The breast feeding network... Thrush and breastfeeding

[Baileysmummy]

I got this off the hospital so thought i would share it with any breast feeding mums out there!

Presenting symptoms which suggest the presence of CANDIDIAL INFECTION

* Bilataral pain
* Pain which increases after a breast feed has finished and continues for up to an hour afterwards
* Increased nipple sensitifity
* Nipples may become red or lose colour permanantly
* Absence of red area on the breast
* History of recent use of antibiotics
* History of nipple trauma which has been resolved by optimal postioning and attachment
* Absence of pyrexia
* Baby with oral symptoms of thrush

Re-examination of postioning and attachment of the baby at the breast should be undertaken by a specialist before a decision is taken to treat. Other conditions causing breast pain should be rules out first.

These include:

* Sub-optimal positioning and attachment
* Eczema
* Unresolved engorgement
* Tongue tie in the baby
* White spot or galactocele
* Raynauds syndrome

Although there is little research eveidence, there is a growing anecdotal experience that treatment is effective and mothers are enabled to continue pain-free breastfeeding. Without treatment very few women are able to deal the severity of pain from thrush and are forced to cease breastfeeding earlier than they would have wished.

*FLUCONAZOLE is not licensed to be given to lactating women. Docters are required to take full liability for use. The amount that gets through to breastmilk is 0.6mg/kg/day. The amount which could be given to the baby within the license is 6mg/kg/day (hale). Studies on the use of in premature babies weighing under 1000 grams have demonstrated succesful outcomes ( Kaufman). The dose of FLUCONAZOLE is 150-300mg as a loading dose followed by 50-100mg twice dailey for 10 days

* Previous use of NYSTATIN TABLETS 500,000 units to treat the mother orally has been documented but the poor absortion from the gut resluts in delay in acheiving resolution of symptoms and re-occurences.

* There would appear to be some evidence that the use of MICONAZOLE ORAL GEL is preferable to NYSTATIN SUSPENSION with greater efficacy within a shorter period. The baby's oarl mucosa needs to be coated with the preparation and not just the tongue. Care should be taken to sterlise the dropper or spoon if it touches the baby's mouth. Treatment needs to be one 5ml spoonful at least 4 times a day to acchieve resolution of symptoms. This is greater than the PIL



If you have any questions you can contact


BFN ( The breast feeding network)
PO BOX 11126
PAISLEY
PA28YB

Support line on 08709008787 ( 9.30am to 9.30 pm every day)

WWW.BREASTFEEDINGNETWORK.ORG.UK

 

[Fiona]

thanks for this post sss........ very helpful

 

[budge]

shiny smooth nipples are also a sign

 

[Riley's Mommy]

thats really interesting. thanks for posting this up.

i looked at rileys mouth today and it doesnt seem to be improving.i hope it does soon.

my doc said something about the fluconazole entering the milk, so will help riley also. lets hope so

 

[Lyndsey]

Please be aware that if you use lansinoh cream to ward off sore nipples when you have thrush that this actually feeds the yeast and makes it worse!

Also you should boil everything that comes into contact with baby's mouth, dummies, teats, even toys. They need to be boiled for 5 mins at least sterelising them does not get rid of yeast. Also, wear breast pads and replace reguarly ( after each feed) and wash bras on hot and iron them to kill the yeast.

I had thrush for months but with the above advice got rid of it in a week!