Thrush advice

[user1467871093]

Hi I need some advice I have had a bit of a hard time breast feeding. We discovered after a couple of weeks that my little one had tongue tie. We had it snipped and feeding got gradually better but both my breasts particularly my left suffered a lot of trauma. After a few days of pain free breast feeding my left started to get sore and I went back to expressing milk and feeding on the right. I then started to feel sore on my right. I went to a breast feeding group and the lady had a look in his mouth and saw he had thrush and looking at me and the symptoms I described said I had it too. The doctor gave us both cream but after a couple of days I felt that it wasn't getting any better. I phoned the doctor again and she gave me the tablet flu console. I took it yesterday afternoon and I have started to get stabbing pains every now and then in my right breast. I don't know if this means it is working has anyone else had pain like this and that means the tablets are working or not? Does anyone have any advice on how to get rid of thrush. I am giving this till tomorrow and then I am going to wean him off me if I am still sore. I've done 4 weeks and it has been so hard especially as I have another child who is feeling neglected. I feel so exhausted from expressing, feeding, sterlising, washing constantly because we both have thrush. I am not fully enjoying being a Mum again. Don't get me wrong I love my little boy more than anything. However, when it comes to feeding time I dread it so much! If it doesn't get better has anyone also got advice on how to wean him off me. I really don't want to get mastitis. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Xx

[Idontknowwhoiam]

My hv recommended drops for baby and cream for me. It began with an N...
It can take a long time to go and the shooting pains are normal for thrush, kind if like an electric shock.
You've done so well so far it would be a shame to stop x

[user1467871093]

Thanks for your message. I spoke to my HV and she said she would support my decision to stop if it doesn't get better tomorrow. I am going to see how it is on my left tomorrow and if it's still painful I am going to wean him. I tried my left on my last feed and it just felt like my breast was burning. I had to take him off after trying numerous positions. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! I would love to continue but if it's not working then I have to make a decision at some point.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

Gradually will be best or you could end up worse.
Maybe pump any excess but only to drain s little.
Also beware that the thrush can live kn your pump and bras so they need to be washed on a high heat.
Kellymom has some good advice x

[RockCrushesLizard]

First thing is to make sure it is thrush - it is hugely over diagnosed in cases of breast pain. This is a hugely useful site, which gives you and your doctor good quality information.
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/thrush-oct14.pdf

There are lots of causes of breast pain, some are easy to fix, others less so, and it would be a real shame if you felt you had to stop (and I totally understand why you would want to) because you didn't have appropriate treatment.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212)is also really useful for expert help.
You've worked so hard to get this far, well done on every feed you've managed. Hopefully you can get good support to help you work through your options (seriously, the helpline ladies are brilliant - really supportive of whatever choice you want to make, and very well informed about all things boob)

[user1467871093]

Thank you for the information regarding thrush. I tried to put him on my left again and it just felt like my breast was burning when he was feeding on me. My right felt better but still not completely pain free. I have decided to call it a day and try and wean him off me. I feel sad that I couldn't continue but it's just too hard when I have a 5 year old and my his Hubby works away a lot. I have practically not left the house since he was born as I am so sore and wanted to establish breast feeding. I feel for my own health and sanity this is the correct decision. Now making this decision I feel a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. I am now pumping and trying to do it less each time to get rid of lumps on each breast. Any advice on weaning would be appreciated? I really don't want to end up with mastitis. Should I place hot water bottle on breasts before I pump to help get rid of lumps and massage when I start the pump and then put ice packs on them after I express? I was going to put cabbage on my breasts but having thrush I wasn't sure if that was a good idea? I am now feeding my Wee boy breast milk and formula until my milk drys up.

[RockCrushesLizard]

I'm sorry you are still in such discomfort - it sounds rubbish.

Regarding weaning, the slower the better. Some mums prefer to drop one pumping session every few days, others prefer to pump a little less each session (so pump 3oz instead of four at every session for two or three days, then drop to 2ozs etc) then start dropping sessions.

If you have lumps, you're dropping feeds faster than your breasts are adjusting, which increases the risks of mastitis.

Some women do prefer to just go cold turkey, but it can be very painful and lead to blockages and problems. Given that your little one can still use the milk, slow might be preferable.
Paracetamol and cabbage leaves can help if you are having pain with engorgement, but please make sure the thrush is treated too - it won't go away on its own even if you stop feeding.
good luck!

[RockCrushesLizard]

Just in answer to the other part - hot water bottles and ice packs won't do any harm, but don't have much of a benefit.
The hot water bottle advice is usually to get rid of blockages.