Check for these spots on your baby’s gums, cheeks, and tongue. Gently scraping the spots may reveal reddish tissue underneath and the spots may be surrounded by reddened or inflamed tissue.
The stinging, burning pain may be right on the surface of the nipple, or you may feel it deeper in your breast. Typically, your nipples are also extremely sensitive to the touch. It may be uncomfortable to have clothes rubbing against them or to take a shower. They may also be itchy, which can indicate a yeast infection.
Your nipples will typically look better than they feel and you may have no visible symptoms at all. You should still seek treatment even if you don’t have any visible symptoms of thrush, particularly if breastfeeding is painful.
Mothers may also have a vaginal yeast infection, while babies can get a fungal diaper rash. If your baby has a diaper rash caused by the overgrowth of yeast, traditional diaper rash treatments will make the rash worse.
Distilled water is preferable to tap water. Make sure you shake or stir your solution very well to thoroughly mix it.
Let the solution air-dry on your skin. This will typically take a few seconds.
Look for an ointment with other soothing and healing herbs and vitamins, such as calendula, comfrey, and vitamin E, to help ease your symptoms. Once your pain is gone, slowly wean off the GSE over a period of about a week. For example, you could use it with every other feeding for 2 or 3 days, then drop to twice a day, then once a day. However, make sure all your symptoms have been gone for several days before you stop using the GSE, or the infection could come back.
If you take a capsule or tablet, take 250 mg 3 times a day until you are no longer experiencing any symptoms, then gradually cut down over the course of a week. If you take the liquid extract, mix 10 drops in a glass of water or juice. [10] X Research source Because GSE can deplete the “good” bacteria in your body, take a probiotic supplement along with GSE.
Keep your skin clean and dry, especially areas prone to moisture, such as your underarms and your groin. In particular, make sure you wash your hands after diaper changing or using the toilet. You should also wash your baby’s hands frequently. Wipe your nipples clean after nursing and let them air dry completely before you cover them up again to prevent future infections.
Add 0. 5 to 1 c (120 to 240 mL) distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to sterilize all clothing that came in contact with infected parts of your body or your baby’s body, especially your nursing bras. You can also treat your laundry with GSE. Add 15 to 20 drops in the rinse cycle. [13] X Research source
These foods can be hard to avoid because the overgrowth of yeast may cause you to crave the very foods you should be limiting. Eating yogurt and other probiotic foods, such as kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut, or kimchi, can help control the yeast and shorten the lifespan of the infection. You might also try drinking green tea, which can clean excess yeast from your system. [15] X Research source
Switching your baby to formula is a bad idea because formula puts your baby at higher risk for developing thrush. If your baby is just getting over an infection, formula may cause reinfection.
Your doctor may initially prescribe a topical medication to relieve some of the symptoms of thrush. If topical medications and complementary treatments don’t get rid of the thrush, your doctor may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole). A pediatric suspension is also available for your baby.
