What to do? Oral thrush in newborn

[catlady1]

I've just noticed that my baby (1 week old) has little white spots on her tongue and the inside of her lip. I had thought it was a bit of spit-up left inside her mouth or something but I've just tried to rub her tongue and they're still there. I understand this is the main symptom of thrush in babies. She's been feeding fine (she's breastfed) but she has been a bit colicky and unsettled after feeds for the past day or two.

I've also noticed one of my breasts hurts while I'm feeding, not the nipple but inside if you know what I mean? It's not sore but it's a kind of shooting pain when she sucks and then it aches afterwards. The corners of my mouth are also very sore but I don't know why I'd have it in my own mouth.

Anyway, my doctors is now closed and I don't really have any way to get to the OOH unless it was absolutely necessary (expensive taxi ride that I can't really afford), and she seems fine in herself. But my midwife is coming tomorrow - would it be worth waiting to see what she says, or should I ring the doctors first thing? Do you think there's any chance they'd write me a prescription without seeing us? Obviously I'm willing to take her in but my stitches are still bothering me a lot so if I can avoid the journey that would be brill, and my mum can collect the prescription for us as she lives very close to the doctors. Or can the midwife write us a prescription or get a doctor to, so I just have to pick it up?

[33goingon64]

My DS had this although it was the intense pain in my breasts and nipples that gave it away. I saw five different GPs before someone gave me some drugs. But I don't want to scare you. Definitely no need for out of hours service but do get a GP appointment ASAP. If you tell them it's for a one week old they should give you an emergency apt for the same day. My advice would be, if it doesn't get better after a few days, keep going back until they give you something that works. We had it for 5 weeks and it was by far the hardest part of the newborn stage for me.

[33goingon64]

Meant to say, the midwife may be able to write the prescription for you so do discuss it with her.

[Aldwick]

GPS are notorious for being ill informed about the best way to treat thrush in mothers and breast fed babies. Get yourself on to the breast feeding network website - they have a great page detailing the high dose treatment you both need. Good luck!