Breastfeeding If You Or Your Infant Have Thrush

by LisaC

Thrush also known as candidas is a common and normally benign yeast that has grown out of control. It is not generally serious, but can be painful for both mother and baby and can cause problems or pain for both particularly if breastfeeding.

Babies are susceptible to thrush because their immune systems are not fully developed and hence they fight off common infections less readily. The use of antibiotics, or even some common steroids or an undiagnosed yeast infection in the mother can lead to thrush in babies. Sometimes it is not known what causes it.

Determining if your infant has thrush is not easy either, but there are some common symptoms to go by in both mother and baby.

For baby the symptoms are often:

A white coating in the mouth along lips and gums as well as tongue that is not easily wiped away. It may have a curdy consistency.

Irritability in the infant at feeding and seeming soreness of the mouth as baby tries to suckle, leading to short interrupted feeding cycles.

In the mother thrush is sometimes characterized by:

Deep nipple or breast pain. Shooting pains in the nipples during or after feeding.
Cracked or itchy nipples or red or shiny nipples.

What is important to remember here is that thrush can be very frustrating to treat if only you, or your baby is receiving treatment. Thrush can be passed back and forth between mother and baby during breastfeeding making it very difficult to get rid of. Mother and baby should both receive treatment for thrush to eliminate this problem.

Along with medical treatments to control the infection in you and your baby, there are some things you can do to help curb the growth of the infection as well as keep from passing it back and forth between your baby and yourself.

You should always wash and dry your nipples after each feeding and change the pads on your bra frequently.

If you use a breast pump all parts should be sterilized according to the manufacturer’s directions after each use.

Some women find rinsing their nipples in a very mild vinegar and water solution helps to change the skin acid level and curb the growth of thrush on the nipples. Caution should be used if your nipples are cracked as this can be uncomfortable.

Nightgowns, bras, any item of clothing touching your nipples should be washed in hot water and bleach.

Be sure and sterilize any pacifiers or bottles your baby uses after each use.

None of these methods will replace the guidance of a physician or pediatrician but can help manage a thrush infection while the medications work.