Cracked nipples, mastitis, and now thrush/yeast

[kismetbaby]

My LO is 2 1/2 weeks old and basically I have spent this entire time in breast hell. First, we had shallow latch issues, which caused nipple trauma and cracks for me and made BFing very painful. Just when I thought this might be getting better I got a breast infection and now I find out that he has thrush and the reason my nipples won't heal is I have a yeast infection there! In retrospect I have had a nipple yeast issue for a week or two, but didn't recognize it and also realize I have been dealing with a vag yeast infection (which I have never had before in my life).

I was so looking forward to this first month of snuggling and bonding with a newborn and instead its been painful, stressful, and full of calls to the Dr. and lots of crying on my lactation consultant's shoulder. I feel like everything that could go wrong with my boobs went wrong! I guess I still need to feel thankful and positive that I had a great milk supply come in and my LO is growing like a weed. . .but the blissful BFing relationship I imagined has not materialized yet at all. So far the whole thing has been pretty traumatic.

Everyone keeps saying it gets better and I believe its worth it--I am committed to doing everything I can to make BFing work--but its so hard! And lack of sleep ain't making anything better! Why didn't anyone warn me about this?

[2boyzmama]

Oh honey...this might be short, i have the flu and really need to get to bed.

nak

i had everything you have with ian, but i didn't know enough to see a lc until he was 4 weeks old, and it took months to clear up the thrush! i apparently am prone to thrush, i have it and clogged ducts again this time. ugh!

treatment for thrush:
wash your bras in vinegar water
change your breast pads as soon as they get even a little wet
use bath towels only once
boil pacifiers
walk around topless as much as possible, preferably in sunlight (a window maybe?)
gentian violet--messy, but works!
cut all simple sugar from your diet (or at least some, you need your vices still!)
plain yogurt on your nipples between feedings (wash off before feeding)

and remember that you could still have years of the breastfeeding relationship ahead of you, missing out on this is such a small thing! ian nursed until he was 3yrs 4mos, including tandeming, connor is nursing now at 2.5yrs, so not all is lost!!

i so feel your pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! honestly one reason i didn't give up with ian is because i couldn't quit when i had plugs or mastitis, it would have just gotten worse! then by the time it was better, i didn't want to quit.

[saffrongirl]

I have nothing to say to "fix" things that I'm sure your doc/LC haven't told you, but I wanted you to know that I completely feel your pain. Honestly, I think the first few months of breastfeeding are harder than labor & delivery. I know it just clicks for some women, but I think it's really hard for others and takes a lot of perseverance to stick with it. I had an inverted nipple issue with my first dd and it caused extreme pain. Then we got thrush and that only exacerbated things. I cried every time she nursed for months. BUT, I kept on and we ended up bfing for two years. I will never regret my choice to stick with it while I know I would have second-guessed my decision if I had quit. You are doing a great job and it WILL get better! Hugs!

[schoolmom07]

Soothies! They are the bomb!

Hi Hon! I know what pain your feeling! Literally! I have had cracked/bleeding nipples twice and there is no pain like it! Go to CVS (which I know carries them) and buy Soothies! They are gel pads that you just place over your nipple/under your bra or shirt. They adhear by themselves/are not painful to take off and OMG do they feel good! For better relief, stick them in the fridge for a while before putting on. You can wear them up to three days or so, if you want more wear out of them, cut them in half but you will have to wipe your nipples off before baby feeds if you cut them. Otherwise, you can place baby directly to breast. I would not have made it through this period again without them! I have not had yeast/thrush so I can't help you with that but I am almost positive that you can still wear the Soothies with thrush. I am going to get you the e-mail of my lactation consultant, as she is wonderful. She helped me 7 years ago with my first and I sought her out with my second. I did not even deliver in her jurisdiction and she is going out of her way to help. You can e-mail or call her and she will return you call the same day! I will pm you shortly!

[kismetbaby]

Thanks mamas! (and thanks 2boysmama for your advice even with the flu! and for the info schoolmom) I am going to start gentian violet today. . .I am hoping that this will take care of it. If not then I will have to start a mega-dose of Diflucan--has anyone done this before?

Seems like I've tried everything for everything at this point. If they make it for BFing, I've tried it! But the yeast scares me. . .according to my LC I have "deeply entrenched yeast" in the breast tissue--Yikes!

I am just getting really impatient to get to the good part of BFing. Sigh.

[2boyzmama]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby

Thanks mamas! (and thanks 2boysmama for your advice even with the flu! and for the info schoolmom) I am going to start gentian violet today. . .I am hoping that this will take care of it. If not then I will have to start a mega-dose of Diflucan--has anyone done this before?

Seems like I've tried everything for everything at this point. If they make it for BFing, I've tried it! But the yeast scares me. . .according to my LC I have "deeply entrenched yeast" in the breast tissue--Yikes!

I am just getting really impatient to get to the good part of BFing. Sigh.

If the yeast is that bad already, you might want to start the mega-dose diflucan at the same time as the gentian violet. gentian violet is wonderful, but I don't know how well it does other than just surface yeast, you know? if the infection is systemic (which it might be since you have vaginal yeast also) then the diflucan will help the most. you really have to take a high dose, so make sure it's an appropriate dose (although it sounds like your LC is wonderful, i'm sure the dose will be right)

[confustication]

Sounds like it might be time to try the diflucan- we're battling yeast off and on here with gentian, but so far it's staying largely superficial. Nystatin didn't touch it, but the gentian cleared it within 24 hours...

[deymm]

You might also get an rx for Dr. Newman's nipple Cream (google for the ingredients). A compounding pharmacy can make it for you. One of our local Walgreens actually compounds so I was able to get it made there when I thought we had thrush.

[schoolmom07]

Just checking on you Kismet...How are you doing, mama? BF is a wonderful relationship that gives you comfort, your baby comfort, and ensures that you have to stop, focus on yourself and baby, and give yourself a break during the day. Be kind to yourself, mama! You are doing a wonderful job by continuing to BF. HUGS!

[kismetbaby]

Thanks for checking on me! Still battling yeast, thrush and pain. But even despite this, I am enjoying BFing a little bit more each day. He is addicted to the boob this one! Wants to nurse A LOT.

I am trying natural remedies (GSE, gentian violet, probiotics,and all the vinegar and boiling of things I can stand). . .if these don't clear things up soon I'll have to start hounding my Dr. . . seems like not many know a lot about breast issues, so I dread the round and round about getting the care I need. But I have found lots of good info online. My days are currently totally swamped and obesssed with this. It does seem to explain a lot of my issues though, I think I have had the yeast since near the beginning and just didn't know it.

Can't wait for BFing to be normal. Sigh.