Breastfeeding Problems: Yeast Infection/Thrush
There are some problems that you may encounter while breastfeeding. These problems include problems with your breast, the manner of feeding, as well as problems your baby may be having. It is important to discuss these problems because some of them, particularly engorgement and mastitis can reoccur when weaning your child. Knowing how to deal with these problems when they occur can prepare you for the future, help you prevent the problem from happening, and ease the weaning process for you and your child.
Yeast Infection/Thrush
While actively breastfeeding, the breast or nipple area can become infected. One such infection is the yeast infection known as thrush. This infection usually grows in moist and relatively dark environments. Sometimes it occurs because of nipple damage, having had a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy or delivery, or due to certain antibiotics or recent use of antibiotics.
The symptoms of thrush include severe nipple pain or pain deep in the breast. Both pains are usually felt as burning sensations or as pins and needles. If occurring in the nipple, other symptoms include the nipples becoming very pink or red and somewhat glossy looking. The nipple can also be itchy and may have skin that flakes off.
The baby will exhibit symptoms of white patches in their mouth or tongue. You may notice a white film on your baby’s tongue, as well as a very bad diaper rash. Thrush can worsen over time or can remain until treated.
Visit your doctor for treatment of thrush. Since you and your baby are likely to have it at the same time, it is best to get treatment together. You may also have a vaginal yeast infection at the same time that you have thrush. You can check on this with your doctor, and address this problem as well.
Yeast infections can take a while before going away, and the possibilities of re-infection are common. Your doctor will tell you what treatment for thrush is best for you and your baby. Common treatments include Nystatin (cream for you and an oral suspension for your baby.) The Nystatin cream should be applied on your nipples while the oral suspension should be swabbed on your baby’s cheeks, mouth and lips. If your thrush is not by the nipple, and the pain is generating from the breast, an oral treatment will be prescribed for you.
To avoid re-infection or from getting thrush to begin with, keep everything about yourself and the baby clean and dry. Sterilize anything that may come into contact with your baby’s mouth and with your breast milk. Baby bottles, baby toys, pacifiers, and anything else should be boiled for at least twenty minutes every day. If there is an item that cannot be boiled, like certain parts of the breast pump, wash these items in hot soapy water.
When washing your baby, use plain clean water. Water should be warm, not hot, and keep your baby dry and cool afterwards. To keep yourself clean, wash your breasts, especially your nipples in hot soapy water and let them air dry before dressing. Make sure you wear a clean bra after every wash.
You should also wash your bras in warm soapy water and allow them to dry in the sun. Change your nursing pads at every feeding session, and after each feeding, rinse your nipples with water and allow them to air dry again. Following these precautions, you are likely to avoid re-infection. You can also use this regimen to prevent yourself from getting thrush altogether.
Some women choose to go for more natural methods of curing thrush. If you would like to try natural methods, you can avoid sugar and bread products. You can also try gentian violet, which is an application that you can find in some stores. Follow the instructions for gentian violet. It will usually tell you to use it anywhere from four to seven days. Gentian violet does have the ability to stain everything it touches with a deep purple hue, however so be careful about it with your clothes. Your baby may have a purple mouth for a while, but this will go away.
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