Any advice out there? BF 1 year old

[NaccetyMac]

Well, he'll be one next week.

He's had oral thrush AGAIN which I am treating with Daktarin gel (using it in his mouth and on nipples.)

Now I have a massive lump, 3 red marks and a lot of pain in one boob. Clearly a blocked duct, but it's properly sore - affecting my shoulder and arm as well, and making me wince in pain if anyone even brushes against me.

I've been feeding him mainly off the sore side, using heat and massage.

Oh, he fed LOADs yesterday - but is also consitpated today.

Any ideas what might be going on? And what I can do to stop this turning into mastitis? Thanks x

Really late so have to go to bed but

if one of you has thrush you both need to be treated or you will keep infecting the other.

Try different positions. YOu want to get his chin where the lumps are. Also feeding on all fours (v. weird) but incredibly effective. Try combing the lumps with a wide toothed comb. Massage wtih olive oil, supportive bra, massage your norks in the shower or bath.

I wouldn't worry about the constipation - probably nothing to do with the above.

Mastitis can be worsened by stress - if there is anyway you can pull a sickie tomorrow and lie in bed with gossip mags improving reading then that would be good

Sounds very painful and rubbish for you - hope it works soon.

Ouch, poor you and your DS

I had loads of thrush with my DD and it took ages to clear. Have you been getting treatment for thrush as well, or just the baby? If just him, then you may well be reinfecting each other. the thrush can cause inflammation of the ducts which can lead to blocked ducts or mastitis which might explain your current blockage.

there is some information here on kellymom about thrush causing blocked ducts, and here on the breastfeeding network about thrush treatment. doctors can be reluctant to prescribe oral fluconazole to BFing mothers, but if you take this leaflet with you it might help, or see a GP who is BFing friendly.

I hope you get things cleared up, and keep an eye on that blockage incase it gets to the point that you need ABs.

Oh, and there is some information on treating blockages on kellymom as well

Thanks x

I bought the Daktarin OTC as it has been prescribed before - we both use the gel (because it means I don't have to be washing cream off before a feed!) I think the thrush is probably the cause though.

I fed DD and DS1 for over a year each and never had a single problem like this - DS2 we have had thrush on and off at least 6 times, and this is the fourth time I've had a blocked duct - it's gone to mastitis eveery other time.

I think that a course of oral fluconazole is needed to help you get this under control. you can also use self help measures like avoiding alcohol, yeast and sugary things, taking acidophilus capsules, or else grapefruit seed essence or green australian bush flower remedy can help too.

It took me over six months to be rid of it, and I was a slave to blocked ducts as well. It wasn't till afterwards though that I made the connection between the thrush and the recurrent blocked ducts.

If all else fails and your doc refuses to prescribe the oral fluconazole, you can buy it OTC (but is very expensive as you need a ten day course) or you can get it cheaper online.

Thanks for advice. Have been prescribed the oral fluconazole which seems to be helping. Lump has gone pretty much, although I still have a bruise in a fetching shade of yellow. Doc was really, really supportive, thank goodness, the number of tuts and eye rolls I am getting atm for still feeding is getting tiresome.

Thanks again x

Great stuff NaccetyMac and YAY!! for supportive GPs . I hope things get back to normal quickly for you, but I expect it will feel tender for a good few days yet.

I am right with you on the tuts and rolling eyes though. My DS is almost 14 months and I'm feeling more and more like the local freak when I feed him and am finding myself not feeding in the day much, especially when I'm out and about. Not sure how much of that is in my head though and how much of it is real iyswim?

One more thing for you though re blockages; is his latch OK? My DS can be quite lazy these days and when he is teething it seems to cause more latching issues and potential blockage issues.

and maybe we should start a "fledgling extended BFer" thread?

I think we probably could have latching issues - I don't really pay attention tbh, and he does some quite acrobatic feeding! And the teeth, owwwww to those! He has 6 and they are SHARP.

Thread's a good idea - should we call it the "Why are you doing that, he's old enough for formula?"

NM hope things get easier for you.
I do agree it might be worth keeping an eye on his latch, older babies can be a bit lazy/rough and this may be making things worse.
Also if you are prone to thrush cutting out booze and sugar/yeast etc as Daisy says will really help, even though its a pita.

I am still feeding DS2 who is 2.6 (fed DS1 till same-ish age), there are lots of other long term b-feeders around, esp on MN, so hope you don't feel too alone...

we've got an extended breastfeeder thread going already - just take a look under the breast and bottle threads, I posted on it earlier.

thanks Chairmum...will seek it out