Possible thrush in 8 month old BF baby...

[2point4pets]

Hi
I have just realised tonight that DD (8.5 months) possibly has thrush in her mouth -

The clues are:

• Reluctance to feed (previously a voracious eater, 3 proper meals a day + 2 BF) - crying etc during meals, now will only eat ready-brek!
  
• Sore throat - sounds like she is losing her voice
  
• Constant dribble - a bib an hour
  
• White film in mouth (haven't noticed spots to be fair, but looks like she has just had a milk feed all the time)
  
• Not being soothed by dummy at night - spits it out
  
• Occasional small vomit - she is not a sicky baby at all.
  
• has been plagued by 3 ear infections in last 6 weeks - this may be totally unrelated though...?
  
  Looking at the list, it does look like trhush, I had thrush in the boob for nearly 2 months when she was smaller, and she had no symptoms at all. Now it seems the reverse - I have no symptoms despite still having 2 feeds a day.
  Basically, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is fine to just treat her & myself with oral daktarin - mouth for her, nipple for me- (this is what finally worked last time for me) and sterilise all her dummies, teats etc for 15 min boil wash?
  
  Is there anything else I should do?
  
  Is this a fairly standard bout, or should I take her to the doctor? Nystatin didn't work for us last time.
  
  Should I expect the symptoms to ease tomorrow with the daktarin, or is that being too hopeful?
  
  This has being going on for about 3-4 days - we thought it was the new teeth she is sporting, but now think it must be something more serious, poor thing.
  
  Any advice gratefully received.

[thingamajig]

It does sound very much like thrush, but personally I would take her to the dr to be on the safe side. They are always happy to see under ones. If she has white film in her mouth then it is almost certainly thrush, but the other things are worth checking out.

[2point4pets]

Cheers for that - no temp or any other more serious symptoms, but think she needs to see gp tomorrow in any case.

[alypaly]

sounds like thrush to me....white in the mouth. doc will probably give you some nystatin drops for her. I wouldnt rely on it just being in her mouth. The daktarin gel will only really work in her moth and it might be in the rest of her digestive tract,so i would go see the doc for some nystatin

[alypaly]

mouth not moth...sorry cant spell

[2point4pets]

Just saw dr and health visitor and both confirmed thrush, have nystatin now too.
She is still reluctant to eat anything, but luckily tonight had a nice big BF.

Can anyone recommend anything else I can do - is there any point trying the actimel-type pro biotic drinks, or can anyone suggest any alternative therapy or vitimin/supplement that may help?

We are boiling all dummies/teats still for 15 mins as the avent steriliser doesn't do the trick apparently.

or do we now just ride it out for a few more days?

[alypaly]

the nystatin will work for the thrush..it is very common in babies. Actimel will make no difference at all.

It is a fungal infection and actimel is not an antifungal.
There is nothing else you can do...but i wouldnt give daktarin gel as there is no benefit to add it in. just check her baby bits to make sure she hasnt got vaginal or rectal thrush. Highly unlikely,but it can happen depending on how bad it is.

[alypaly]

dont give her a drink for at least half an hour after the nystatin. it needs to stay in situ for as long as poss ,so dont wash it away with drinks.

[2point4pets]

Thanks so much alypaly, much appreciated - shame the gp didn't say all of this!
Yay for mumsnet!
much happier baby today so doing something right...

[alypaly]

2point4pets.... i get a bit fed up with my gp...they dont seem to give the right info. i am apharmacy dispenser and i tend to read all the leaflets so i can give the correct info...so hopefully it will help...just drip it on to the tongue and the sides of the mouth so that she doesnt swallow it all in one go.