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Thrush/Nipple Yeast/Candida
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You are probably here for one of the following reasons:
You will find help in the following: When you purchase products from me, I am available to provide additional help and suggestions by email to fine-tune these recommendations for your situation. |
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Candida albicans is the one-celled organism that causes thrush, nipple yeast,
and vaginal yeast infections. It is a fungus that thrives in moist, dark environments
such as baby’s mouth, on the nipples, in the milk ducts, in the mother’s
vagina, and in the baby’s diaper area. A contributing factor in the
occurrence of candida in either mother or baby is the frequent use of antibiotics.
If you or your baby have taken antibiotics in the last few months, that increases
the probability that you may be suffering from candida. Candida of the nipple
tissue is more likely to occur when there is a breakdown in the integrity
of the skin (i.e. sore or cracked nipples during the first weeks of breastfeeding).
This is another reason why a good latch is important from the very first day.
:-)
The following are some questions designed to help you determine if
you or your baby has a yeast overgrowth or infection. Of course, a definitive
diagnosis from your health care provider is always important. Unfortunately
many health care professionals are reluctant to accept the idea that yeast
(which sometimes cannot be seen) can cause so many problems in the breastfeeding
mother and her baby.
| Have you noticed white spots in your baby's mouth? |
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| Is there a white coating on your baby's tongue an hour after feeding? |
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Does your baby have a bright
red diaper rash?
Is your baby gassy, fussy, or not nursing well due to oral thrush? |
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| Is the area around the tip of your nipple pink, red, itchy, flaky or shiny? |
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Do you feel a burning sensation on your nipples either during or between
feedings?
Do you have a cracked nipple which won't heal?
Do you feel shooting pains in your breast (different from the sensation of
the milk-ejection reflex)?
Do you have a history of vaginal yeast infections any time in the past 5 years?
Have you had a pain-free breastfeeding experience until recently? Do your
current symptoms represent a sudden change?
Have you or your baby completed a recent course of antibiotic treatment? The
use of antibiotics increases susceptibility to yeast infections.
Did you have a cesarean birth, or were you diagnosed with a vaginal Strep-B
infection? After a cesarean birth, women are often given antibiotics. A woman
with a diagnosis of vaginal Strep-B may receive antibiotics during labor.
Have you used steroids for conditions such as asthma? The use of steroids
can alter the body's immune response, making it susceptible to yeast overgrowth.
Did you have a yeast skin rash under your breasts during pregnancy?
Do you have diabetes?
Does anyone else in the family have a thrush or yeast infection?
Note: Sore nipples due to a poor latch-on technique, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis
and bacterial infections can potentially present with symptoms similar to
yeast. If you can identify other potential causes for your discomfort, don’t
necessarily assume that you have yeast.
If you answered “yes” to one or more of the questions
listed above, then you may have an overgrowth of candida.
Thrush (or yeast) is a fungus that rarely goes away on its own! Successful
eradication of yeast usually requires making simultaneous changes for you
and your baby.
Helpful suggestions for yeast overgrowth in the breastfeeding mother and/or
her baby are in Yeast
Overgrowth Suggestions.
Janet Talmadge, BA, IBCLC
Lactation Innovation, Naperville, IL
Web site: lactationinnovation.com
(630) 357-0028
Changing the world, one healthy breastfed baby at a
time!
