Hi. Has anyone out there had any experience with thrush. My DS has had a mild dose since birth, which none of the professionals was concerned about. Now I have it on my breasts (I think) - itchy nipples, shooting pains during and after feeds in the breast. I saw my GP, who recommended some Nilstat drops for DS, but nothing for me. Just wanted to know what others have tried and what helped. Thanks in advance.

We battled with thrush for about the first 3 or 4 months - in my DD's mouth and on my nipples. What worked for us was a combination of Daktarin cream (from the chemist) and inner health plus tablets. The daktarin can be put on your nipples and doens't have to be washed off when you feed. Also it helps to air dry your nipples alot and change breast pads frequently

Your symptoms sounds exactly like what I had so i would say there is a fair chance it is thrush! It's very annoying and nearly was the end of my B/feeding! But we are still going strong now at 15 1/2 months! I have also had it a few times again, but the above always clears it up!

HTH

Kirsten

I had it on the nipples and bubs had it in his mouth. I used Daktarin oral gel (just off the shelf from the chemist) which you rub in bub's mouth (on his cheeks and gums etc.) after a feed and on your nipples (4 times a day). It made things better within a day or two, but you have to keep putting it on after the symptoms disappear or it comes back !

from what i've heard, the nilstat is fairly useless compared to daktarin.

Also if you are expressing and giving bottle feeds at all, Miltons will not kill thrush. You need to steam or boil.

Hi,

Nipple thrush can be notoriously difficult to get rid of. I did manage to get rid of it, but had to use more than oral fungal gel to do it.

1) After feeding rinsed DD's mouth with a little cooled boiled water from an eye dropper.
2) Treated DD with oral nilstat drops. 1/2ml after each feed (we were on 8 feeds a day) or give 1ml four times a day. (My DD hated Daktarin).
3) Washed my nipples with water before and after feed.
3) Once nipples were washed after a feed, I would dab some vinegar on my nipples with cotton wool balls and allow to air dry. (Vinegar kills fungal infections).
4) Go topless as much as possible to let the air on them. Avoided wearing a bra as much as possible.
5) Once nipples had air dried I would apply Canesten cream (Clotrimazole 1%). I tried the Daktarin oral gel at first but didn't like the sticky feeling.
6) Took Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules which I got from the health food shop.
7) Washed mine and DD's clothes and towels with Canesten laundry wash to prevent reinfection through bras etc.
8) Did this treatment for 2 weeks straight, continuing even when symptoms seemed to have settled after 6 days.

I am pleased to say that I managed to get rid of it and never had a recurrence. I was determined to beat it because I know my Sister gave up b/f because of constant reinfections.

This link has some really good info on it too.
http://members.ll.net/naturalmothering/thrush.html

HTH

Thanks everyone for your helpful tips - I am determined to beat it!

Isn't it painful!

Yep daktarin on the nipples and in her mouth treated it nicely (no luck with nilstat). Keep it up for a week after it clears is the secret. Then back to your normal cleaning etc.

To stop it reoccuring, make sure you are boling any dummies, teats etc for 20 minutes (instead of regular 5-10 minutes or microwave steriliser) for at least until a week after it clears.

I have sensitive skin so if my nipples get sore I use nipple shields for a few feeds to stop them cracking, as the cracks allow the thrush to get back in.

Also, do not rub your milk on the nipples after a feed (was told to for sore nipples) but in the case of thrush this can keep it going (Works for regular sore nipples). Wash and dry nipples after each feed, then apply the daktarin.

Good luck, it sux doesn't it??!!

i can agree with rachella on that whole nilstat thing my dd had thrush and for 5days i used nilstat and not only did it not even clear up atleast a little bit it actually got worse so i went to the chemist and they gave me daktarin oral gel and let me tell u honestly the next day it was gone i used it for another few days and shes never had it bk since definitely go with the daktarin hope u and u lil one feel better soon.