{"id":5343,"date":"2019-08-07T12:41:22","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T16:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5343"},"modified":"2020-07-13T20:54:44","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T00:54:44","slug":"thrush-from-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/thrush-from-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"How to recognize and treat thrush from breastfeeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is part of a series on breastfeeding in support of National Breastfeeding Month (August). Find the full coverage <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Breastfeeding isn\u2019t always picture-perfect. Sometimes mom and baby gaze lovingly into each other\u2019s eyes, drinking in the moment. More often, especially in the early days, nursing brings feelings of helplessness, tears, and maybe even pain. Thrush from breastfeeding is a common cause of breast pain while nursing<\/a> and<\/em> a common source of discomfort for a feeding baby.<\/p>\n

What is thrush?<\/h2>\n

\u201cThrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) is a medical condition in which a yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans overgrows in the mouth and throat,\u201d explains Natasha Sriraman<\/a>, MD, academic pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics in Norfolk, Virginia.<\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of thrush from breastfeeding?<\/h2>\n

Thrush from breastfeeding can appear in your baby\u2019s mouth, or affect your breasts and nipples. \u201cFor oral thrush, breastfeeding infants will present with white plaques on the tongue, inside their cheeks, and sometimes on the inner part of the lip,\u201d Dr. Sriraman says. \u201cIt may look like milk that is leftover, but when you try to clean it off, it won\u2019t come off.\u201d<\/p>\n

For nursing moms, the symptoms are a bit different. \u201cFor women who are breastfeeding, if their baby develops thrush, it will cause a sharp, shooting pain in the mother\u2019s breast (before, during, and after breastfeeding). The mother\u2019s nipple and areola can also become red.\u201d<\/p>\n

What causes thrush?<\/h2>\n

A change in the balance of bacteria and yeast in your body\u2014from antibiotics or another condition\u2014can trigger a thrush infection. \u201cYeast is present everywhere in our body, but it causes a problem when there is an overgrowth of yeast,\u201d says Andrea Tran, a registered nurse and lactation consultant (IBCLC) at Breastfeeding Confidential<\/a>. \u201cThis can be the result of an imbalance of bacteria caused by antibiotics, diabetes, HIV, or cancer treatment. Some people are just prone to yeast, and their diet can affect their tendency to develop a yeast infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of those causes sound scary, but don\u2019t worry. Thrush in newborns<\/a> is usually due to their immature immune systems or antibiotic use by the baby or parent.<\/p>\n

How is thrush diagnosed?<\/h2>\n

Most of the time a physician can recognize thrush by simply looking at the infected area. \u201cIt can be diagnosed by visual inspection, such as with an infant with an oral infection,\u201d says Tran, who describes the appearance of oral thrush as \u201cwhite rug tongue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen with a yeast infection of the nipples are usually diagnosed by description of their symptoms,\u201d Tran adds. In some cases, your doctor may order additional lab tests.<\/p>\n

How is thrush treated?<\/h2>\n

Thrush grows quickly, and can be transmitted easily between family members. It\u2019s important to treat it quickly and follow your physician\u2019s advice. \u201cThe standard of care is to start with Nystatin<\/a>,\u201d Dr. Sriraman says. Nystatin is an antifungal drug that comes in powder, tablet, liquid, and cream form.<\/span> \u201cI tell moms to coat their baby\u2019s mouth and their breast after they are done breastfeeding 3-4 times a day. I have them continue this treatment for 1-2 days after the white plaques are gone. Both<\/em> must be treated or else the infection will continue to be passed back and forth between mother and baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tran suggests infants see a pediatrician for treatment and parents with persistent thrush see their healthcare provider, but mentions that in addition to Nystatin, Mupirocin<\/a> and Fluconazole<\/a> are other possible medications helpful for thrush treatment.<\/p>\n

Gentian Violet<\/a> is another option for persistent thrush. The bright purple solution has antifungal properties, but must be used with caution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use [Gentian Violet] only if Nystatin treatment has failed,\u201d Dr. Sriraman says. \u201cWe strongly advise against mothers buying this product on their own (via online stores) as Gentian Violet can cause burns to the baby\u2019s mouth if applied incorrectly or excessively. If this treatment is needed, the pediatrician will coat the baby\u2019s mouth with it in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be careful because Gentian Violet also stains anything it touches\u2014clothes, skin, nipples, and tongue!<\/p>\n

How to prevent thrush from breastfeeding<\/h2>\n

To prevent cross-contamination and reinfection with thrush, Tran recommends:<\/p>\n