Exclusively Pumping/Thrush

[mtnhighmama]

Do you keep the milk and use it or not?

Do you treat the baby without symptoms anyway?

I know that freezing it deactivates the yeast, but doesn't kill it. This is donated milk, so there wouldn't be exposure to thrush otherwise. (well, probably there wouldn't.)

[jaxinsmom]

would like to know as well -- especially about the baby not showing any symptoms of thrush -- I am pretty sure I have it, but my dd doesn't show any signs and I'm not sure if I should continue nursing or try to wean her (she's 13mo).
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[AngelaM]

I though scalding the milk in the microwave would kill the thrush? That's what we've done with thrush-exposed donor milk. I know that it will also kill some of the good stuff, but I'd rather have donor milk with a little less good stuff than formula.

[mrforbes]

Don't do anything to the milk!! The milk does not have the thrush, the thrush is in your babies mouth and on you - there is no need to worry about the milk and the milk is totally fine. I EP'd and had thrush many times (from antibiotic overgrowth - long story) the best thing you can do is be proactive about your nipples. Sterilize your horns after every pump(the microwave sterilize bags make this faster) change your nursing bra after you pump, change your shirt if you leaked on it, air dry your nipples completely before covering them. Wash your nursing tops together and on the hotest water possible (some people boil them).

Also, don't use any lanolin on your nipples, that feeds yeast overgrowth and if you are prone to thrush can help you have recurrent thrush. If you need a cream there is a triple antibiotic cream you can make for your nipples from over the counter stuff.

DS never really showed signs of thrush so I didn't treat him, I just took the antibiotics myself (they weren't the ones that caused my yeast overgrowth by the way - I had a lot of BFing issues...) As soon as I had 24hrs on the drugs I felt better.

Feel better soon!! But know your milk is totally fine. Your milk DOES NOT have the infection.

[mrforbes]

One more thing I forgot, take a good probiotic - it might be a good idea to just take a probiotic vs. things like yogurt because of the thrush. The probiotic can help balance you out and support the good growth vs. the bad stuff.

[peaceful_mama]

I was just reading my LLL books on thrush about 5 minutes ago because I was actually wondering if *I* have it.

Here is what Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and the Breastfeeding Answer Book had to say (they are both the newest editions)

1. Yes, treat both you and the baby, even if the baby does not have signs of it. Some babies don't show signs.

2. Sterilize **everything** that comes into contact with your nipples or baby's mouth. (pacis, pump parts, your bra, bottles if you use them)

3. Regarding milk pumped during thrush---either feed it while you are treating or boil it to kill any thrush that might be in it.
(I am going out on a limb and *inferring* that they mean the milk could get thrush into it from contact with nipples during pumping, not because your milk actually contains it.)

4. There is no reason to stop nursing because of thrush.