Help - problems with latch and poss thrush

[bunnyrabbit]

TO cut a long story short:
Breast feeding fine for first 3 weeks, but having problems with latch and nipples getting more and more painful for past 2 weeks.

DS2 gaining weight and doing fine. bottom lip curled in and DS2 sucking on nipple.

Tried everything to get him to gape but no luck. Any suggestions welcome.

Also getting shooting pains in breasts.

Nice lady from NCT suggested could be trush so went to DRs. He has given me Daktarin cream for me and Nystatin drops for DS2.

Do I have thrush? Should I use the cream/drops? How long will it take to work?

Was all going so well for first 3 weeks, can't believe it's all going pear shaped.

BR

Hi there!!

I totally sympathise xx

It does sound like deep breast thrush to me - i am on 6th pg and have had this condition when feeding last 3 babies. It is trully awful but can be sorted!! Go to docs today and explain symptoms and he should give you Flucozonole tablets - double dose on first day and then you have to take daily for at least 8 weeks. This is not an instant cure but DOES work.

You should also use Lanzonole cream on nipples - this keeps them soft and prevents cracking and unlike other creams you don't have to wipe off before feeing. It is also worthwile getting mouth gel for LO in case thrush has come from his mouth and it will stop infection going round and round.

I hope you get this sorted soon - it will take a bit of time and real determination and perseverence from you but I found it worthwile and wen on to feed my LO's for a long, long time xxxxxx

Let me know how it goes xxx

Hi mps,
The DR said fluconazole was not recommended and he didn't know what dose to giveme so didn't. Do you think the Daktarin cream will work?

BR

If your GP will not prescribe Flucon then get your MW to do it or contact your Infant Nutrition person at the PCT. It is not licensed for use when bfing but is recommended by WHO.

I had good results with extract of grapefruit seed oil though. Took as Exspore tablets and used Citricidal in wash etc.

If you use a pump, bottles or dummy you need to sterilise in Milton until you get rid of the thrush as boiling will not kill it and you will get reinfection.

Thrush is awful but you can get through it and bfing can be fab again - I'm still going at over 2 years old.

thanks LL

Do you think the cream will work or should I insist on fluconazole? I've been signed off by the midwives so not sure if they'll help me. Not sure how I make the Dr perscribe it... can you cofirm what dosage you had?

Never heard of infant nutrition person at PCT.. any idea where I can contact this person?

Do you think the symptoms I describe are thrush, or could it just be the positining/latching?

BR

Hi bunnyrabbit
I have had thrush and it is a nightmare, but you can get rid of it. The cream and drops may work, so I would get started on that asap - you need to treat both you and your DS2 so you don't pass it between you.
I had cream for me and oral gel for DS to start with, but then we got Fluconazole from the doc as well. My HV faxed through a copy of this leaflet to the doc, (and he looked it up online) and as a result he was happy to prescribe me the lower dose as described in the leaflet. Perhaps it would be worth showing him the leaflet?
Laundrylover's sterilisation points are good - I also bolied my bras for 10 mins every other day!
Hope you get it sorted

Cheers strawberrylace. Have started using the cream and drops and will see now it goes.

WHat exactly were your symptoms? I have very sore nipples when DS is feeding and pains in my breasts after feeding.

BR

BR - those were my symptoms too! sharp stabbing pains like needles. It was so painful i was crying while he was feeding and only stubborness in not wanting to give up saw me through. The fluconazole was great and got rid of it.
I do hope you get it sorted...

BR, this is probably v obvious but also bear in mind the usual thrush advice, to cut down on yeasty things like breads, pastries, cakes and also any over-sugary stuff and possibly up your garlic intake.

Hi again

Creams only work for external thrush - if you have deep stabbing pains you need flucozonole. I had same prob with my gp 3 babies ago and I had to research it on the net and take evidence to health visitor and doc and they then agreed to give me it - it was a hellish time! This time I am due 18th July and my doc has given me prescription for flucozonole to begin taking as soon after the birth as possible. This type of thrush is hard to get rid of and can lie dormant in the body with no symptoms and it only becomes appartent once you bf again.

I have been given 50mg tabs - 2 on the first day and one each day after.

Good luck xxxx

Thanks guys.
Yes stabbing pains and feels like sand paper on my nipple, or a knife, when he's feeding. Also very painful afterwards and nipples very sensitive.

If no improvement by Monday I will go back to the doctor with all the literature everyone has kindly pointed me to.

Thanks again

BR

Carnival,
Please tell me more about garlic intake having an affect on trush.. not heard of this.

BR

bump

Hey BR!
I had this as did scorpio, we both got the fluconzale, you can actually buy it over the counter, I was given two 150mg tablets which combined with canesten and daktarin on my nips and daktarin on DS's mouth kiled it off pretty quick.

My sympathies, I know how horrid it is, but it doesn't take long for the pain to stop once you get treated, just takes a while to get ridf of it altogether.

Hiya,

Sorry for the delay, garlic is supposed to have anti-fungal qualities. Not sure if it's proven, but if you look up candida albicans, they often recommend as part of the treatment. I used to get dreadful thrush, albeit external; vag, dandruff, athletes foot the whole kit and caboodle and although I could treat each of them separately and get rid of them for a while, they'd always come back. I have now cut out white flour, almost entirely, drink loads of water, have lots of garlic and also try not to overdo it on the sugar. I only get the symptoms back if I fall off the wagon, usually at a kid's party - fairy cakes, sandwiches, etc.

I can't prove the garlic did it for me, because I changed other parts of my diet, but as kazbeth said, aside from the bad breath, it won't do you any harm.

Ps. Meant to say, good luck, I hope you can get rid of the pain soon.

Cheers guys. Pain is pretty intense at the mo so pretty sure now that this is not just poor latch and is thrush. Will go to chemist tomorrow and buy fluconazole.

I do eat garlic and will happily up my intake.. mm cheesy garlic bread!!!
Wil let you kow how I get on

Thnaks for the support

BR

Hi

Becareful eating to much garlic, it may not be true, but Italians say no garlic or onions whilst breastfeeding as it upsets baby.

thanks for the heads up chibeth.

I've bought two 150mg Fluconazole tablets. Can someone please tell me if I'm supposed to take them both at once or several days apart?

Also, I assume it is ok for me to use the Daktarine cream on my mipples at the same time..

Thanks

BR

I think I mean nipples!!!

I think you should take them one day after another but I still think you should see GP and get prescription because a one off might not work. I needed weeks of 50mg daily xxx

Good luck xx