Antibiotics and thrush

[DorcasB]

Have been given antibiotics for mastitis- anyone have any ideas what I can do to reduce the risk of thrush? Already had that and really don't want it back.
Doctor prescribed me a pessary , I'm a bit sceptical though- probably irrationally!

grrr, typed a reply but internet cut out...

Get yourself and baby some probiotics. I got some baby ones called udo's choice but i think there a few on the market.

Think about isolating bras etc that you use during the course of antibiotics so that you can boil wash them/wash in vinegar etc if necessary.

I assume you are talking about breast thrush so not really sure what a pessary is going to do for you

Also avoid excess sugar and wheat.

Hope you manage to avoid it...

Thanks eachpeach, how do I give the baby probiotics? She is eleven weeks, is it alright for her to take them?
I don't know what the pessary is for either, I don't think my GP knows anything about breast thrush. When I went for my meds when I had thrush I had to tell her what was needed and that mother and baby need treating simultaneously. She was so irritated by me she wouldn't even hold the door open for me as I left with the buggy.

god how annoying.

have just looked at the bottle on mine and it says 0-5. you should probably check with chemist and maybe just give her the lower end of the recommended dose.

it says on the bottle it can be added to liquid or you can coat your nipple with it before breastfeeding. if you dont express i would just dissolve it with a bit of water and give it to her on a spoon - it doesnt take much water to dissolve it.

also, i would not even try the pessary if it is just a normal canesten pessary for vaginal thrush. i would be concerned about causing resistance to antifungals...

hi, I was advised by a breast feeding councelor to take acidophilus capsules. They contain billions of the bacteria that anti-biotics kill. Ask for it at your local health food shop. I used it when thrush had already set in but It might prevent it.

I had Mastitis a few weeks ago and was given ABs but managed to clear it with lots of hot flannels and by feeding leaning over the baby to really drain the boob. I began to feel better within 12 hours so didn't take the ABs. I think though, if self help doesn't seem to improve anything within a few hours you should take the drugs. I really didn't want to take them as the last course had given me thrush.
Good luck.

I'd see another GP - yours obviously doesn't understand that you get thrush in your boobs! Some of the ABs are supposed to be better for not getting thrush - trime...something. They aren't the first ABs that are chosen for bfing though.

Probiotic capsules really help - and carry on taking them afterwards.

And be militant about hygiene - e.g. use disposable breast pads you change regularly, hot wash bras and anything milky, wash your nipples and wash your hands befoe and after every feed.

Thanks everyone.
Bluebeach I will try and get hold of some acidophilus. Is that a type of probiotic or do I need that as well?
eachpeach it does seem a bit pointless taking a treatment for vaginal thrush!
japhrimel I am so annoyed by how clueless my GP is about breastfeeding, especially regarding medical issues. I seriously think that I know more about it than her which is scary- thank god for the Internet and mumsnet! I've already started the ab's she gave me but will bear that advice on mind if I need to get them again. Will be scrupulous about hygiene as well. The thrush nearly finished me off bf last time, it was so painful, I really don't want to go through it again.