Easing the Misery of Thrush and Yeast
Mothers & babies sometimes struggle with yeast or thrush infections after birth. While yeast is not usually a ‘serious’ problem, it can cause a very serious level of discomfort and pain for mothers and babies both. The infant’s digestion may be disrupted over the long term, and if they are being breastfed, mama’s commitment to breastfeed may also erode due to the misery it causes.
Candida Albicana is commonly called ‘yeast’. The problem arises when there is an overgrowth in the vagina or systemically (ie. ‘yeast infection’), or when there is an overgrowth of yeast on the nipples, or in the baby’s mouth and/or diaper area (ie. ‘thrush’). The body strives to maintain a delicate balance of appropriate “good” microbes to help counter the overgrowth of the “bad”; thrush is a sign of imbalance. Yeast/thrush is usually referred to as a fungus, and it is an opportunist microbe which reproduces rapidly & thrives in moist dark places. And as you might guess, it’s highly contagious, and requires scrupulous hygiene to limit its spread.
These fungal overgrowths are much more common now than even in the last decade, due in large part to the routine use of antibiotics in at least 37% of births. In US medical settings, antibiotics are routinely administered to laboring women who test positive Group B Strep and to nearly all women birthing through Cesarean surgery ; this results in over a third of all newborns in developed countries being exposed to antibiotics for primarily prophylactic reasons at birth. Since fungal pathogens are usually kept in check by a diverse and balanced microbiome, disturbances from antibiotics or illness reduces resistance and makes thrush more likely.
If you are wondering if you or your baby has yeast/thrush
You’re at greater risk for thrush if you:
Have a history of yeast infections
Have had antibiotics (yes, ever)
Had an IV in the hospital which may have included antibiotics (i.e. surgery)
Wear wet nursing pads
Take medications
Have nipple damage, generally from a poor latch by baby learning to nurse, or who has an unresolved tongue tie. *
Are under stress, experiencing illness, or during times of hormonal changes such as during menstruation or pregnancy.
Safeguarding your healthy microbiome is of upmost importance
Avoid routine use of antibacterial soaps, which also wipe out the good guy microbes. Simple bar soap and hot water are often even more effective, and do not create the same opportunity for healthy microbial imbalance.
Avoid all antibiotics as much as possible, especially during pregnancy and birth, unless absolutely needed for a serious and active infection
Include live-cultured foods and possibly probiotic supplements in your diet
Start restorative probiotic supplementation immediately after any antibiotic course is completed.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Things that MAY indicate thrush in a nursing mom include:
Onset of intense nipple pain after a period of comfortable nursing
Nipple becoming bright pink in color, different from your usual, unique brown blush of the areola
Itchy or burning nipples, which MAY appear pink, red or shiny
Cracked nipples that will not heal
A burning or sharp, stabbing pain in one or both breasts, especially during the milk letdown.
Things that MAY indicate thrush in the baby (without or without being breastfed) include:
White patches in the baby’s mouth that don’t wipe off, or if they do they are red or bleed underneath
White patches in baby’s mouth after a nap when there’s been no milk in their mouth for awhile
Diaper rash
Baby’s mouth is sore, sometimes indicated by pulling off the breast or a clicking sound during nursing
Gassiness or fussiness.
It is also possible for both mother and baby to have no visible symptoms, but pain or GI type clues.
Simple Solutions
Expose nipples to light and air.
Change pH by rinsing nipples with a 20% vinegar solution; after nursing is a good time to apply it, as babies do not like the taste although it’s not harmful.
Kill yeast by washing ALL items that come in contact with the yeast (through contact with breasts, milk, infant clothes and spit-up rags) in water over 122 degrees F (‘hot wash’ generally does it) or hang the wash to dry in the sun. Set nursing pillow in sun for 20 minutes daily; UV light is your friend, not yeast’s.
Reduce or eliminate consumption of sugar, coffee, black tea and dairy products.
Increase consumption of genuine ‘live cultured foods’, which include yogurt (organic brands, NOT sugary dessert versions), miso broth, real sauerkraut, feta cheese, raw cider, kombucha, etc.
Increase use of coconut oil in diet or as a salve on the nipples; it has antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties due to it’s lauric & caprylic acids. Studies have found it kills off excess yeast & fungal overgrowths in the body, and balances beneficial flora in the gut while targeting harmful bacteria.
Critical Care
Acidophilus/Probiotic Supplements. Work to restore healthy microbial balance for both mother and baby through lavish use of oral probiotic supplementation. There are a few high quality shelf-stable brands, though many of the best will be found in the refrigerated section of your local ‘health food’ store. Expect to spend $30-70/bottle, and to take for an extended period of time.
Look also for infant specific strains to give the baby directly, added to milk in bottles or to sprinkled directly in their mouth or on your nipple before nursing. I’ve gathered several high-quality options in my Fullscript natural pharmacy, see below for more info.**
“Work up to 3 capsules 3 times daily for at least 2 weeks AFTER symptoms are gone.” (Hafner-Eaton, 1997)
My experience has been that many mothers need an extraordinary level of probiotics to overcome thrush, even as much as 12-14 caps/day for a couple of weeks, including at least 5 days longer than the symptoms.
The more persistent the case, the longer you might take a reduced level of probiotics after the symptoms have passed, as a preventative against ‘relapse. Recent studies are suggesting that the normal gut biome is not automatically restored after antibiotics; I encourage clients to keep live-cultured foods in their daily diet as a lifestyle choice and to consider extended courses of probiotic supplementation.
Liddell’s ‘Fem Flora Defense’ Homeopathic liquid tincture helps the body to counter thrush; take according to directions. Could also spray it topically on nipples or diaper rash.
Homeopathic pellets - Borax 30c, take according to directions.
Natural nipple salves can be safely used on both mom (nipples) & baby (bottom rash). Use a fresh, clean finger each time, so as not to contaminate the bottle. Don’t use lanolin-based creams as they are not thrush specific and can make it worse. My clients have had good results with both Mountain Rose’s Calendula Nipple Whip and MotherLove’s Nipple Cream.
Use fresh breast pads. Cotton (wash hot), disposable (change frequently), or soft natural wool (helps heal cracked nipples.). Pads that are reusable should be put in the sun for 20 minutes of UV to kill any lingering yeast.
Silver Nursing Cups for cracked nipples. Clients have raved about the results, no salves needed.
Support for the tough times
La Leche League is an international, non-profit organization that offers great information and active support for breastfeeding, many areas have weekly meetings.
Consultation with your local breastfeeding resource or nursing center; ask where you birth, your midwife, doula or childbirth ed instructor for local referrals.
Dealing with thrush and yeast successfully sometimes takes a few rounds of probiotics and other proactive measures. Stay the course, do your best to stay upbeat, and keep researching what else you might need nutritionally or otherwise to fortify your system or help your nipples heal if they have been damaged.
NOTE
* Tongue and lip ties are at epidemic level now compared to even 5, 10 and certainly 20 years ago. It is NOT a ‘fad’, or suddenly being over-diagnosed. Do NOT underestimate the relationship of ties to nipple agonies during breastfeeding, regardless of how your otherwise beloved pediatricians/lactation specialists/hospital personnel are dismissing your concerns. Good basic info on ties affecting nursing here, and an example of solid introduction to ties here.
* * Some of the links here are affiliate, which helps to support the Indigo Forest mission and this free information. My Fullscript Natural Pharmacy is a way for me to make high-quality supplements and remedies available where both you and I are guaranteed that the products are both fresh and direct from the manufacture (Amazon does neither). You are able to browse all of my protocols by establishing an account with your email and a password; there’s no obligation, your privacy is protected (no selling of names), and my clients also get 15% off plus free shipping over $50.
THIS CONVERSATION IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE!
LISTEN TO YOUR COMMON SENSE ABOVE ALL & CONSULT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AS NEEDED.