Thrush or bad latch ?

[AntarcticEther]

Have a 17 day old . Not sure which it is . Latch been fine but not sure if it has suddenly become sloppy .

On antibiotics for post c section hemotoma which is infected . My nipples are pink and shiny , and throbbing . Water from the shower and clothes make them feel sore . They feel sore feeding .

No sign of white in babies mouth , but does have a bit of a red bottom with the beginnings of a rash .

I'm really not sure .

Sounds like it could be thrush especially as you'll be more susceptible to it having had antibiotics.

Does the pain continue after a feed?

The Breastfeeding Network does a good leaflet about thrush. Here it is.

Please watch that nappy rash. Thrush nappy rash is sometimes absolutely horrendous and can break down to red raw, bleeding skin within hours. If you've not got Canesten cream in already I strongly suggest you get some today, either OTC or on prescription if you can wrangle a doctor's appointment. The lack of white spots doesn't mean that there's no thrush in the baby and the nappy rash and other symptoms sounds like it's a possibility so taking the Breastfeeding Network's leaflet to the docs would be a great plan to get a diagnosis and the right meds if needed.

Sorry, for clarity, Canestan (clotrimozole) is needed for the nappy rash if it's a thrush nappy rash but shouldn't be used elsewhere, ie the nipples.

This sheet about nipple pain might be helpful too. Have you had any support from anyone trained in breastfeeding? Have they observed a feed since this pain started?

Thrush at 17 days is not impossible, but is rare.

We had thrush about 3 weeks after my son was born and your symptoms sound familiar. I went to a breast-feeding group to confirm diagnosis (found nearest one on the day I realized that is what it must be). Then went to docs who prescribed daktarin cream for me and gel for ds. Relief was instant. Good to go informed as breast-feeding counsellor pointed out docs don't always know treat it effectively. Make sure you are both treated. Hope you are more comfortable soon.

clotrimozole is fine on the nipples, but I found a vinegar dilute wash on cottonwool pads was the best thing. Use that often and airdry if possible.

singlesolo clotrimazole (Canestan) can trigger skin reactions such as eczema if used on the nipples which is why miconazole (Daktarin) cream is indicated instead. It may be fine but it's best avoided just in case. A vinegar wash, or wash with dilute grapefruit seed extract is also effective but would be very drying and potentially will cause a skin reaction on sensitive skin.

I second taking a copy of the Breastfeeding Network's leaflet to the docs (as linked above).

Organic my GP prescribed it for me and LLL suggested the vinegar wash. I found the wash was the most effective for me, is cheap and in most peoples kitchen. Dilute, it would be unlikely to be drying and I'm sure I would rather have had dry skin than the pain of ductal/breast thrush which is excruciating. Just my opinion though, having lost count at 12 the number of times I got the problem over 4+ years.

Sounds just like thrush that DS and I had. He didn't have White in his mouth either and it went undiagnosed for ages. Lasted 5 weeks so I would say get to the doctors ASAP. It took me 5 trips to different GPs and various treatments to get it sorted. It was persistent and only went away with pills (can't remember name, sorry). Bf became a pleasure once it had gone! Good luck.

...the pills are called fluconozol, and you will need them if the thrush has spread into your milk ducts - you will know it has if you feel sudden shooting pains deep in your breasts, at any time (i.e. including when not feeding)

Like others have said, do your research before seeing GP, its important to be treated right and promptly, and you may need to steer your doc in the right direction. Fluconozol for instance is usually prescribed in one dose 150mg capsules for vaginal thrush, but for milk duct thrush you need 200mg tablets and a much longer course (a week a least, and a loading dose of 400mg.)

Dont use lansinoh or other nipple creams for a while - they will keep them moist which creates a better environment for the bacteria to grow. Same for the nappy area, avoid normal sudocream type stuff, instead use talcom powder, especially the antibacterial athletes foot kind, to keep the area dry. However you must be very careful that the baby doesnt inhale it, step away from the changing table when you pour it in your hand and press it into baby's bum gently.

I used vinegar washes too and it helped a lot, both on nipples and also I dipped a wipe in it to clean his bum.