Thrush During Breastfeeding

Updated on September 05, 2011
A.G. asks from Boca Raton, FL
6 answers

Me and my 6 week old baby have thrush. After experiencing immense stinging pain in my breast after feeding that wouldn't subside I searched the internet and figured it out. Took baby to pediatrician Sat morning and they confirmed and prescribed 1ml nystatin 4 times a day. She tends to spit it out and I am sure she is not getting the full dose. My doctor's office won't be open until Tues and
I am in sooooo much pain. Had a diflucan 150 pill and took it yesterday and another today. What is typically the course of treatment for baby and mom? I have mostly been pumping the left breast because latching on makes it unbearable. any suggestions from experience would be greatly appreciated.

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C.C.

answers from Tallahassee on

Oh, honey, I know the answer. I suffered for nine months with thrush, tried everything from nystatin to gentian violet to diflucan.

Buy a gallon of white vinegar. In a bottle, mix one part of vinegar with five parts water. Using a cotton ball, dab it on your nipples (I'm starting with this first, since it will give you IMMEDIATE relief). Drench them if you like. It won't hurt. It won't stain anything. And it will feel cooling instantly.

Right before nursing, and right afterwards, do the same ritual. It won't taste particularly fantastic to your little one, but she'll drink anyway. Then, once you've drenched yourself, take a cotton swab (Q-tip) and rinse the inside of her mouth with the solution. She won't like it either, but it won't hurt her at all, I promise.

I had relief within minutes. And after dabbing several times, the pain was almost entirely gone. Fungals are hard to get rid of, though, so keep using the solution with every feeding for at least a couple weeks, then keep it on hand, so that if you feel even a twinge of pain, you can instantly cool it. I've told this to several women on Mamapedia, and they all write back and tell me it worked.

Wash your bras the laundry with a cup of vinegar in the load. And be sure to tell your doctor--and make sure your doctor tells every other doctor he/she knows. Nothing works this well, but Diflucan is expensive, so its pharmaceutical reps are going to push it. But this really works, I swear!

I feel for you, for I still remember that horrible pain. Try it right now if you can. You won't regret it.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Youngstown on

I had this and it is the worst. It took forever to get rid of it. My doc said that the nystatin I put on my nipples was good for the babys mouth. My baby wouldn't take a bottle so I had to nurse throught the pain. It stinks. There are some natural remedies. Messy though. I also went to a vitamin shoppe and got an acidophilis(sp) pill specifically for yeast on the breast. It helped so much. Good luck I have been there it stinks.

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Decrease your sugar intake, drink lots of non sugary liquids, wash nipples off with vinegar after each feeding and go buy some gentian violet from a health food store or pharmacy as well as some probiotics for yourself!!

For usage of gentian violet check out the www.kellymom.com website, it's a wonderful reference!! You pretty much paint your nipples with it before a nursing session as well as the baby's mouth. The purple color may stain most fabrics... so be careful of that one issue.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

When my second one would end up with thrush I ended up using the gentian violet. Took maybe a max 48 hours to clear it up. The nystatin took forever, mainly because they add sugar in it to make it palatable - which doesn't help any because the yeast/thrush thrives on sugar. Just a word of warning with the gentian violet... it WILL dye anything and everything purple. I had to throw out one of ds's cute outfits... even spilled it once on a counter... yikes! If you can buy it in a water base. I could only find it in the alcohol base and simply used a q-tip. Dunk the q-tip in, let it dry out, dip in in a bit of water and use it. When you wipe it on your nipples let it dry, use the nursing breast pads that are used to absorb milk from leaks to protect your bras.

Keep up with the diflucan... what little crosses over in the breastmilk will help baby too. But you do need to start taking a probiotic with it and for a week or so afterwards so the yeast doesn't rebound.

Ditto about the diet changes. I was also told to give my nipples lots of air, even to get a little bit of sun if/when possible. kellymom.com is a great resource for nursing moms and has been around for years!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

For your baby mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a small cup of water & swab baby's tongue with a q-tip 3 or 4 times a day. It should clear up within 48 hours. For you mom take a tablespoon of coconut oil daily & also apply it topical. Totally safe for baby.

J.S.

answers from Portland on

So sorry. I had thrush (somehow not my baby) and it was so awful. The only thing that worked for me was this: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=... (Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment)

Also, a bad latch can exacerbate things. Maybe check in with La Leche League or a good lactation consultant for tips. One other thing that eased the pain somewhat was to adjust positions (ie football hold) sometimes.

Hope it's over soon! Don't give up on the boob!

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