Breastfeeding and Thrush :-(

[Salmonspringroll]

DD is 4 weeks old and EBF. just started getting into a pain free routine with her and thrush has hit. It started in her mouth and has now passed onto my nipples but god I'm sore! Get sharp shooting pains after every feed and have began dreading a feed again. Visited GP yesterday and was given daktatin for myself and Nystatin for DD. Her mouth is clearing already but I'm still in pain.
Need some positive stories here to keep me going! Anyone else had and recovered? Tell me it gets better :-) xx

It gets better and then you won't believe how painless it is.

Daktarin didn't work for me but Canasten on my nipples after every feed ( gently wash it off before next feed) worked within 2 days.
Best of luck

Canesten just from pharmacy? My nipples are slightly cracked, do I put it on there or just around? Still using my lanisoh too. It's starting to feel abit better, one breast hurting more than the other. Resorted to holding a warm flannel on boobs before feeding. DD's mouth has cleared up very quickly.... Tempted to use her nystatin on my boobs!

Had it with both mine and with ds1 took a little while for pains to go with nystatin. Much quicker with ds2. It does get better I promise and then bf gets so much easier - good luck!

Yup, the same Canasten you would use for thrush on your vagina.
Honestly, we had daktirin for over a week with no effect. I tried Canasten and it went almost immediately.

Oh god, you have my sympathies. I had this and it was utter misery - you need to hit it hard.

If you're getting really deep pain, then you may need either a course or one hit pill of Fluconazole (sp?)
Daktarin cream on your nipples.
I used Daktarin gel in DS mouth, but he was older - 16wks - and it's not recommended for really little ones as there's a choking risk - so maybe stick with the nystan.
A tip I had from a bf counsellor was to put cling film over your nipples after you've put the cream on. That way it doesn't dry or soak into your bra. I just put lansinoh on once a day to keep them moisturised.
Change boob pads every feed
Wash bras, towels etc on a HOT wash every day. It seemed ridiculous but I was out to beat that bastard thrush once and for all!!
Be scrupulous on hand washing. No double dipping on tubes of cream. Sterilise nipple shields after each use if your nipples are that busted up that you need a bit of protection!

You will get rid of it, and oh, the relief! I would have mastitis several times over than have thrush again.
Hang on in there!

Sorry. Forgot the positive bit..

It goes. Your nipples heal. You realise one day that the dread isn't there before a feed anymore and that your not curling your toes in agony.

10 months and I'm still feeding. There were many days when I was going to stop but I'm now so glad that I didn't.

Take acidophilus tablets. You can get them from Holland and Barratt or an online order. They are super strong pro biotics. They are fantastic. They contain stacks of the healthy bacteria that make our difficult for thrush to thrive.

They are fine to take when breastfeeding. Google thrush, breastfeeding and acidophilus. La leche league and kellymom etc have info on suggested dosage.

Seriously I cannot recommend this stuff enough

Good luck

Doc gave me nystatin to use on my nipples! Downside is that you have to peel whatever clothing you're wearing off the sugary mess when it dries. Fun. It will get better though, the first month of breastfeeding was painful as hell. I absolutely love it now (lo 14 weeks). You will get through it!

Another one here recommending canasten for you! Ours cleared up after a couple of days and now seems a distant (well 4 weeks ago) memory.

It's does get better honestly, I thought I was going to have to stop breastfeeding as I just ended up crying before/during/after each feed it was so painful

Thankyou for this thread! I'm off to docs tomorrow as I'm sure we have thrush :( it feels like razor blades are coming thru my nips with every feed!

I bfed Dd1 for well over 2years with hardly no trouble, everything seems to be much more difficult 2nd time round :(

Good to hear it will hopefully be gone within days. Thanks OP x

Fluconazole worked eventually for me, along with Canasten for the nipples and Nystatin for the baby. I also took strong probiotics.

It took about a week after I finished the course of Fluconazole for it to feel like it has fully gone. At one point I thought it was coming back, but luckily it didn't.