Grapefruit seed extract and Thrush

LMBecky11

Has anyone used the grapefruit seed extract remedy for thrush? Is it safe? How much are you supposed to use, how often and how are you supposed to administer it?

bluesapph

I took it for myself.  I think I took 3 or 4 capsules a day.  It feels like so long ago....it was 3 months ago!  

I never gave it to LO though he was BF so I assume he got some of it. He never had symptoms and was never treated directly.  It was recommended by my LC.  

LMBecky11

Just curious to PP, why did the LC recommend it? Do you mean your LO didn't have symptoms of Thrush? So did you take it for another reason? Sorry for not understanding. = )

My LO has been throwing little tantrums when eating (EBF) and she has been eating less. The roof of her mouth looks to have a whitish coating, but I can't see anything on her cheeks or lips. IDK if it is thrush or not, but I had read somewhere else this mom who said she took it because her baby had a white coating on its tongue and within a few days it went away. And that if the baby doesn't actually have Thrush it won't hurt to take it anyway.

So does taking it orally in capsule form cure Thrush too? I was reading something about mixing drops of it in water and applying it to the baby's mouth and mom's nipples.

So confused sometimes... lol 

kxp004

LMBecky11:

Just curious to PP, why did the LC recommend it? Do you mean your LO didn't have symptoms of Thrush? So did you take it for another reason? Sorry for not understanding. = )

Sometimes Mama can get thrush and not transfer it to baby... so your LC would spot it by either symptoms you describe feeling (nursing pain is made worse, itchiness) or by seeing the state of your nipples (sometimes they appear scaly).
 

So does taking it orally in capsule form cure Thrush too? I was reading something about mixing drops of it in water and applying it to the baby's mouth and mom's nipples.

You can take it orally or mix in water and apply to your nipples, but the "topical" way dries out your nipples really bad and has to be reapplied a couple of times if I remember correctly---you also can't use it at the same time as applications of gentian violet... I HIGHLY recommend you would do oral GFS extract and apply GV to your nipples if you choose to use GFS extract...

 

 

this is what I always post when someone asks about thrush b/c my LO and I had it soooooooo bad.... (this was a summary of a sheet given to me by my LC)

For pain while nursing, if you are feeling pain:

1) Take Ibuprofen at the presciption strength 800 mg every 6 hours---take less if the pain is less

2) Pump instead of BF---but depending on the pump you have, this could infect your pump (i.e. Playtex) and result later in another thrush outbreak; however, I believe the hospital ones have a "shield" against it ****It is very possible that your pump could get infected even if you sterilize... best suggestion is the vinegar wash I posted furthur down the list***

3) If you decide to keep BF, you can use a nipple shield--it will still hurt, but be slightly less

For treatment:

1) Most OBs are slow to prescribe Rx's for thrush, but if you do get one for yourself, use it all! I have been prescribed diflucan (generic nystatin)... also, most Drs prescribe the dosage for a vaginal yeast infection instead of a breast yeast infection so you actually might be getting a lower dose---as such, it is suggested you use other forms to fight the thrush as well... make sure you get an antifungal---antibiotics can actually make it worse (200 mg for first day and 150 mg for every day after is the "correct" dosage for thrush)

2) Try gentian violet--a messy purple liquid that you paint your nipples with once daily; it will treat you and baby... if you don't notice less pain in 72-96 hours, stop using it... THIS WILL stain your baby's face, along with everything else, purple, but it's washed off all of my clothes and it won't take long for the purple baby face to fade (or you can smear olive oil on his face and hands which helps prevent staining)

3) Take 250 mg Grapefruit Seed Extract orally once daily---there is a way to apply diluted drops directly to your nipples but they will dry out faster, so you will need a really good nipple cream---also don't do the direct nipple approach while using gentian violet

4) You will need to clean EVERYTHING (throughout your entire treatment) that comes into contact with your nipples or baby's mouth.... clothes, pacifiers, bottle nipples, pump parts, blankets... there are a couple of ways to do this, but I've been doing a distilled white vinegar wash---*******1 tbs vinegar to every cup water---let the small things soak in the solution and then wash them off afterwards otherwise baby may not like the taste.... for clothes add 1 cup of vinegar to your wash cycle and use HOT water if clothes won't "bleed"*******

5) It's been suggested to me by my LC to use monistat (if my MW/OB okays it) on your nipples but you have to wash it off thoroughly before BF or Pumping

6) Change your nursing pads OFTEN!!!!! ***OFTEN meaning every session and if you can tell they are wet---if you think you need to change them, then you probably do***

7) Cut sugars and yeast out of your diet temporarily---yep, no more yummy chocolates, yeast breads, candies and sweets

8) Take probiotics and eat yogurt

9) See if you can get your MW/OB to prescibe Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment (link here)---this may be slightly difficult since it is a compound and will need to be made at a pharmacy, not just ordered

10) Most babies don't seem to be affected by thrush when they have it, so unless your BF, they usually won't just treat the baby...

bluesapph

What I meant was I had yeast but managed to treat it and LO didn't get thrush.  For me it was nipple pain/itching and a shooting pain in the milk duct.  I cut out all sugar and most carbs, took grapefruit seed extract, probiotics and used all purpose nipple ointment.  It cleared up in a few days.  Thank.  God.  It was awful.  

 ** I was told to take the grapefruit seed extract in the morning and probiotics at night.

 

 ** I managed to avoid taking the prescription.  I was told it will tank your supply.  I wanted to avoid that but my supply was pretty well tanked after the yeast infection and a few rounds of mastitis.   I hope you have better luck!

happybride14

prior to getting pregnant, i used to get a lot of infections.  i researched gse and gave it a try since it's all natural.  within a week, i felt so much better.  i wasn't getting infections (uti's, yeast, etc.) anymore.  then i got pregnant and stopped taking it and honestly, completely forgot about it until now.  good to know it is safe to use while nursing.  i might have to try it again since i have an ear infection.  

oh and i would put 8-10 drops in my orange juice every morning.  juice was better at masking the bitterness of the grapefruit.