*signs And Treatments For BF'ing ailments*
~~ Treating Thrush ~~
Symptoms Include but aren't limited to:
*The first symptom of thrush is usually pain. Many mothers describe the pain of thrush as a burning or stabbing pain in the nipple, the breast, or both. The pain may begin during a feeding and continue between feedings. Pumping is usually painful as well.
*Thrush may cause nipple itching or flaking, redness or shininess, or, rarely, white spots on the nipple or areola. Sometimes there is a red or pink rash with small blisters on the nipple or areola.
*The mother may have a vaginal yeast infection or have had one recently.
*The baby may have signs of oral thrush: a "mother-of-pearl" look to the saliva or white patches in the mouth which look like left-over milk but will bleed if scraped.
*The baby may also have a bright red diaper rash which doesn't respond to usual treatments.
*The baby may be fussy or gassy or find nursing uncomfortable or painful. The baby may become fussy at the breast, refuse the breast, or come "off and on" the breast frequently.
*It is important to note, however, that there may be no visible symptoms in either the mother or the baby. Pain may be the only symptom.
Treatments for thrush include but aren't limited to:
*Nystatin: This is a prescription cream/liquid you must get from your or your baby's doctor. To properly treat for thrush, you must apply the liquid Nystatin to your nipples and inside baby's mouth with a q-tip for as many times as prescribed. The cream is great for baby's diaper rash if one is there.
*Gentain Violet: This is an over the counter antifungal you can locate in many smaller drug stores. It costs around $4 and lasts forever! Again, you put in on your nipples and areolas, inside baby's mouth and if baby has a diaper rash, you can apply it to that. This is a much recommended treatment as it quickly responds to thrush. A warning, it is bright purple and does stain so expect your breasts and baby to be a new color. It will wear off in about a day or so. Apply this once a day for up to a week.
*Vinegar/Water Solution: 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup of water. Apply to the nipples and areolas with a clean cotton ball and allow to air dry. This treatment is best used in conjunction with another treatment.
*Acidophilus: Available at health food stores in the refridgerator section. For best results, it should be taken for two weeks beyond the end of symptoms.
*Diflucan: If baby shows no signs but mother does, talk to your dr. about a prescription for Diflucan.
Home care measures for thrush include but aren't limited to:
*All toys, pacifiers, bottle nipples, pump kit parts, breast shells, nipple shields, etc. should be boiled daily for twenty minutes. Pacifiers and other rubber nipples need to be replaced weekly. Any items that are damp or come into contact with baby's saliva or your breastmilk my harbor yeast.
*Wash breast pads, bras and cloth diapers in HOT, soapy water. Bleach (one cup) in the wash water or vinegar (one cup) in the rinse water can be effective. Items should be dried in a hot dryer or line dried in the sun. The heat of an iron can kill yeast on clothing.
*Dietary changes can help too. Eat plenty of yogurt, decrease sugar intake, reduce consumption of dairy and yeast products, addition of garlic and vitamin c to boost the immune system.
Last edited by Aiden&Alejandros Mommy : 03-28-2008 at 12:40 PM.
|
Linear Mode
