How to get rid of stubborn nipple thrush

[soontobeamum1982]

My baby is almost seven weeks old and we have been battling bad thrush for three weeks now. The first week was unbearable - pain far worse than labour when feeding - and tracked back to my ducts causing mastitis (requiring ABs) but after the doctor prescribed an anti-fungal cream for my nips, nystan for her mouth (even though she doesn't have symptoms) and a 14 day course of fluconazole for me things improved.

But they didn't go away....

Nipples are still pink, itchy and tender to the touch/sensitive to clothes etc. Cracks and breaks still not healing. I still have stabbing pains tracking back from the nipple, and it's still very uncomfortable (if not outright murder) to feed. We are going through the six week growth spurt too much means LO is nursing v regularly and my nips are not getting a break. For some reason pumping just doesn't work for me - I can barely get 50ml when I'm obviously producing loads more milk as my baby is gaining weight fine.

I also have nipple blanching and pain, presumably from the damage.

My latch isn't perfect as my baby is v small, but it's not terrible and we did have a fortnight of pain free feeding before this hit. Lots of BF counsellors have witnessed the latch and helped me tweak it so i'm not sure there's much more we can do there.

The doctor has just given me another 7 day course of the fluc and a another tube of cream and pot of nystan for LO.

Things I've tried so far:

• prescription meds (as detailed above)
• taking acidophilious
• eating live yoghurt
• washing nips after every feed
• washing hands regularly
• changing bra and top daily
• washing all bras, tops, baby clothes, muslins etc at 60 degrees
• ditching lanolin (moistness encourages yeast apparently)
• air drying nipples/ time with top off every day
• ditching breast pads
• sitting with nipples out in the sunlight

Nothing is working and if anything they feel a little worse today. I really don't want to give up breastfeeding but I can't see how I can go on like this for another month, let alone five more months.

Has anyone managed to beat a very stubborn/drug resistant form of thrush? How did they do it? I just want to enjoy feeding again.

Hi, I don't have experience of this but wanted to message as I really struggled with bf too just different issues. I didn't want to stop either so I know how you feel.

I'd post on the infant feeding board as you might get more help there, also if you haven't already, call the nct bf helpline and the la leche league helpline.

Good luck and I hope it works out. You are doing amazingly.

Also the Kelly mom website is great for bf help.

Hi there, I had exactly the same thing and it was awful!! I would cry in pain when breastfeeding and I couldnt have anything at all touching my nipples, it hurt SO much.
This is how is solved it and kept it away.
Treat yourself for thrush- use an antifungal and cortisone cream after every feed. Use a nipple shield for breastfeeding for about a week while your nipples recover. Treat baby too because there is no point just treating yourself of baby has it too, you'll just get it again. We used Nilstat on baby and it was gone within 10 days, you need to apply after every feed.

Good luck and ask if you have any more questions xx

Also, have you checked for tongue tie? My baby was tongue tied and breastfeeding hurt so much until it was snipped and a bettr latch established.

No advice but had a chuckle as the post below you was in regards to a toilet brush!!.
Bit harsh on the nips though!