Yeast Beast
Thrush….
If you are a breast feeding mama this word sends you into panic mode with good reason of course. With these simple tips you can navigate the yeast beast and come out on top.
What is thrush? It’s a fungal infection related to the overgrowth of yeast that is present in the mouth and GI tract. It thrives in warm moist areas such as the diaper area, nipples and baby’s mouth. Some of the common risk factors for yeast include nipple trauma, antibiotic or steroid use, breast pads that are not changed often and nipple shields.
So how do you know if you or your baby have it? Symptoms for the mother can include shooting pain in the breasts, sore nipples, itchy flaky nipple area or white dots, vaginal yeast infection or the mother can be asymptomatic. Your little one can experience a red diaper rash that is generally unrelieved with cream, gassiness and extreme fussiness, white spots in the mouth, refusal to nurse or they can also be asymptomatic.
So you have it now how do you get rid of it? It’s important to note that mom and baby need to be treated in order to stop them from continually passing to one another. Treatment needs to be for AT LEAST 2 weeks after symptoms to disappear as well, this is one hearty beast and can come back full force if not.
Nystatin for mom and baby. OR Diflucan or other antifungal that mom will pass along in breast milk.
Increase garlic intake
Probiotics these are my absolute favorite
Eliminate sugars and carbs
HOT water to wash clothes and accessories
Vinegar washes
Grapefruit seed extract and tea tree oil
Wash: bras, underwear, cloth diapers, towels, breast pads ( anything that came in contact with your breasts)
Sterilize: pacifiers, bottles, breast pump, nipple shields
