Yuck. We have thrush. Yesterday when we visited the pediatrician about Annabelle’s ongoing cough (it’s viral, allergies, the real answer: not sure), the ped. discovered yeast in the back of her mouth. Thrush! I was wondering why I felt uncomfortable and sore when Annabelle is nursing . . . We’ve been passing thrush back and forth via breastfeeding.
Luckily there’s a few things we can do. 1) The ped. prescribed Nystatin, 1 ml droplets 4 times daily in each cheek as well as Nystatin for mommy’s breasts, 2) pro-biotics in food form and additive form, 3) stay clean and dry, and 4) visit mom’s mid-wife to treat mom’s thrush.
I am still a bit grossed out by our “condition,” although it’s pretty common, and apparently we’re all yeast carriers anyway; it’s just that yeast feeds on sugar and occurs when good bacteria is low. I read up a bit about thrush and found the following links helpful:
Well, that about sums it up. Kind of gross and uncomfortable, but I’m glad it’s not serious. If thrush happens to you and your little one, I’m guessing that the above articles may tell you all you’ll ever want to know about thrush and yeast.
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/116.cfm
This article was helpful for me in understanding my daughter’s yeast infection, which the doctor tells me is caused by her low zinc levels. According to my pediatrician, most of the facts about adult yeast infections apply to all yeast infections, be they thrush, vaginal, or diaper rash. One nurse even recommended rubbing yogurt on my daughter’s butt for the L. acidophilus if I didn’t want to give her yogurt just yet. We’ve been prescribed nystatin as well, in the cream form, and it seems to be working well, but only after we got Abby on a zinc supplement so that her body would help fight the infection. Keep me posted!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I had a tremendous issue with thrush while I was nursing. I tried just about every medication, and the only thing that relieved it was gentian violet. Yes, it is very messy, it does stain and makes your breasts look like they are alien (as well as your kid’s purple mouth!), but it worked!
I looked it up on Dr. Sears’ website and it gave the following info. There is a caution about using it too much and links to cancer of the mouth…but as a last resort so you can continue nursing & used sparingly, it provided much needed relief.
From Dr. Sears’ Website:
If the candida is resistant to the standard treatments described above, in consultation with your healthcare provider, try a 0.25 - 0.5 percent solution of gentian violet applied to your nipples twice a day for three days. Gentian violet is effective, but messy. Also, apply a small amount once a day to baby’s mouth, but be aware that overuse of gentian violet may irritate the sensitive oral mucus membranes of baby’s mouth. Apply Vaseline to baby’s lips before using the gentian violet to avoid purple stains.
Warning - gentian violet has been used for many years to treat thrush. A recent study done in Australia has linked gentian violet to cancer of the mouth. However, many other professionals around the world believe that it is safe, and continue to recommend it. For this reason, we suggest you use this remedy sparingly, and for as little time as possible.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Yes, I read about gentian violet too. We will definitely give it a try if our thrush doesn’t clear up in a day or two. To add to my dd’s condition, she has a cough that won’t quit. The ped. prescribed antibiotics but told us to hold off (because of the thrush) unless our dd’s cough worsens.
In the meantime, we are using nystatin, eating lots of yogurt, and I am taking a probiotic. To be honest, I’m feeling much better. It’s my little one who I worry about.