Thrush, Babies, and Breastfeeding
Yeast Infections Can Make Nursing Your Baby A Painful Experience
Sep 15, 2008
What causes thrush? Candida albicans, which is a yeast that lives in our digestive tracts, is the culprit. Normally it's usually kept under control by beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus.
However, there are certain conditions that can upset the balance between the yeast and the bacteria. Pregnancy is one of them. When a woman is pregnant, her hormone levels are different, which can lead to candidiasis. A woman who develops gestational diabetes is more prone to a yeast infection because of the excess sugar in her urine.
It's common for a woman who has had a cesarean section to develop candidiasis. This is because of the antibiotic treatment she received after surgery to prevent infection. Unfortunately, antibiotics wipe out all bacteria, both good and bad. This can allow Candida albicans to grow out of control, resulting in a yeast infection.
A baby can pick up a yeast infection when he or she passes through the birth canal if mom has vaginal candidiasis. Your baby can get oral thrush by nursing, especially if your nipples are raw and cracked. If only the mom is treated, she can be reinfected when she breastfeeds her baby.
What Are The Symptoms Of Thrush?
If your baby suddenly becomes fussy while nursing and pulls off the breast, you should suspect oral thrush. You may see white patches or spots in your baby's mouth, and you may notice what appears to be a white film on the tongue.
Your baby may also have a diaper rash with a shiny appearance and raised patchy areas. Both these symptoms are characteristic of a diaper rash caused by Candida albicans.
Mom's nipples may burn or feel itchy. Some women have shooting pains in the breasts after nursing. A woman may also have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, too.
How Is Thrush Treated?
There are several different treatments for thrush, depending on how much pain mom and baby are having and which parts of the body are involved. Since the infection can be passed back and forth, both of them need to be treated, even if only one has any symptoms.
A topical antifungal cream may be used on both mom's nipples and the baby's bottom, while also giving the baby an oral antifungal medication. Both mom and baby should be treated right after nursing, since this is when the infection is transferred. Since it only takes three hours for yeast to reproduce, using the medication regularly is important.
Natural treatments include applying Calendula tincture to the nipples to relieve pain and irriation. Try rinsing your nipples with a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of boiled water after each feeding. Echinacea or pau d'arco capsules can be taken orally to boost your immune system.
Gentian violet is an old remedy recommended for thrush and yeast infections of the breast. An easy way to treat both mom and baby is to dip a swab into the gentian violet and let the baby suck on it for a few seconds. This should coat the inside of the baby's mouth. If it doesn't, paint the inside of the baby's mouth with the swab. Put the baby to your breast, and your yeast infection will be treated too.
Mom should avoid sugary foods, wheat, and cheese. Eat yogurt with live cultures, and add garlic to your food. Taking vitamin supplements, including vitamin C, zinc, and B-complex, may help too.
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