to treat it.

I think you can get a prescription for nystatin ointment for your nipples. It's probably the same thing they gave the baby. For the yeast diaper rash, the nystatin works, but Lotrimin AF will also take care of it. You can get it over the counter at walmart or any drug store. It's with athlete's foot and antifungal creams. I think you only use it twice a day -- the pediatrician should be able to tell you how often. This worked much faster than the nystatin for both my kids.
Also, this is really common and has nothing to do with cleanliness. Don't worry! It will go away soon!

Hi T.,
I have my Pedi RN hat on as I answer this....
First you need to call your MD and ask about getting a prescription for your nipples. There is a cream you can use that will help treat/prevent yeast. Some other things you can do:
In addition to the medical treatment, there are other steps you can take.

Wash all bras, bra pads, nightgowns, etc (anything that comes in contact with your nipples) in HOT water with bleach and dry on hot in the dryer or in the sun.
Rinsing your nipples with a vinegar and water solution (1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup water) after every feeding is helpful. Use a fresh cotton ball for each application and mix a new solution every day.
Some women add acidophilus supplements (40 million units per day) to their diet.
Some women find that reducing yeast and sugar in their diet helps.

For her diaper rash- soak her in a tub w/ baking soda added (approx 1 cup to a tub of water. Use the blow drier on low heat to dry her bottom. 2-3X a day you can put Lotrimin or any of the womens over the counter yeast infection creams (just toss the vaginal squirt thing and use it as a cream).

This is common in infants and I am sure you are keeping her very clean! The diaper area yeast actually comes from swallowing the thrush stuff in her mouth!

Please feel free to e-mail w/ any questions!
D.
____@____.com

Dear T.,
I feel for you. My son also had thrush but he had it at 12months, for his first b-day. The doctor prescribed oral medication for his mouth and told me to put some on my nipples as well, he was 18 months when I weaned him off. It did take about 1 1/2 weeks for it to go away. You can also try probiotics in her cereal. I would buy it in powder form at the pharmacy in Kroger or any pharmacy. It is sold over the counter but they only had the caplets on the shelf. That helps with the yeast infection because it balances the good/bad bacteria her body needs.I hope you guys get better soon.

I had the same problem with my son at about the same age. Nystatin did nothing for either of us. What worked extremely well was Gentian Violet. It does not require an Rx and is usually behind the counter at the pharmacy, because it will stain anything it comes into contact with. You should call around to find a pharmacy that has it. It only took a few applications in my sons mouth and on my breasts to clear up the problem. So, we didn't have to tolerate the bright purple too long. But, again, it will stain all fabrics, so wear an old nursing bra and watch where the baby drools.

I think my son originally got it as he had been on abx for a respiratory infection.