Category Archives: Side Effects

Understanding Thrush and Its Relationship to Breastfeeding Moms

October 21, 2008 3:00 pm Leave a Comment

By Kristi Patrice Carter

As a new mother, nothing matters more to you than the health of your newborn infant. All the experts have told you that breastfeeding is the healthiest means by which to feed your baby, but they do not always warn you about thrush.

Thrush is an infection caused by yeast commonly found in the human body. Babies typically are exposed to this yeast during delivery. As a result of this exposure, newborns typically develop thrush 7 to 10 days after delivery.

If you have been breastfeeding since birth, then your breasts have also been exposed to the yeast that causes thrush. Regardless of how you feel, it is vital to seek treatment for yourself in order to prevent thrush from reoccurring. You may not know if you have the infection, but some signs include:

  • The presence of a vaginal yeast infection
  • Cracked, itchy, red, shiny, pink, or irritated nipples
  • Sharp, shooting pain during and/or after feedings
  • Deep breast pain

Your doctor will mostly likely prescribe a course of antibiotics in order to treat thrush. You will also need to take extra precautions, especially if you plan to continue to breastfeed. These precautions include:

  • Reducing your intake of refined sugar, refined carbohydrates, and artificial sweeteners
  • Eliminating dairy products for two weeks after the diagnosis
  • Taking 6 capsules of acidophilus at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Increasing your intake of garlic through diet and supplements in order to boost your immune system
  • Taking Echinacea
  • Rinsing your nipples with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar
  • Applying an antifungal cream to your nipples
  • Exposing your nipples to air as often as possible
  • Throwing away any expressed milk pumped prior to learning of the infection
  • Washing and sterilizing any toys, pacifiers, or bottles your baby may have sucked on previously
  • Putting your bras and tank tops in boiling water in order to kill the infection
  • Washing your hands frequently and drying your hands with a new paper towel each time
  • Avoiding use of nursing pads
  • Increasing your consumption of yogurt
  • Keeping your breasts clean and dry

Many mothers worry that they will have to stop breastfeeding because of thrush. This, however, is not the case as long as you follow the necessary precautions in order to protect yourself and your baby.

Filed Under: Side Effects

What is Thrush and How Can You Tell If Your Baby Has It

April 2, 2008 10:03 am Leave a Comment

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Every mother worries about her newborn baby’s health. It can be frightening to hear your baby has thrush, but it is not a life-threatening condition. Once diagnosed, the treatment for thrush can be simple and harmless.

Thrush is a common infection in the mouth caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans. This fungus is a form of yeast, which is prevalent in the human body. Newborns typically develop thrush around 7 to 10 days after birth. Infants can get thrush from the mother’s birth canal, as this fungus is typically found in the vagina. Once an infant has thrush, it is not uncommon for that infant to develop thrush more than once.

The signs of thrush include:

  • White spots on the sides, roof, and tongue of the baby’s mouth that do not scrape off easily. Once scraped off, the areas under the spots are red and often bleed.
  • Your baby starts crying during feeding or when using a pacifier.

Oral thrush can be easily treated by Nystatin, an antifungal medicine that kills Candida Albicans. Other possible treatments include Clotrimazole and Miconazole. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you will also need to be treated for oral thrush. If you do not get treated, it is possible to pass thrush back to your baby again. You can use Nystatin cream on your breasts in order to kill any Candida Albicans present.

Some tips to prevent any recurrence of oral thrush include:

  • If you are breastfeeding, allow your nipples to air dry after each feeding. This will prevent the growth of Candida Albicans.
  • Clean and sterilize all bottles and pacifiers. Allow them to completely dry before giving them to your baby.
  • Discard any nipples or pacifiers that your baby used prior to your learning of the infection. It is difficult to completely rid these items of Candida Albicans.
  • Give your baby a bottle of sterilized water after breastfeeding. This will wash away any milk residue and clean your baby’s mouth.
  • Make it a habit to check your baby’s mouth every day. If thrush does recur, you will want to seek immediate medical care.

If your newborn baby develops the signs of thrush, do not panic. However, be sure to seek medical attention for your baby and you, especially if you are breastfeeding. Although rarely life-threatening, it is important to treat the condition immediately in order to ensure the comfort and well-being of your baby.

Filed Under: Breastfeeding Techniques, Side Effects

Mastitis Help 911

January 8, 2008 2:50 pm Leave a Comment

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue, which commonly affects nursing and lactating women. The infection occurs when bacteria enters the breast through a crack in the nipple or through the opening of the milk duct in the nipple. This infection often causes swelling, pain, and redness of the breast tissue. Although it can be extremely painful, it is not usually a serious or life threatening condition.

Most women mistake the early signs of mastitis as the warning signs of the flu because the symptoms present themselves suddenly. Your breasts may feel warm or be very tender. Swelling is common, as is a continuous burning sensation or pain while breastfeeding. The skin on the breast will often be red and in the shape of a wedge. Women with mastitis often have a fever over 101 degrees, which leads them to incorrectly assume they are suffering from the flu.

The risk factors associated with developing mastitis include:

  • Sore nipples
  • Cracked nipples
  • Wearing a bra that is too tight
  • A past history of mastitis
  • Not fully draining each breast during feedings
  • Using only one position while feeding

You will need to seek medical attention promptly in order to rid yourself of mastitis. If you have never had mastitis before, your doctor will want to examine you in order to confirm the diagnosis. Most doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics that will extend over a 10 to 14 day period. As with any prescription, you will need to take the entire prescription as it is prescribed in order to ensure that the infection is gone.

There are also other steps you can take in order to help rid yourself of the mastitis infection. Warm compresses can help alleviate the pain and pressure in your breasts. Drinking extra fluids will help flush your system and is a recommended practice when on antibiotics. It is also important to continue to breastfeed during treatment. This will benefit both you and your baby. It is also important to avoid prolonged periods of breast engorgement. This may mean that you will have to use a breast pump. You can also take ibuprofen or acetaminophen in order to ease any discomfort you may be experiencing.

Although a diagnosis of mastitis may cause initial concern and pain, you can manage mastitis by being informed and taking the necessary steps toward treatment. Mastitis may be painful, but it does not need to interrupt your nursing schedule.

Filed Under: Side Effects