Thrush/Nipple Yeast/Candida

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?
Is there a white coating on your baby's tongue an hour after feeding?
Does your baby have a bright red diaper rash? Is your baby gassy, fussy, or not nursing well due to oral thrush?
Is the area around the tip of your nipple pink, red, itchy, flaky or shiny?

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!