Not sure I can do this... - Page 2

[graye_pearl]

It's good to read that you are doing so much better now than in your first post.

I had horrible thrush with my first which I suffered through until he was 25 months old. The pain was no longer bearable, and my nipples were beyond damaged. With my second, I got thrush immediately - for ten weeks I tried SO many different ways to get rid of the yeast (diet, supplements, medication, homeopathic remedies, etc). The only thing that has worked for me is going without a bra and/or nursing pads. Thankfully I am small busted, but it is still challenging to find clothing I feel comfortable in when going out in public. But, it is all worth it - I have not had symptoms for over 4 months now. Before the thrush was gone, I was getting extremely depressed and felt like I would have to wean dd. Although I look forward to wearing a bra again someday , right now I am enjoying my thrush free breastfeeding relationship.

Good Luck!

[veganone]

i'm like a 36 F right now so braless is not an option... my nipples also hurt so much that i can't bear fabric moving on them, so even at home i'm in a cotton sleep bra. a t-shirt even is awful, as is any movement by dd when holding her.

now, is it better to wear just a bra, no pads, or clean pads after every feeding?

[miche28]

I couldn't read this and not post: you've done such a good job! I had two 35-weeker and they can tough little nuts to crack when it comes to getting a good latch. I'm so sorry you've been through all this and now thrush to boot! I wrote a similar desperate post with DS - at eight months, he's thriving and nursing like a champ.

Yes, you will be able to leave the house someday and do something other than nurse and pump. Get as much help at home as you can (real help, not "I'll hold the baby while you fold laundry and cook me lunch help").

I'm so sorry that you didn't get a call back from LLL - that could be invaluable support for you. LLL Leaders are moms with their own families and it does happen that they can't back to you. If you PM with where you are, I'll see if I can find someone to call you back with some info and meeting details.

For thrush, in addition to medical treatment:

Vinegar Rinses: 1 cup water to 1 tbsp white vinger, drip breast in solution after feeding and allow to dry
Acidophilus: available at most health food stores, Acidophilus doesn't directly kill yeast, but helps to keep the balance of healthy flora in the gut. Both mom and baby should take this (2 caps 3X for mom, up to 1cap 3X for baby).
Air Time: while the practicality of this depends on your circumstances, keeping your nipples and baby's bottom as dry as possible (ie: exposed to open air) will help counteract the warm, moist environment that yeast thrives in
Diet: there are a range of suggestions all the way up to pretty draconian restrictions of all carbs, but some mothers do find that the reduction or elimination of sugar does help

Hygiene measures:

Hand-washing: wash your hands often, but with regular soap as anti-bacterial soap may further send the yeast/bacteria balance out of whack
Laundry: wash anything that comes into contact with your nipples in hot, hot water with a hot dry and finally with a very hot iron (or as much as you can) to kill the yeast
Bras/breast pads: change bras/breast pads frequently (certainly as soon as they are even a bit damp)
Diaper changes: in addition to maximizing air time, some mothers find that eliminating disposible wipes (just use washcloths and water) helps
Bottles/pacifiers/mouthed toys: anything he puts in his mouth should be thoroughly boiled and dried as it could also recontaminate him

This stinks and it's not fair that you have to go through it after everything you've already been through. Hang in there - it will get better! Feel free to PM me if you'd like -

[veganone]

Thanks Michelle - how sweet that your DD's name is so similar to mine! And both 35 weekers?

I am doing as much hot, hot water as I can, but I'm also scared of shrinking my $50 nursing tanks that are the only comfortable thing I can wear in public. Nothing has been comfy for me except the Bravado stuff. Breast pads are HOT HOT and dry and get changed with every feeding, and I am air drying as much as possible. Thank God DD has no signs of thrush - her little mouth and bottom are both clear and she's on primadophillus (sp?) and Nystatin to try to keep it that way! She only gets my nipple and a couple of bottle nipples in her mouth, and the bottle nipples get washed in hot every time. I will start the vinegar wash - I am also throwing some in the laundry - can't hurt?

Luckily I'm not leaky at all, so stuff stays dry in between feedings. I only leak when she's nursing on the other side and after her long break at night.

I'm also going to cut WAY back on simple carbs (already had some, but not enough I guess) and sugars as well as cheese, which I'd added back in to try to get more calcium and protein... DOH! Should have stuck with what I know!

The good news is that the bacterial stuff is doing well. I finished my last round of clindamycin yesterday and I'm sure being off of that will help with the yeast. The swelling and redness are both MUCH improved on both sides now - finally my right is about the same size as the left again, if a tad fuller. The right is also draining well again.

I know we'll beat this - I know my body is stronger than these stupid little yeasties!!!