Thrush - Louisville,KY

Thrush is extremely common and it's also miserable so take the antibiotics. Thrush is an infection that won't go away on it's own.
I went through this. I had never even heard of it until my baby and I had to be treated. She is 24 years old now and perfectly healthy.
You really will get through this.
Take the antibiotics, don't be afraid to give them to your baby if it's prescribed. I only went through one bout with it and we never had it again.

I wish you the best.

My son got thrush when he was about 2 weeks old and we had to go through two rounds of medication with him for it to go away completely. I was really concerned, because it was effecting his eating. But, his pediatrician said not to worry about it, that thrush is actually very common. About 1/2 way through the second round of medication the thrush was gone. My son is now 3.5 months old and he has not had any problems with it since.

I get thrush every single time I have to be on antibiotics. It is so miserable. I get it in my mouth just like babies do. The only thing that helps prevent it that I know of is probiotics. Yogurt with active live cultures is a good way to get these, but there are supplements that can give you mega-doses of them. Ask your doctor tomorrow if there is a brand that they recommend and to make sure they are safe to take while breastfeeding. You will probably be able to find them at GNC or health food stores. If nothing else, make a container of yogurt part of your daily diet. I always start taking a supplement before starting the antibiotics now, and they really help.

Thrush is just a yeast infection in the mouth. I'm not sure what is safe to use on your breasts or while nursing, that is why I am saying to ask the doc. Good luck!

Probiotics are huge in boosting everyone’s immune systems and preventing infections, including yeast infections!! You can look for foods that are high in probiotics, like yogurt, but I suggest taking supplemental probiotics. I have found that the Florify brand of probiotics is great and VERY affordable.

If you can avoid the antibiotics, then don't take them. I have to be DYING before I take them, because they mess me up. Eating yogart helps get good bacteria in your body to fight the yeast of thrush.

Breastfeeding can be very painful even without the thrush in the first month, but it does get better. You sound very dedicated!! I never want to make moms who didn't breastfeed feel bad, but if you can work through this difficult time, it will get easier! I worked FT and breastfed my son until he was 14 months. I am 3.5 months into my daughter, so I am in the trenches with you!!!

Bein' a mom is hard!! BEST WISHES TO YOU!!

Hi there,

My son had thrush after I weaned him (so weird, but perfect timing I guess) so i didn't catch it. It went away for him after two weeks but I still continued to sterilize everything for a month afterwards. The doctor said it can be so difficult to get rid of and just when you think it's gone, it's back! So frustrating!

They only idea I have for you is probiotics. They maintain the good bacteria in your gut. When there is too much bad bacteria, it takes over and allows yeast to THRIVE. They especially recommend taking these whenever you are going to start antibiotics, so you don't get a yeast infection. I don't know if you are allowed to take them while breastfeeding, but I don't imagine why you wouldn't be able to.
I am also considering giving them to my son who is 17 months old, to help with his digestion.

It's something to consider. I wish you luck!

Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. I also give my son probiotics like crazy when he's on antibiotics to avoid yeast issues (also helps w/ diarrhea). I'm not sure if you can use while breastfeeding, but would strongly recommend them (check with doc first I suppose).

I had thrush with my oldest daughter. I used gentian violet to get rid of it because the drugs never seemed to fix the problem, it just kept coming back.
Gentian violet is available at the pharmacy. It's an over the counter medication so you just have to ask for it.
Basically, the safest/simplest way to use it is to paint it onto your nipples before bed. Sleep topless and cover your sheets with a towel you don't care about. The stuff stains like crazy. When baby nurses his mouth ends up coated in the stuff, so he has a purple tongue/cheeks/lips. That's exactly what you want! Within a few days your thrush will be gone and you'll both be cured. Only use it till the thrush is gone (basically you are pain free and baby doesn't have white blotches in the mouth anymore)
You can put it directly into baby's mouth with a cotton swab, but I preferred this method, it's easier and worked like a charm.
Just remember to keep washing/sanitizing everything for a while until you know you're cured!
Good luck!

Hi Wes,

I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with thrush. My youngest and I both dealt with yeast when she was 2 weeks old, due to an unnecessary round of antibiotics. It can be very troublesome to eliminate. I think you'll find this link and the suggestions offered helpful.
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/yeast.shtml

Here are some suggestions that I found helped us overcome the yeast.
NO SUGAR of ANY kind, you may need to avoid fruit for a short while. Your diet is absolutely essential if you're going to beat yeast. Avoid any processed foods with added sugars and yeast in them.

Grapefruit seed extract 250 mg 3 or 4 times a day.

Coconut oil has anti fungal properties and can be used topically and ingested.

Start taking probiotics and giving them to your baby too. I doubled up on mine and took them in the morning with a glass of water and 30 minutes before breakfast; then again at night 2 hours after dinner.

Eat yogurt...no sweetened or fruit added ones.

Purchase some Gentian Violet to treat yourself and baby.(This turns everything purple)

Use a cup of vinegar in all wash loads, particularly towels, nursing bras and baby's diapers. I diluted the vinegar 1:3 and then soaked 1/2 a paper towel in it. I used this vinegar soaked towel in my daughter's diapers to help keep yeast from spreading.

Sterilize any pacifiers, bottle nipples, nipple shield and pump parts daily and wash them in a vinegar solution or paint them with Gentian Violet.

Echinacea and Astragulus Root, and Vit C and B-complex vit. to boost immune function.

http://www.kellymom.com/ has excellent information and suggestions for treating and preventing thrush too. From my own personal experience, watching my diet and natural methods were a better solution as the meds seemed to create a vicious cycle and never addressed the underlying issue and created more yeast and imbalance within our bodies.. You'll need to be diligent...we've been yeast free but I find that I'm more conscience of what foods I'm putting in my body because of our experience with yeast. IMHO, AVOID the antibiotics if you can. Good luck.

Peace,
J.

I am so sorry that I have nothing to offer you in terms of advise or help but I did just want to let you know that I am sorry as I know not only is nursing difficult and then to have thrush on top of it so sorry. I would suggest not only talking to the dr. but really calling the LLL or a LAC bc they really specalize in nursing and will be able to help you out better. good luck really.

Please read my answer to another question. They are related issues. I've experienced both as an adult. Not fun at all. http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/7808565776356540417#re...

If I were you, I'd stay away from taking antibiotics. It will make your situation worse. Not to mention lower your internal immune response, and only treat symptoms for whatever you're taking it for. I highly recommend going to http://www.earthclinic.com. You can find a better way to heal your body there. Be sure to read about alkalizing your body. It will be essential.

Take care. Good luck.