Breastfeeding Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection, also known as a yeast infection, and it can spread from your baby's mouth to your breasts and cause you to have sore and itchy nipples. Thus there is a connection between thrush and breastfeeding. Signs of thrush include cracked nipples, deep shooting breast pain during or after feeds, itchy red or burning nipples, and signs in your baby typically include white patches inside the mouth and a white coating on the tongue.

What is Breastfeeding Thrush?

Breastfeeding thrush is a fungal infection that can cause symptoms either in the mother's breasts or in the baby's mouth. The mother will typically experience nipple pain, itching, redness or cracking, and the baby may have white patches on the inside of his or her cheeks. There could also be patches that resemble cottage cheese or milk curds inside the baby's mouth. Babies two months old or less are more prone to thrush, but older babies can still be susceptible to thrush.

Breastfeeding thrush is caused by yeast from one of the Candida species. Everyone has some yeast in his or her body as a normal part of the digestive system. When there is an imbalance in the immune system, it may cause a Candida infection. Imbalances such as hormonal imbalances or the taking of antibiotics can tip the balance toward breastfeeding thrush.

What are Breastfeeding Thrush Symptoms?

Thrush and breastfeeding are often closely connected. You can tell if you if you have thrush from symptoms such as persistent nipple pain, itchy or burning nipples that look pink or red, shiny, flaky, or have a rash with tiny blisters, cracked nipples, shooting pains in your breasts after feeding your baby, deep breast pain, and intense breast or nipple pain that doesn't get better with better latch-on and positioning, you, your baby or both of you may have thrush.

What can I do to treat Breastfeeding Thrush?

You are more likely to develop thrush if you have recently been on antibiotics or if your nipples are cracked and damaged. Thrush and breastfeeding can also cause symptoms in both you and your baby. Although thrush is not a dangerous condition, you should not try to treat it at home and consult with your general practitioner right away.

If you suspect your baby has thrush, you should go to your general practitioner for thrush treatments rather than try home thrush treatments. The doctor will most likely prescribe a topical cream like Nystatin, but other thrush treatments are possible. While you are being treated, you can also do things to minimize the chances of reinfection like wash toys, pacifiers, and breast pump parts in boiling water after use, and wash your hands after breast-feeding.

Will thrush and breastfeeding affect my baby?

If you have thrush, be aware of the relationship between thrush and breastfeeding. If you have a yeast infection in your nipples, your baby will have it too, even if you see no symptoms. Your baby may be unsettled, and you should seek treatment, but it is not a serious condition.

Can I still breastfeed?

Thrush and breastfeeding aren't too serious, and you can continue to breastfeed while being treated for thrush.