Breastfeeding:Thrush

How is thrush treated?

Breastfeeding in general

Breastmilk storage
Benefits of breastfeeding
Breastpumps
Duration of breastfeeding
Physical effects on mom
Letdown
Reasons for stopping
Return of the menstruation
Thrush
Nursing twins

What is Thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection (candida albicans) on the mother`s nipples and in the mouth of the baby.

Causes of Thrush
Thrush is more likely if the following risk factors are present.
Mother:

Taking antibiotics during or after birth.
Having a history of vaginal yeast infections.
Having diabetes.
Using corticosteroids.
Using oral contraceptives with estrogen.
Using nursing pads if they are damp and not regularly changed.

Symptoms of Thrush

Baby:

White patches in the baby`s mouth that do not wipe out.
Diaper rash that is bright red or raised red dots.
Gassiness or fussiness.
Clicking noises during nursing.
Pulling off the breast during nursing.

Mother:

Severely sore nipples, especially after a period of pain-free nursing.
Itchy, burning nipples.
Intense pain, radiating through the breast.
Shooting pains during or after feedings.
Extreme nipple sensitivity.
Vaginal yeast infection.

Treatment for Thrush

Refer the mother and baby to their health care providers for treatment. Treatment for the mother and baby must occur at the same time.
Treatment options include topical creams and oral medications.
Breastfeeding can continue during treatment.
For recurrent yeast infections, refer the mother to a lactation specialist.

How to Prevent the Spread of Thrush and Avoid Reinfection

Everyone in the family should wash their hands with hot, soapy water before and after diaper changing and using the bathroom.
Mom should wash her hands with hot, soapy water before and after breastfeeding and breast pumping.
Use paper towels to dry hands and throw away the towel.
Wash bra, clothing, breast pads, towels and washcloths daily in very hot water. Add 1 cup bleach to a standard size load to kill the yeast.
Change breast pads after each feeding or use disposable pads.
Boil breast pump parts, pacifiers, teething toys, bottle nipples in water for 20 minutes each day.
Throw away pacifiers and bottle nipple after 1 week of treatment and buy new ones.

Comments: Breastfeeding - Thrush

Comments 1 to 13 of about 13.
1

carebare4w - 221 days ago.
Yes I do! Ava has been on meds for about 2 wks and then it said to stop after 2 wks but I think she still has it it like won't go away.

Amy74 - 241 days ago.
I can't get rid of this with my son. It's terrible. I'm on my sixth week of meds with him. He's 10 weeks. Any one else have this problem??

ladyjaid - 250 days ago.
Plain white yogurt did the trick for me with my daughter, was gone fast in comparison the the green antibiotic I was to use.

threeangelsofmine - 300 days ago.
aprilraine...i know i'm a little late seeing as you posted your question 16 days ago but I used gention vilolet on all 3 of my kids. It works great and it also numbs their mouth so they can eat and not lose so much weight

PennyBell - 304 days ago.
my little girl has awful thrush. i've been reading on how to avoid getting it. One article said to sterilize and dry bottles. i sterilize her bottles by washing and boiling after every use but they are not all the way dry when i put them together ( i use dr. brown's bottles). could that have been part of the problem?

aprilraine - 316 days ago.
Is Gentian Violet still used to treat thrush? My mother said she swore by it during BF but I can't find much info about it now.

luvbeingamom - 317 days ago.
Gemma - It only takes 24 to 48 hours to clear BUT if you are not careful and steralizing everything that touches your babies mouth it will be re-infected and you will have to start over again. Good Luck i know it stinks!

Elliott-James-mummy - 317 days ago.
My baby has oral thrush and has been prescribed Nystatin. Does anyone know how long this can take to clear up?

luvbeingamom - 326 days ago.
Prego - With Thrush you need to make sure you are washing EVERYTHING that touches your babies mouth every single time he takes it out of his mouth, including you! Thrush is VERY VERY contaigous and can be passed easily. With that said just b/c your son has it doesn't mean you do. But you can take some of his medicine and rub it on your nipples to help prevent/cure yourself.

Brodys Mommy - 326 days ago.
I dont have any symptoms of a thrush & I dont have a yeast infection but yet my baby has thrush. How could that have happened? So because he has it does that mean I have it too? He also has a fever...ugh I just want him to feel better. He's not even a month old! :-[ the doctor gave him medicine that he has to take for two weeks but if I have thrush arent we just going to keep passing it back and forward if I'm breastfeeding him?!? If I kiss him can I get thrush? Help...thanks! btw: his doctor is out of town until Jan. 6 or else I wouldve asked the doc all these questions.

JAH - 340 days ago.
Does anyone use probiotics? I had just discovered them and started using them before pregnancy for recurrent yeast infections and wondered if anyone else is using them or has heard of them. I stopped when I found out I was pregnant, because I didn't know if they were safe to take. I've done quite a bit of 'research' on them and they're supposed to help regulate the digestive tract and prevent yeast infections, among other things. I started using Candex and switched to Florajen3, which seemed to work. Recently both companies have assured me they're safe to use while pregnant or nursing. Yogurt companies have also started promoting their beneficial probiotic culture ingredients like L. acidophilus, etc. (e.g. DanActive), and apparently they're popular in Europe?? There are several articles on the Internet about the benefits of probiotics when pregnant or nursing, such as preventing thrush or eczema. I also checked with my OB-GYN and though he wasn't overly familiar with probiotic use, he did say he thought it would be fine. After all, it IS the same stuff that is in yogurt only in a higher concentration!Check it out! It may help! (And, let me know what you think!)

mommymelzy - 354 days ago.
do you have to wash the nystatin off before breastfeeding your baby or is it safe to leave on the nipple during a feeding?

ashleyt - 358 days ago.
Please help me. I am strictly pumping (for babies milk) and have been for 3 weeks. I pump about 4-6 times per day. Yesterday when I got finished pumping I started to have a HORRIBLE shooting, stabbing pain in my left breast that didnt go away for about an hour and a hlaf afterwards. (IT WAS AWFUL!!!). The rest of the day, after pumping, it didnt come back but this morning, it came again. I also have a tiny white spot on the nipple tip now, it looks like a little dried milk that I could squeezeout, but I cant. The baby has no white in his mouth and the only symptom of thrush that he has is very bad gas. Does anyone else on here have the same problem? Any advise?