Never once did I have troubles breastfeeding Mr. E – for 21 months.
So far I’ve had one hell of a time with W. We had bad latch leading to the most horrific pain, a nursing strike at eleven weeks old, and now thrush. It is so awfully painful and I am just fed up with it all.
My doula has suggested I:
- apply probiotics to my nipples and to W’s gums
- sun my breasts
- cut/reduce my sugar intake (sugar feeds yeast)
- switch to disposable breast pads (boo!)
All of which I am doing, but I’d love to hear from the internets, what have you done to successfully kick it?
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September 18, 2010 at 11:25 pm
shelby
i’m a fellow “june mama” on the PF website (we shared a PM re: co-sleeping with our kids a while back). anyhow, had AWFUL thrush for months with my firstborn. they kept giving me and her nystatin, which did little for us besides keeping it somewhat at bay, but it would flare back up when we stopped. did the probiotics and everything else your doula suggested. what finally kicked it was dr. jack newman’s all purpose nipple ointment (check out his website online for details – you probably need a compounding pharmacy to make for you) along with grapefruit seed extract. i’m not sure which of the two did the trick – ‘tho i’m guessing the APNO was the winner. BTW, i’ve also heard that gentian violet can be very effective – i was just reluctant to give it a try as it can be rather strong and it also leaves an awful purple stain. best of luck and hope the job/insurance situation is quickly resolved as well! ~shelby
September 27, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Donor Egg Bank
I have heard to try to nibble with your nipple in your son’s gum, and play with it and hopefully he will catch on to it. Hope your are back to breastfeeding in no time
September 30, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Hydie
My 2nd son and I (he’s now 15) chased thrush back and forth for about 3 months too. And then, when it finally cleared up in him and on my nipples, I actually ended up getting thrush in my mouth. Anyway, if you can take Diflucan, it will eradicate it from your system entirely. It just wipes yeast out. I did end up using gentian violet in addition to the nyostatin for my son. Using both finally kicked in with him.
By the way, I am nursing again for a third time after a 12 year hiatus. I am taking Lecithin supplements and it really has helped create good breast health. I suffered from so many breast infections with my 2nd (son again). I think Lecithin might be keeping away the yeast too.