Confused and feeling blue...DD2 has thrush

[BakewellTarts]

Diagnosed last week and I've been advised to treat with Nystatin drops for her and Daktarin cream for me after every feed.

So far doesn't seem to be doing much. DD2's tongue is still covered.

Anyone know how long it takes to sort out thrush? Or any other ideas that would help DD2 get over this quickly.

Also I seem to have stumbled into a local disagreement among health professionals. Nystatin was prescribed last week by a very well respected BF specialist. Unfortunately I can't get to her clinic this week and so have seen a colleague who has prescribed Daktarin gel. I was told a week ago that DD2 couldn't have this but this week its the best treatment. Now feeling confused and would like some thoughts on this.

nystatin did nothing to clear my ds's mouth, but daktarin did it in two days. How old is your dd? They have stopped prescibing it for babies under four months.

is the daktarin working for you? Hers wont clear until yours does.

How old is your DD2?

DS had both nystatin and daktarin (the daktarin was better) when he was about 6m. He had thrush for ages but that wasn't helped by either me or him being on antibiotics. We also used probiotics in ebm which did some good.

(He also got constipation from it - something to look out for...) I hope you get it sorted.

Thanks for your reply madmouse.

DD is now 3.5 months so just under that cut off...do you know why they changed the age limit? I guess I thought that the specialist would know more but am concerned that her colleague thought it was OK to give DD the gel.

I don't really have many symptoms so its hard to know whether I'm clear or not. I did have itchy breasts a while ago but wasn't getting any pain (luckily) we were both prescribed treatment because thrush was identified in DD.

Thanks to you too Chaotica (great name BTW).

Fortunately no anti bios to muddy the issue with us.

I'll look out for constipation, no sign so far but I don't need anything else to make DD unhappy.

I've been wondering whether part of the problem is that DD HATES the Nystatin and spits most of it out so theres not enough left to coat her tongue / mouth. I don't see any way to solve this though.

The daktarin was removed for babies under four months as it presents a choking hazard, if you shove a big gobbit in their mouth and leave them to it.

I had nystatin for my DS when he was a week old, and although it cleared it to begin with, the thrush came back when he was just over two weeks old and the nystatin wouldn't shift it. I discussed it with my very experienced and wise GP and we decided that we would go with the daktarin (as this had been OK when my DD had it at 3months only 16 months previously). I coated my little finger in a thin layer of daktarin and then let DS suck my finger for a bit. The thrush was gone within two days and hasn't come back.

I think with the case of daktarin, and medised as another example, if you are sensible and careful then the risks are minimal.

I hope you both get sorted soon

BakewellTarts for me it took two courses of fluconazole as well as the daktarin cream and nystatin (which my baby also spat up most of..) to get rid of it - but then I had had it a long time so that's not to say it would take you that many drugs! But worth considering. For the best advice on treatment of thrush check out the breastfeeding network leaflet. Fluconazole is not technically licenced for use with breastfeeding but that is because the company doesn't want to invest in trials, not because it's bad! Take the leaflet to your GP because they often are clueless on latest treatment options/ recommendations.

Also, worth considering cutting down on sugar. I cut out all sugar, diary, caffeine, alcohol for 2 weeks (eek!) but then I did have it bad.. also, grapefruit seed extract (not grapeseed extract, that's different) is supposed to help. Gtet the tablet rather than liquid form though, just cos the liquid tastes absolutely vile!

best of luck and LOADs of sympathy.

Here's a link to the leaflet (or rather, page you can find leaflet on)

Daktarin gel is allegedly a choking hazard, but no baby has ever choked on it apparently. It's the manufacturers covering their backs. if you smear it over the mouth so it's not in a glob it should be fine.

I got it for A when he was 10 weeks, and with yet more flucanazole for me (Nystatin hadn't worked for him, so I kept getting it), it worked wonderfully - felt better in a few days. I also took grapefruitseed extract and went on a sugar-free diet for 3 weeks (less grim once I bought good sugar-free chocolate). The gfs extract is bitter but ok in a bit of smoothie.

Loads of sympathy and best wishes!

LackaDaisycal, KiwiPanda and Notcitrus thankyou for taking the time to reply.

I'm reassured by your posts that the gel will be OK to use. I wasn't planning on putting a big gob of it in DDs mouth and surprised that anyone would consider it .

Agree entirely LackaDaisycal that we seem to be increasingly treated like idiots with regard to medication and our children. I was so surprised to find that the Medised licence had changed too. Its not at all helpful at this rate there will be nothing we can use to help our DCs.

KiwiPanda, thanks for the link looks very useful. I am trying to cut out refined sugars doing the low GI thing to improve general health and its nice to think that it might help with this problem too.

Notcitrus, I'll look into grapefruitseed extract I guess a health food shop might stock it, must have a look in town tomorrow.

green bushflower essence is good too and can also be given to your DD.