How to use GSE and looking for other yeast tips, please!

Re: How to use GSE and looking for other yeast tips, please!

• surpriseaddition member

  October 2014

  I use a pediatrician that has an NP/LC and when I had thrush, she said to just rub Monistat on my nipples and areola at night before LOs longest stretch of sleep.  She also said it didn't need to be wiped off or anything before I nursed next, since the skin would absorb it.  This really helped me with the Diflucan 7 day. They also put LO on Nystatin even though she didn't have any signs, so we wouldn't be passing it back and forth.  Don't have any advice on the grapefruit seed extract, but know how uncomfortable yeast is.  I will also say, I started to feel the thrush coming back a couple weeks after the Diflucan ran out, but after using the Monistat again, the feeling went away and it never progressed.  You also don't have to stop nursing because of thrush.  You want to be sure LO will be willing to nurse, and not get to used to the bottle.  Most women continue to nurse at the breast even with thrush if it isn't too uncomfortable.  GL!

  
  **DD1 - 7/9/98**

  **DS - 11/9/00**

  **DD2 - 4/30/13**
  

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• keb0826 member

  October 2014

  Thank you! I asked my son's pediatrician if he thought it was a good idea to treat him anyway, even though he has no symptoms, but he said no and told me it is very rare for a baby to have thrush without showing the white mouth patches or spots. I know most continue nursing with it anyway, but I feel horrible about likely passing it to him when he doesn't seem to have it already. I'm feeling really torn about it...I feel selfish putting him to breast just because it's what I want to do, but also feel crappy about the idea of just throwing in the towel on BFing and him missing out on the benefits of breastmilk and the sense of security it seems to bring babies. For now I'm still pumping and bottle feeding on the right and dumping left. Seems kind of useless at this point though, as the right breast seems infected now too...I suppose if I'm going to keep giving it to him, I may as well just put him to breast. On that note, my dr's nurse told me specifically not to wipe away the APNO prior to feeds and the directions on the label say the same, but the pharmacist told me he'd recommend cleaning it away before feeding. Anybody have info on this? I've been wiping it off prior to pumps. Also, is the GSE safe to leave on before feeding?

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• sschwege member

  October 2014

  OK, I did not have thrush, but thought for months that I did, so I've definitely tried almost everything out there!  Here is where I turned for almost all of my information:
  
  https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-CP
  
  As for the GSE, I mixed it with 1 oz of distilled water and applied topically.  It can be drying, so start with just 5 drops.  You don't want to lead to cracked nipples!  If your nipples seem fine after a few days, you can increase the number of drops.  You can also use it in your laundry!  I never tried it internally. 
  
  Make sure you are washing your bras in really hot water and boiling your pump parts.  What I did was to use disposable breast pads and throw them away after every feed.  Perhaps excessive, but I wasn't taking any chances at the end. 
  
  Some other things you could try is eating raw garlic.  Smash the garlic 10-15 min before consumption for full benefits.  I ate it with peanut butter or honey and with a meal so it doesn't upset your tummy.  Any kind of exposure to open air will help.  I cut two holes in an old shirt and just walked around like that while in the house. 
  
  As for treating your son, the jury is still out on that.  Some say to treat others do not.  DS's pedi would not treat him, but my MW agreed to because she thought even without signs both need treatment.  My SIL who is a pedi and has also dealt with thrush herself thinks both need to be treated.  Her son did not show symptoms but still she treated him.  Nystatin would be the most traditional treatment, this medication has been around for a very long time and I felt comfortable using it even though DS did not have symptoms.  Gentian Violet is another possibility.  My SIL used this on her son and I tried it as well.  The easiest way to do it is to put it on a q-tip and let baby suck it off, it is a huge mess, but generally does the trick.  I've also heard of people breaking open a pro-biotic capsule and letting baby suck it off your finger (apparently it's a little sweet, so babies don't mind).  I haven't tried that one myself. 
  
  Don't wipe the APNO off.  I applied GSE after each feed and did not wipe off before next feed.
  
  Yeast is hard to beat, but don't give up!  Please let me know if I can be of any help!
  

  
  
  
  
  
  My Ovulation Chart

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