Please remind me why i am doing this again? BF-ing

[scorpio1]

Baby is 5 weeks and we appear to have thrush for the 2nd time. She is also feeding all the time, growth spurt time maybe?

Her mouth has it as do my nipples. Yesterday she was on my boob for hours, she isn't normally.

All i thought about yesterday was formula. She is my 3rd baby but first breastfed one so i am very new to this.

i have never been given fluconazole, what is it?

It's tablets, you should have had 150/300mg for a loader dose, and then ten days worth of 50mg tablets.

I was only given two 150mg tablets, took one then the next 24hhrs later, combined with the daktarin it seemed to work but I'm not even 100% sure Alex's has gone, especially as he's been really fretful/windy again the last day or two.

I think fluconazole can be bought over the counter in a chemist, I'm sure the ones I bought can be.

They do say not to take whilst breastfeeding, but if you look at the bfn leaflet it says how much should be taken.

If the thrush doesn't go it might be worth popping along to your docs or the out-of-hours GP with the BfN leaflet printed out to tell them what you want.

i will wait and see how we do with the gel and my cream...bloody thrush

Hopefully it's just the bra's that have stopped it being combated properly, that way it should (fingers crossed) disappear.

and her dummy. i have been changing bras nearly every day and nipples dont touch the bras anyway, i always wear pads.

i think i stopped meds too early last time tbh.

My GP won't prescribe the fluconazole which is why i can't get rid of the thrush. You can definitely buy the 150mg tablet over the counter (but don't tell the pharmacist you're breastfeeding) but not sure about the lower dose course. I took one which didn't shift it but going to try two 24 hours apart and see if that does the trick.

hi scorpio. sorry you are suffering, but you have had great advice about the growth spurt. I totally empathise about the thrush as we had it on and off for over six months.

You really need to see your GP and get treatment for both of you.

thrush advice from The Breastfeeding Netowrk. Print off this leaflet and then take it with you to your GP. Refuse to leave until he gives you the fluconazole as it si the only thing that will shift the thrush from your ducts (you too picallili). The reason doctors won't prescribe it, is that it;s not licensed for BFing. However, as the BfN leaflet expalins, the amount that gets through in BM is less than that licensed for infants to take orally, so where can be the harm.. They also have to take responsibility for prescribing it so are understandably wary. Tell them that you know about this and are prepared to take the risk.

Yes you can but it over the couter, but the cheapest I found was £6 a tablet, and as you need to take 150mg as a loading dose and then 50mg twice a day for ten days, it gets very very expensive.

you could also try talking to your HV or CMW. Mine were able to tell me which GP in our practice was most clued up about BFing issues. She was more than happy to prescribe the fluconazole for me.

I hope that the growth spurt is over soon and that you get some respite from the thrush.

sounds like you are doing a fab job otherwise. The first few weeks are bloody hard, but it does get better

Just a thought, when I called the out-of-hours GP, they called the midwifery centre in my county and got a midwife to tell them what to prescribe, is there anywhere you could call like that? Maybe even the maternity ward? Especially as it's a bank holiday weekend, good reason not to be able to see a GP and three days is certainly not an easy waiting period with painful thrush, just press the 'I'm not sure I can continue to BF with this' line, hopefully someone will help.

Good idea VS

have got daktarin now, it says twice a day on the label, is that correct?

I do it after every feed. A small amount, bout as big as a toothpaste sized amount, rub into his top of mouth and tongue, then rub onto my breasts, it seems to keep it at bay at the least.
Go along to your GP tuesday though and try and get the fluc.

Do even wash your fancy bras at 60 just once before you wear them again. The thrush can live in your bras for quite a while and if you were to wear them again in a few weeks you might still get another dose of thrush. It's such a bugger

Scorpio, a good tip for nipple thrush is to make up a solution of 50/50 vinegar and water and bathe your nipples with it on cotton wool after each bf, allow them to dry before using the cream or gel you have. The vinegar doesn't give the thrush a good place to grow. LLL gave me that tip and it really does help.

Gosh the glamour of being a mother of a newborn eh?

will get some vinegar stuff made up then. Thanks