Poor latch or thrush?

[backonthedecaff]

I've bfed twice before and not really had this problem but... I have sore / burning nipples - sometimes worse than others. I also have shooting-y type breast pains after feeding and white spots on my nipple. I know, however, that my dd is really poor at latching on (doesn't open her mouth - and I really can't persuade her too but know she will get better with age as my others did!). No one can tell me if the soreness etc is the result of a poor attachment or thrust! Have already tried using daktarin but it made me more sore. Help, it's beginning to depress me.

Obviously, that should have read "poor attachment or thrush"!

have you been able to check in her mouth to see if she has any sign of it?

if you do treat for thrush you need to treat both of you

She has no sign of it, although I know that doesn't necessarily mean she hasn't got it. I really want to know if there are any features of thrush that don't apply to poor attachment...?

the pains I used to get with thrush would start 10 mins into a feed and would give me shooting pains into my armpits for about half an hour afterwards. I also used to get a general ache deep in my boobs which was pretty constant. I don't think that sort of pain would happen if it was just poor attachment.

There is some good stuff on www.kellymom.com and on www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BFN_Thrush.pdf

the fact that you have white spots though sounds like thrush.

daktarin is one of those neds that can cause reactions in some people. My DH used it for athletes foot and it made a right mess of his feet.

has she been fussy at the breast? biting or chewing and pulling off? because that can be a sign, even if she doesn't have white patches in her mouth

I have had this too and have also bf my previous dc's with no probs.
I have used clotramizol, but still suffering on and off dd2 nearly 4 months.
GP next to useless said it wasn't mastitis so take paracetamol.
The pain can be awful at times but comes and goes. Has been contionuous from about two weeks. I have white spots too.
HV said thrush. DD got no sing in her mouth but has been treated for skin infection with abs / daktarin.

to treat ongoing/recurring thrush you have to be really scrupulous with everything.

treat yourself, with either canesten, daktarin or if you can get it fluconazole tablets.

treat baby with daktarin oral gel or nystatin and be sure to apply after a feed so it stays there for longer

use disposable breast pads and change frequently

change your bra daily and wash it hot

don't re-use your towel/flannel etc if you've used it on your breasts

keep on doing this even after symptoms have gone, to make sure it's REALLY gone.

I've had horrible thrush with both my babies, and also had awful latch problems with the first and the 2 are very similar. but if treated properly thrush WILL go.
if you're still suffering from symptoms after this long you need to see a BFC to rule out any latch problems

agree with thisisyesterday.......it took me over six months to fully get rid of it as DD and I kept reinfecting each other. Once I was scrupulous with it, it cleared up for good.

doctors are woefully ill-informed about it and some don't even recognise that the thrush can get into the milk ducts (one of the GPs at my practice actually prescribed me a vaginal pessary )

lilyloo print off the BfNs leafelt and take it to your doc (your HV should know which GP in your practice is most clued up on BFing matters). they don't like prescribing the tablets are they aren't licensed for BFing, but research shows that the amount that gets through is less than that which can be prescribed orally for babies. The GP has to take responsibility for it and won't be insured. you have to be quite forceful about it.