No one ever said that breastfeeding would always be easy.  There are different things that may make a breastfeeding mother wonder if she’s doing the right thing by breastfeeding.  Wouldn’t it be easier to just use formula, especially when having one of many breastfeeding woes?  Thrush is one of those woes that may cause a mom to wonder if she should continue to breastfeed.

What exactly is thrush?  It is a fungal infection inside of the baby’s mouth that may spread to the breast.  This causes nipples to itch and feel sore.  Candida albicans causes thrush. It is also called a yeast infection.

The symptoms of thrush in the baby include having white patches in the mouth that are not easily removed and a pimply looking rash covering the genital area, in the folds of the thighs, and along the buttocks - any place covered by a diaper.  The mother’s symptoms include cracked nipples, pain in the breast during or after feeding, itchy or burning nipples, and possibly a vaginal yeast infection.

Candida albicans is a normally occurring fungus in your body, a part of the digestive system.  It is normally kept in check by bacteria.  Breastfeeding, however, creates the perfect environment for thrush to thrive – a moist, warm, sugary environment.  If the mother eats a lot of sugary foods, doesn’t rest well, is stressed, or taking antibiotics it may encourage the growth of this bacteria which leads to infection.

If you suspect that either your child or you have thrush, don’t attempt to treat it on your own.  Set up an appointment with your doctor and have them make the diagnosis.  Diagnosis is confirmed by getting a culture from the nipple area, a sample of the expressed milk and a sample from the oral cavity of the baby.  If thrush is confirmed, the doctor will treat both mother and child to prevent the condition from being passed back and forth between the two.

Normal treatment includes an antifungal ointment to apply to the nipple and areola after breastfeeding.  The doctor will most likely also recommend that you thoroughly rinse the breast with water and allow them to air dry prior to putting on the ointment.  It is also advised to wash all bras and nursing pads in hot, soapy water each day.  If you are also pumping, make sure to boil all pump parts for 20 minutes each day.  Wash and dry your hands carefully after breastfeeding and after changing every diaper.

For the baby, you should rinse her mouth with water after each feeding.  Apply the antifungal ointment directly to the lesions in the mouth.  If there is diaper rash, use the ointment on the diaper rash as well.  This treatment should be given after each feeding for three days.  After that, skip every other feeding until ten days' treatment has been given.  If your baby uses a pacifier, boil it for 20 minutes each day, just like the breast pump parts.

Do you need to stop breastfeeding?  Absolutely not!  This may be one of many breastfeeding woes, but thrush should not keep you from breastfeeding.  It may be painful, but the treatment is the same for both of you.  Grin and bear the pain because in the end you’re still doing the best possible thing for your child, and ultimately that’s what you want to do.