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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Is this thrush? GP says no, but I think it could be.

13 replies

OhPuddleducks · 08/12/2013 20:35

I have a sort of burning pain behind my nipple and through my boob when feeding and sometimes after feeding. It's not every feed, just sometimes and seems to be worse if the breast is fuller. I was at the out of hours GP today being diagnosed with mastitis for the third time in five weeks (!) and asked about thrush but he reckoned the symptoms I described were the mastitis (even though I told him I hadn't had this the previous couple of times).

Feeling grumpy about this - had crap start to bfing and really struggled past a popping blood blister, tongue tie, baby who wouldn't latch for two and a half weeks after the TT snip, exclusive expressing to build up supply, finally getting him to relatch and exclusive bf again, the bloody recurring mastitis and now this. Feel like I'm playing breastfeeding issue bingo ...

Should I get a second opinion? I'm on flucloxacillin - read somewhere that this can treat thrush as well as mastitis, but can't find it again and now wondering if I imagined it.

OP posts:
Jiltedjohnsjulie · 08/12/2013 20:49

Poor you, you are really going through it. Have you spoken to a BFC or read the thrush info on kellymom?

Original poster
OhPuddleducks · 08/12/2013 21:36

I've been on kellymom and it sounds similar to what I'm feeling but I'm doubting myself because surely the GP knows better than me (or does he? I just don't know). My lovely health visitor is due to ring tomorrow so I could ask her too. I saw a bf counsellor when he wouldn't latch but haven't seen anyone since - they all seem to meet during the toddler's nap time! The most annoying bit of it is that this is my second and I bf my first for 15 months so feel like I should know what I'm doing!

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Jiltedjohnsjulie · 08/12/2013 22:46

You can't know everything and each baby is different. Also, I have heard that gps receive no, or very little bfing training.

Yes, ask your HV but it might also be worth speaking to a BFC. Have you got the helpline numbers?

crikeybadger · 08/12/2013 22:52

It could be that the antibiotics have led to thrush (if it is thrush). Strange, tho' definitely not impossible for gp to diagnose mastitis. ...warm breast, tender area, red streaks, fluey feeling ( as you will have experienced ). It's fluconazole that is sometimes given for deep breast thrush (although that just came up as flu nozzle !)

Don't assume that gp's know a lot about bfing as many don 't get much training in it at all.

queenofthepirates · 08/12/2013 22:59

Have you checked baby's mouth? If it's coated in white stuff, it's likely to be thrush and you'll pass it back and forth quite merrily until treated. We had after antibiotics for my c-section it and I had to go armed with a kellymom print out to get the treatment from my GP. Did the trick though!

fridayfreedom · 08/12/2013 23:10

GPs do not know much about bf in general. When I had breast thrush 17 years ago I told the GP what it was, he said you don't get thrush in your breasts. Told him in no uncertain terms that you could and I had and to give me the drugs!!
BFC were fab on info re what to ask for. It sorted it out and I fed DD for two years.
Ps, I also had most bf problems but the BFC helped me through.

Original poster
OhPuddleducks · 09/12/2013 02:17

I guess it doesn't hurt to check. Just worried they'll dismiss it because the other GP did. Taking a print out is a really good idea. The baby doesn't have any white bits (that was basically why thrush was ruled out), he does have some nasty nappy rash though and I read that can be a sign.

Just fed now on the bad side and it now feels like my nipple's on fire - not right at all. Think I'll have to tell tales on the ooh GP....

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FlamingGallah · 09/12/2013 02:40

Nipples "on fire" is exactly how I was going to describe my experience. They were also so itchy after a feed, deep inside, that I wanted to scratch them out. My LO also had horrific red raw shiny nappy rash that wouldn't heal with any nappy cream.

Because there were no white deposits in her mouth though, no one would believe it was thrush. I also wasn't massively keen on a long course of abx for me and LO (I'm not woo, I'm actually medical!), though of course would have done it if necessary. Extensive googling on treatment of nipple thrush found a treatment schedule, I think it was via kellymom as others have mentioned. It was written by a doctor and said that dabbing on grapefruit seed extract could help.

I was dubious but thought worth a try, and figured there might be some logic in a very acidic solution helping. It relieved it within a day. and cured within a couple.

I would agree with others, definitely seek help from informed professionals, but there are things you can try even if no one believes it is thrush. From my personal experience, you do not have to have white spots in baby's mouth.

Good luck and hope you get it sorted

NotQuiteCockney · 09/12/2013 09:10

It really doesn't sound like mastitis. It would be a good idea for you to call up one of the bf hotlines and talk it all through with someone.

If the pain is at its worst during feeding, odds are this is a latch issue. If the breast is more full, some babies will have a worse latch (either because they clamp down to stop milk from flowing too forcefully, or because they are struggling to get a good enough grip).

Dukester100 · 09/12/2013 09:48

Hi, I currently have thrush in both breasts - diagnosed by a lactation consultant not the GP. Deep stabbing pain on feeding almost like it was blocked and I have lost virtually all the pigmentation in my areolas which is thrush attacking the top layer of skin apparently. I also had mastitis a few weeks ago and the pain is similar but different. I think you know what mastitis is.

I am now on Fluconizole after requesting it from my GP. The pain has subsided but DS still has it all over his mouth despite daktarin twice daily max ml. I am still applying daktarin to myself. Just about to order some probiotics (super 8) for me and baby as apparently that also helps. Unfortunately I am not convinced it will go in DS and he'll pass it back to me and so on!

This has been going on for 7wks now so if you can please try and get it diagnosed quickly to avoid the frustration I have had. I would contact a local BF consultant, NHS or private for an opinion as GPs are not experts apparently. However, I am going to discuss at DS 8wk check tomorrow so if I get any advice will pass it on...

Also advised on here is to consider a yeast and sugar free diet which I am afraid I only kept up for two days before giving in to temptation as the BF turns me into a monster in the kitchen!!!

Good luck and hope it gets resolved quickly.

Original poster
OhPuddleducks · 09/12/2013 13:51

Thanks everyone - I got an emergency appt this morning and the GP was really good. Agreed it was thrush immediately and prescribed daktarin. She didn't give me drops for DS - said the gel would work on him if I applied it liberally enough. I have my six week post check next Monday so if things haven't improved I'm going to push for more treatment.

I'm sorry some of you have had such awful experiences and that gp's don't seem to be clued up on this.

(Don't think I could give up sugar/yeast normally, let alone when I'm bfing!)

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staverton · 09/12/2013 13:58

Excellent. If the daktarin doesn't work you will need fluconazole tablets.
IME daktarin rarely works alone (as both a doctor and a patient with nipple thrush)

Original poster
OhPuddleducks · 09/12/2013 15:13

Thanks Staverton - will push for that on Monday if things haven't improved.

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