How to Fight Thrush While Breastfeeding

Thrush can be a very painful condition for the breastfeeding mother. Thrust is caused by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans (yeast) and often affects the nipple and milk ducts as well as the mouth and diaper area of the baby. You might be more susceptible to developing thrust if you recently took antibiotics (maybe during labor), you have cracked nipples or you are taking oral contraceptives. Thrush is very difficult to treat and you must be persistent.

Instructions

1

Know the signs of thrush. It is very easy to have thrush in the early weeks of breastfeeding because of the sore, cracked nipples caused by the mother and baby learning to breastfeed. The pain is often described as a severe burning sensation in the nipple and sharp, shooting pains deep in the breast after the feeding is over. The nipples may also be itchy, red and shiny, flaky, or present a rash with tiny blisters. If you experience these symptoms after many weeks or months of pain-free breastfeeding, it it likely that you have acquired thrush. If you have rechecked the baby's latch and pain is still persisting beyond two or three weeks after birth, then you should consult your doctor or a lactation consultant to get diagnosed.

2

Signs of thrush in the baby include white patches in the mouth and/or a diaper rash that is patchy red with lots of little red bumps.

3

Cut back on refined sugar and eat yogurt with probiotics (or take probiotics in capsules). If the baby is old enough (8-9 months), he or she should also eat yogurt. Yeast thrives on sugar so don't give it an opportunity to keep spreading and get worse.

4

Change your breast pads/bras often to prevent the spread of the thrush.

5

Wash and boil bottles, pacifiers and breast pump parts thoroughly after each feeding or pump session.

6

Use gentian violet, which is an over the counter anti-yeast treatment. You can swab the baby's mouth with gentian violet or use it directly on your nipples. See the resource article for more about gentian violet.

7

You can also use Lotrimin or Monistat (both sold over the counter) on your nipples but make sure to wipe it off before breastfeeding your baby.

8

If you get no relief after trying these home remedies, then you will probably need to see your doctor and get a prescription to really attack the thrush. The good news is that the thrush usually goes away by the end of a two week treatment.