What do I do About Thrush While Breastfeeding?

Thrush, a yeast infection that usually occurs in a child's mouth and on a mother's nipples, is a relatively common health issue when nursing. If you or your child develops thrush while breastfeeding, it is important to seek treatment for both of you at the same time. To get rid of thrush while breastfeeding, you will probably need to change your feeding schedule and keep anything that comes in contact with your breasts and your child's mouth as sterile as possible.

If you've noticed signs of thrush in your child's mouth or on your nipples, contact your child's pediatrician and your primary care physician as soon as possible. Thrush is easily passed between mother and baby; if you both receive treatment at the same time, even if one of you is not experiencing any thrush symptoms, you will have the best chance of stopping the cycle in its tracks. In some cases, the pediatrician may be able to treat you both at the same time, thereby saving a trip to your primary care doctor.

The most common medication prescribed to infants with thrush is Nystatin; this drug typically comes in a gel form and is applied to the inside of the baby's mouth to kill the yeast and prevent new yeast from growing. Miconazole, a tablet, may also be prescribed. Gentian violet, a liquid, is typically recommended to women with thrush, and applied to the nipples a few times a day. Depending on the severity of the thrush, the frequency of application varies. In general, continue treatment for one to two weeks after the symptoms of thrush disappear to ensure that the yeast infection does not return. Always follow your doctor's advice when treating thrush while breastfeeding.

If you develop thrush while breastfeeding, nursing can be painful until it clears up. To reduce irritation, it may be helpful to do short, very frequent feedings. This can help to minimize any pain while still keeping your supply up and your baby happily fed. After each nursing session, gently rinse your nipples and allow them to air dry. Covering them up when they are still damp will typically promote the growth of yeast.

It can also be helpful to sterilize any toy or object that your baby puts in his or her mouth; this includes bottle nipples. Washing the items in your dishwasher every day until the thrush clears up can help to prevent the yeast infection from regrowing. Typically, you won't be able to get water hot enough to kill the yeast and still wash the objects by hand. If possible, try to switch out any teething toys as soon as your baby looses interest with a fresh one, and avoid giving the first toy back until it has been washed. While this can be time consuming, it can help both you and your child recover from thrush while breastfeeding.

Washing your bras and any other garment that comes in contact with your chest can help to clear up thrush while breastfeeding. Wash the items on the hottest setting of your washing machine with a small amount of bleach and your usual detergent. If your baby likes to suck on any part of his or her clothing, wash these garments in the same way.