Help for thrush........breastfeeding a 2 Week old........extreme Pain.

M.
There is a lot or previous advice on here about breastfeeding try searching for that. And I agree with the other posters about the a babywise schedule. Breastfeeding at 16 days really needs to be on demandfor the baby's happiness and also to keep you milk supply up. The pain should subside soon as your nipples get used to the feeding.

1 mom found this helpful

Baby wise schedule for feeding is not a good idea with breast-feeding. Breast-fed babies sometimes need to eat more often and will be miserable if you don't feed them when hungry. I know it seems daunting with the pain you are having, but you will get through this, very soon! Bless you for breast-feeding, the healthiest choice for baby!
Here's some things that help with yeast problems in the body, like thrush. Try to limit your sugar intake. For best results, don't eat sugar til this clears up. Yeast feeds off sugar. Eat lots of veggies and protein. And get your body's supply of probiotics up. You can buy a probiotic supplement at the health food store refrigerated section. If you buy it powdered you can put a dab of the powder on your nipple for baby to take in with your next feeding. And you follow directions for adult intake for yourself. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria your body requires and normally has in the digestive system to keep yeast down to a balanced amount. you could eat plain yogurt, another source of probiotics. Flavored yogurts are too sugary and will defeat the purpose.
Breathe deeply. you will get through this.

1 mom found this helpful

The medication will stop the yeast from growing for both of you. It is very important to continue treatment til it is all gone. Make sure you swap his whole mouth with the drops. Use your finger if need. Letting your breast air out between feedings helps. Sounds strange but it does help. Both my girls had thrush and me. 2-3 hours between feeding is too long for a 16 day old. I know it hurts but feed on demand at this age. Worry about a schedule once he is past the newborn stage. If the thrush has not cleared up in a week or so call the doctor for an appt. to look at his mouth.

1 mom found this helpful

Terri is right-keep up with the meds just as prescribed to keep it from coming back. With regard to Baby Wise-your little one is far, far to young to try anything like that. I don't care what people say who have used it. Baby Wise is not truly compatible with breastfeeding in my opinion. You can not schedule a breastfed baby for feedings. They process breastmilk far different than a formula fed infant. Right now he is trying to regulate your supply and if you are scheduling him he can't do that effectively. By feeding on demand he will get your body to make just what he needs. That could be part of the source of some of your pain. He will naturally develop his own schedule for feedings and it will become more consistent. Toss out the Baby Wis schedule and feed your baby on demand. You both will be happier for it.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi,
So sorry to hear you have thrush issues. I am a mom of 6 and ALL of them have had thrush. My oldest boy was the most difficult, I believe, because of my ignorance of the issue. Anyway, I found that, while VERY MESSY, gentian violet works. Also, I found that you MUST throw away all nipples (except your own of course LOL)but pacifiers and bottle nipples. It is my experience that boiling does not work! My pediatrician has said it is safe but he doesn't recommend it because it is so messy. You can usually get it in a health food place. I just swabbed my nipples and the inside of the baby's mouth with a Q-Tip covered in the gentian violet twice a day. IT WILL STAIN ANY THING IT TOUCHES. It will eventually come off of yours and baby's skin but I'm afraid to say any clothes it is permanent. Also the spit up will be purple. I used to put a bib on a baby only in a diaper when I would apply it. Make sure to use breast pads for yourself and change them every feeding as moisture breeds the yeast. I would do that whatever treatment you choose. I hope you are able to take care of it soon. It is painful!! Good luck!

Hi!

Hang in there. once you get past that 4 week mark you can do anything...just keep saying "one more week" and before you know it several months will go by. i had high sensitivity and would actually cry from the pain. I almost quit many times but i had great support. so hopefully you will get some encouragement that you need here. it does get easier.

Please ditch that awful book. listen to your baby and you both will be just fine.

good luck, congratulations on your new blessing and remember ..."just one more week"

I hope you 2 are better now.

Gentian Violet WORKS! I encourage you to use it.

Wish you well,
Susan

I hope everything is better by now. If not, It can really relieve the nipples a bit if you pump everyother feeding, and feed the milk to your baby with a bottle. I didn't have thrush but my nipples were soo sore and pumping helped alot. Also, nipple shields help alot.. because it helps pretect the nipple from the yeast.

I haven't read the advice others have given you. I experienced the same thing and it was excruciating, and we did pass it back and forth for a while, my nipples would bleed during nursing. I ended up pumping until it was cleared up (that hurts, too, but for me it hurt less than actual nursing with the cracked nipples).

Hi M.,

I wanted to echo some of the other comments...
I had a similar experience with my daughter also while following the Baby Wise method.
I was advised to eat NO sugar, take a probiotic (look for acidophilus capsules at a health food store), air my nipples as much as possible and clean them before and after feedings with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. I kept the solution in a little bottle next to where I would nurse and use a clean washcloth each time.
You're right, the pain is intense! It would take my breath away each time she latched and I would usually yelp a little!
I was also told I could break open the acidophilus capsule and mix a little with water and rub it in my baby's mouth.
I would also recommend that you seek out some other lactation experts. It turned out we DIDN'T have thrush and the lactation consultant determined the pain to be from an overactive letdown. You can try massaging your breast in a warm shower...maybe a duct is clogged??
I know it's painful and difficult, but stick with it! This is one of the best things you can do for your little baby and it WILL get much easier!
I wasn't sure I could stick it out but and so glad I did and am sad she has now weaned!
Best of luck!

i don't have experience with thrush, but i did want to give you a link to some info the babywise controversy:

www.ezzo.info/Aney/tulsakidspart2.pdf

as a psychotherapist who has worked with many children, i have felt myself and heard from others that it is a very dangerous book for parents as it can cause problems with trust and bonding, and is developmentally inappropriate in many of its techniques.

good luck!

eat no sugar, check out WestonPrice Foundation.com
Get a great probiotic- I'd rely on your closet health food store and mega dose it get an aloe plant break a leaf , and use that on your nipples and no sugar-Your Immune system is pooped- you need to eat really well WestonPrice'll help w/ that
best, k

ok I don't want to get into a babywise debate...
this mama asked for help with THRUSH.

you ask how to stop it being passed back and forth? BOTH you and baby need to take diflucan! otherwise, you'll keep passing it back and forth.

I see you're in miami: get to Mercy Hospital's Lactation Services and see FAITH PLOUDE, IBCLC!!! Even if Mercy is far for you, GO. She will SAVE YOU. seriously, she is the 'guru' lactation consultant of Miami and totally saved me!

In the meantime: The La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline US began on June 1, 2007. Everyone in the U.S.A. has access to toll free breastfeeding help 24 hours a day. Just call 1-877-4-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324).

Hang in there! Please do not give up!!!

Hello! My baby and I struggled with thrush terribly, as well. What worked better for us (after 2 months of nistatin) was gentian violet. Some consider it an old-timey remedy with doubtful properties, but it worked for us like clockwork. I had to apply the blue-colored substance all over the inside of my baby's mouth, then put her to the breast once per day for three days running. Since the stuff stains powerfully, I had to wear work clothes and keep the babe in only a disposable diaper. Of coures, this only took care of the mouth, but that's where your pain is coming from.
We found gentian violet at a pharmacy, but I suspect one would have to order it in advance in most cases.
GOOD LUCK!

Hi M. - I'm so sorry you are going through this, it is extremely painful! I had this myself when my son was born so I know what you are going through. My advice would be to apply the nystatin drops to yourself as well so that area is treated. Also, make sure and finish your prescriptions, even if you start feeling better before they run out. I had to go through two rounds of the diflucan because the thrush was not completely gone like I had thought. Good luck to you, it will be well worth it to push through this unfortunate set back. Take care

I haven't read all the previous post so I hope I don't repeat anything... I am a CLC and had many many weeks of pain that went undiagnosed (correctly) for about 8 wks and the pain was REALLY bad when I showered. It was horrible when they latched but once the were on it was a little better. Turned out I had eczema.

It might not be thrush. Unfortunately thrush is over diagnosed. I have a few questions that will help me help you. Feel free to email or call me. I will add those at the end I dont charge for phone or email help. I only charge if I have to come to you.

Have you or baby been on any antibiotics?
Do you have fair skin? Light or red hair?
Have you ever had ANY eczema?
Do you have any open sores on your nipples?
WHEN exactly does it hurt??

You can try some OTC cortisone cream and as long as there is 30 min between you applying it and feeding you dont have to wash it off.

As for the schedule... I would try to feed on demand at least for the first few months and especially the first few weeks as it helps to build y
ou supply.
My name is Patty my # is ###-###-#### (I am in Tampa) email is ____@____.com

My daughter had thrush and it kept coming back for almost two months because of the breastfeeding. What finally worked for us was gentian violet. It will stain things purple, but it worked very well. You paint the inside of the babies mouth and your nipples with it and that's all...just watch out for the staining effect. It is a natural remedy that works great!!

Thrush is horrible! I went through it several times off and on with my second. I blame it on getting antibiotics during my labor for GBS+.

Dr. Jack Newman, a breastfeeding specialist in Canada, recommends the following cream. You'll need to get it compounded at a pharmacy, so ask your dr. to prescribe it. My cousin used it and it worked wonders!

http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/breastfeeding-treating-...

Eat yogurt a couple times a day and that will help. There are also foods you should avoid but I can't remember what they were because it's been so long. But you can Google it and I am sure you will find your answers.

First of all congrats on your baby and bravo for breast feeding. Keep it up! sorry you're in pain. I strongly suggest you immediately stop all yeast, flours, and sweeteners from your diet. Also get a very good (preferably dairy free) pro biotic with lots of strains. The more strains the better. Take a good dose daily. This will filter through to your son through your milk and you will both start feeling better.
Most moms deal with pain the first several weeks of nursing and that's simply because our nipples aren't used to it. It will go away, I can promise you that.

Hang in there! Keep up with the meds and try to wash everything in HOT that comes in contact with the thrush areas on you or the baby....including your shirts, bras, towels, everything! Use only liquid soaps as yeast can live on the bar soaps. Try to go without hand towels until it's clear...use disposable paper towels. Disposable nursing pads are best too, but change often so nothing breeds. A lot of open air time does wonders too.

As for schedules....I would avoid the book 'Baby-Wise' and any other baby-training books like the plague! As most lactation consultants and nursing mothers will say....it can be the doom of a successful breastfeeding relationship, as well as just cause confusion to a newborn babies natural time clock. Babies eat when they are hungry, not because they can tell time. Every baby is different....some eat every hour or 1 1/2 hrs, some eat every 3 hours and all babies go through changes such as growth spurts and developmental changes that have them eating more often or less often many times in their first 2 years. The best way to bond with your little one and to nurse when they will really need it most is to listen to them and get to know them. Let your baby lead you and tell you when he needs something, not a stopwatch. Baby-trainers that write these books are misleading new moms into following these schedules, clocks, charts and books rather that just watching and learning about each other and providing what each other needs.... right now your baby needs to nurse on demand (whenever he is rooting, sucking, crying) anytime of the day or night. If you ignore his signs and only allow him to eat based on a stopwatch he will stop following his own bodily signals and lose confidence in his own knowledge and in his caretakers.... Unfortunatley that crazy book is always right out in front in most baby sections, very sad. I would HIGHLY recommend the books by Dr Sears instead, check them out! Just feed your baby whenever he wants....geesh, my 1st nursed every 1 1/2 hrs for the whole first year....my pediatrician says that she just has a high metabolism. I can't imagine what I would have put her through if I had forced her to wait 2.5-3 hrs for her next meal. I don't think it's healthy for anyone, baby, kid or adult to only eat on a schedule and most health care providers and nutritionists say eating many meals rather that fewer bigger meals is healthier....

Hang in there, this will pass, you can do it. Love on your little one and let him nurse whenever he wants :-)

I got the same thing when I was brestfeeding and it does take a few days to clear up if your sons doesn't look better I would call the ped on Monday and they can give him something else. I am not brestfeeding anymore and my son got it again and they gave him a different prescription and it has almost completely gone away in 2 days. For you I know how painful it is and just be sure to air dry your nipples when I was home with just the baby because I have a 3 year old as well I would just go topless to ease the pain. Gooodluck and stay with the brestfeeding I quit and wish I hadn't.

Honey, I pray for you...ask your doctor, lactation counselor and google "LaLecheLeague" about certain foods that may be aggravating and what foods will alleviate the yeast in your systems.
Yes, your breast are going to hurt, especially at first; but once you get into a routine (which will change often), you'll find yourself a bit more relaxed...god bless

I would highly recommend emailing Dr. Jack Newman for a script for his All Purpose Nipple Ointment. He's very well known in Canada both for his awesome breastfeeding support and advice as well as for the APNO. Any compounding pharmacy will be able to make the ointment and he'll provide the script within a very short period from emailing him.

What I'm not sure about is whether or not a pharmacy here can accept the script given that Dr. Newman is in Toronto, Canada. I know he also provides the recipe, and it's listed in the link below, so perhaps your doctor could also write a perscription.

http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=...

Edited to add - I completely agree with the poster (Heather) above me who suggests getting rid of the Babywise. Nursing on demand sounds negative, but in the grand scheme of things I've found it leads to much less stress. If you watch for your sons feeding cues; rooting, tongue thrusting out, trying to suck on anything he's close to, bringing his hands to his face, and try to get him to the breast before he's upset, you'll both have a far easier time latching.

Dear M.,
I never respond to these things but today I had to!!!I have two kids ages 7 and 3. I went through what you are going through twice. From what I recall, I had to take the diflucan for about 21 days or so. If you call your lactation consultants they will know the exact dosage for you and your baby. You might need to have your lactation consultants call your doctors back. I do remember that you and the baby have to be treated at the same time so that you will not continue to pass it back and forth.

One thing that helped me was I had to cut out all sugar from my diet. They put me on a very strict diet and it really worked. I also lost a ton of weight which was a great bonus:) I also had to take acidolpholis. Ask your lactation consultants if you can take advil for the pain!!!

You're getting close to the 3 week mark which means your baby might be going through a growth spurt. He might be hungry more often than every 3 hours:(

Hang in there!!!! It might get worse before it gets better:(I know what you are going through and you can do it!!!! Just take one day at a time. Being a mommy is the hardest job in the universe but your sacrifice will so be worth it:)

My heart goes out to you!!!!Hang in there!!!!!

V.

M.,
Follow your instincts and what your baby is telling you. He needs food more than every 2.5 to three hours right now if he's asking for it which is what it sounds like is happening. I promise it gets better. He's figuring all of this out too. Keep taking your meds and the thrush will go away. There will be a day soon when you will not have painful breasts and nursing will be the joy it's meant to be for you both. Stick with it and trust your instincts. The book is a good resource, it is. But listen to your baby's signs.

Did the Dr. tell you that thrush is a yeast infection? And yeast is in the fungus family. Fungus is fed by sugar and carbohydrates--especially refined carbohydrates. Your diet is the key to control. And if you take an antibiotic you will feed the yeast as antibiotics are made from fungus. No breakfast cereals except oatmeal, no breads or crackers or cookies or sodas. Even fruit and white potatoes for awhile. And more bad news: yeast infections can be traded back and forth during sex. Your husband needs the diet and medications also or you will get cleared and he will give it back to you. You all need to eat probiotics for a long time! Yogurt , kefir, capsules, sauer kraut. I have been thru it and still fight it since I am diabetic. Diabetes is caused by fungus.

Dr. Atkins' diet is a yeast free diet. Yeast makes you gain weight! A website that gives a lot of good information: Know The Cause.com
Feel free to e-mail me.
Love and Luck,
M.
P.S. For sore nipples try aloe vera gel, castor oil, emu oil. Be sure to wash your nipples before nursing. Castor Oil is a laxative and the aloe and emu oil will have an unpleasant taste.

Are you a member of a breastfeeding support group like La Leche League international? I don't know what I would have done without them. They also have excellent books like The Womanly Art of GBreastfeeding which became my bible during those years. After successfully breastfeeding three children for what many would consider too long, I considered myself somewhat of an expert. Well, pride comes before the fall. My fourth child did not latch on correctly and failed to gain weight. Docs wanted her to be hospitalized and wanted to take her off breast milk. Thank God I ran into a LLL mom at a homeschooling meeting. She spotted the incorrect latch. It took a while to recover the lost weight but my now 15-year-old eventually became a little roly poly breast fed baby. We never had thrush but I'm sure there are many in LLL who could help you. Also, be sure the baby is lying completely parallel to the floor and with their face looking directly at the breast rather than tilted toward your face. When they're a little older, they can nurse from any position, but when they are new to it it is easier that way. I do seem to remember that sugar feeds yeast, so try to cut that out completely (including natural sugars and fruit or white flour) and get plenty of rest. Also keep nursing! It is the best thing for you and your little one. And it is a short commitment in the course of a lifetime. You will never regret it.
J.