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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Thrush advice

17 replies

impatientlywaiting · 22/05/2014 22:01

Hi all,

I'm hoping for some advice. I've been breastfeeding exclusively since my baby was born 3 weeks ago. I've had very sore breasts for the past few days, more on the actual breast rather than the nipple, it feels like baby's mouth is rubbing against my breast and causing friction. After a feed my boob is red and shiny and there is a burning pain for a while. Baby's latch seems fine. After googling I thought I had thrush so went to GP this afternoon who prescribed cream for me and drops for baby without even looking at my breast or in baby's mouth.

I've managed to feed on both sides this evening, but after being in a lot of pain I've given baby a bottle of formula in the hope that the cream can start to work on my breasts and give my boob a break from feeding.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to clear up thrush quickly? Or any tips about temporarily introducing formula, I'm hoping to give a max of 1 bottle a day whilst I feel the pain is too much and will then revert to exclusively breastfeeding. I'm hoping this won't affect my supply as I really want to continue breastfeeding as is really been enjoying it until the bout of Thrush.

Any advice gratefully received, this is my first baby so I'm totally new to this.

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Misty9 · 23/05/2014 03:04

Ah the joys of thrush. We're there too. Sounds like you've been prescribed nystatin for the baby, which is unlikely to work. Daktarin gel is the good stuff so maybe go back if not helping in few days? Also sounds like it might be in the ducts so I'd get advice on that.
Hope it clears up soon.

Misty9 · 23/05/2014 03:05

Also make sure you're hot washing anything like towels and nappies, anything which touches your nips or baby's mouth and nappy area.

mrsmugoo · 23/05/2014 03:35

You may need to take fluconazole orally for 7 days if the thrush is in the ducts rather than externally on the nipple. I had this a couple of weeks ago and it was excruciating!

NotQuiteCockney · 23/05/2014 06:31

These days, they are meant to diagnose thrush with a swab.

It's relatively unusual to get thrush so early. Is the discomfort on both sides? Did feeding hurt, before this?

DangoDays · 23/05/2014 06:55

I am not so sure it is uncommon early on. I had it early on and was told it was a result of antibiotics after birth which apparently is quite common...

Hope you get relief soon impatientlywaiting.

I 2nd daktarin gel for baby. I had nipple cream but that was more where my pain was plus some shooting pains!

Do you have more than one doc at surgery? If yes ask if there is a doc who might be best to see. I did this when I had it and they switched my app. Doc was brilliant.

Perhaps find nearest clinic/bf cafe. You can get help there on what issue might be and useful info to take to docs. I did this as I have heard sometimes docs just know too little about treating it.

Keep us posted. Take care.

NotQuiteCockney · 23/05/2014 07:11

Thrush is just a really tricky diagnosis, particularly in the early days. It has been wildly over-diagnosed. The most recent guidance is here.

impatientlywaiting · 23/05/2014 07:21

Thanks everyone,

Pain is in both sides but worse in left breast. Feel like I'd been getting on well with feeding before that. I had some pain in my nipples to start with but that seemed to resolve itself, then had a week or so pain free before these symptoms.
I did have a 7 day course of antibiotics after birth.

Pain seems slightly better today, however I think I've generally found that it has been worse as the day has gone on, so not sure if it's an improvement yet.

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DangoDays · 23/05/2014 07:43

Sounds like if it has been going well it is unlikely to be an issue with how you are feeding - but I am no expert.

Notquite makes good point in that you want right diagnosis. All I can say is that the cream was instant relief for us in clearing up white patches and my pain.

I really hope you get some relief fast.

NotQuiteCockney · 23/05/2014 08:13

With thrush, the pain is likely to be the same on both breasts. What your describing could well be down to latch - are your nipples misshapen or blanched after a feed?

NotQuiteCockney · 23/05/2014 08:14

Getting worse over the course of the day also sounds like latch tbh.

impatientlywaiting · 23/05/2014 10:03

That's helpful, thanks everyone. Notquite the outside of my nipples are often white after a feed, one nipple is a good shape after feeding. The other will be elongated after a feed, but perhaps be less symmetric, like a lipstick shape.

I think I'll contact the health visitor today ask was offered another appointment regarding breastfeeding, but at the time it was going well so I said I didn't need it. I was frustrated at the doctors consultation, he just took my word for it rather than checking me over. It was at a minor injury unit attached to my GP practice as all the appointments at the practice had gone, so I could go back to the practice to get another GP to check me over.

Will start with the HV though. Thanks again for your responses.

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Misty9 · 23/05/2014 10:42

notquite I read the information on the link you gave. My baby is 5wks old and we were prescribed just the oral gel last week after presenting at the walk in centre. The nurse didn't look in her mouth as she was sleeping, and the only symptom is a thick white coating on her tongue, quite far back. However, she has a confirmed tongue tie and we're awaiting the snip. We've been administering the gel but should we stop? The nurse said there was no risk to the meds even if it wasn't thrush..

Sorry to hijack op!

impatientlywaiting · 23/05/2014 14:21

Don't worry about it Misty.

Bit of an update, called the health visitor, she was lovely, called around to my house 10 mins later. Checked my boobs and my latch and said she agreed with doc that it was thrush. She made me an appointment with the doc to prescribe the oral tablet as well as the cream so hopefully will get some relief soon.

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NotQuiteCockney · 24/05/2014 15:23

The gel isn't very high risk for a baby, I don't think. Do you have any symptoms yourself? Is your baby unhappy?

Misty9 · 24/05/2014 16:19

It's difficult to know if I've got symptoms - I have on/off sore nipples and quite painful letdown recently, but she has a shallow latch and nipple feeds, partly to cope with my fast letdown. She's generally content but a pretty fussy feeder, coming on and off, refusing to latch and rooting hysterically. All of which was fun to contend with while feeding and walking in the park this afternoon!

DangoDays · 24/05/2014 19:19

Impatiently...misty...how are you both getting on?

impatientlywaiting · 24/05/2014 19:46

I think I might be slightly improving. The pain is reduced but my nipples are very tingly when I'm feeding, not uncomfortable but strange feeling.

Pleased that the pain has subsided. Only had to give 2 formula feeds over 3 days so I'm hoping it shouldn't effect my supply too much.

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