Thrush?

TracyB4889

After 6 weeks of misery, breastfeeding was finally getting easier. My cracked bleeding nipples healed, and we figured out a great latch. Now at 7 weeks it's getting painful again. This time it's a burning sensation, and no matter how we re-latch or change positions it doesn't get better. My nipples do appear a little bit pinker than normal, but maybe that could be from the endless nursing and pumping. I also occasionally get random shooting pains in my breast. LO has no signs of thrush, no white spots in mouth or diaper rash. Could I have thrush on my nipples? How is it diagnosed and would I go see my OB or lactation?

I would appreciate anyone's advice or experience. Thanks!

Nickioch

I feel your pain, literally! I had cracking from the very beginning so feeding was painful at latch, but my little guys latch was perfect so I couldn't figure out why it was still hurting once they healed. Around week 2 I had excruciating deep pain in my left breast while he nursed -- I'm talking break out in a sweat, crying, worse than labor kind of pain. I knew something was wrong but my LC didn't catch on that it was thrush for some reason!? I called my local La Leche League LC and she asked me a series of questions and said "classic thrush".

Baby didn't have symptoms until I was starting to get better which is common that they won't have any. But you both need to be treated at same time or it'll pass back and forth. I was started in over the counter topical yeast infection cream on nipples which made the pain subside within a couple days (thank god!!) but I still have the burning and itching and occasional shooting pains, so I'm now prescribed an oral med to clear it out. LO was prescribed an oral med that we did for a week and dr Today said his looks to be cleared. I'm in week 5 almost 6 now so it's been a long haul. The worst is the burning now, I can't put on clothes or bra so I can't leave the house much, it's like fire ants are on my nipples when I would try!

Definitely seek help asap to treat it!!! It's so frustrating. I'm so glad to be almost out of the woods.

I haven't pumped or given pacifier yet but if you do you'll need to sterilize everything every time to avoid decontamination

raisabrashi

Nickioch--what over the counter cream did you use? Mine isn't working and my doctor won't prescribe the oral pills because he says they're unsafe for babies.

sunkistgrl87

My doctor recommended Monistat 7 on your nipples for yeast / thrush. Your ob should be able to check this. Good luck!

Nickioch

Miconazole is what I used, had to buy it in a vaginal yeast infection "kit" (came we applicator and stuff that you don't need) husband couldn't find it on its own as just the tube of cream. And really about the oral meds!? My ob prescribed mine and it's fine for system while breastfeeding, I'd get a second opinion or you'll never get rid of the yeast. I'm on Fluconizole. Good luck!

Coco118

My OB prescribed me diflucan for 14 days. I also did a nipple wash of vinegar/water mix before and after every feeding. Washed absolutely everything daily in hot water and vinegar as well (towel, sheets, clothes, anything that touched my nipples ever). Boiled pump parts and anything that touched baby's mouth (burp cloth, pacifier) daily as well. My doctor recommended putting the baby's nystatin on my nipples too but it was sticky then my nipples would stick to clothes and owwwww! Did it once and never again. Instead I went with lotrimin on the nipples (washed off before feeding). It did eventually go away (baby somehow never had signs of it, even though we stopped her nystatin after two days due to stomach upset) and thank the lord- breastfeeding is no longer painful!