Burning nipples?

[Curlita]

So we seem to have our latch issues worked out and I'm not having any more cracking, bleeding, etc. Conrad is still on the boob more often than not, though. While nursing itself is not overly painful (aside from the latching in), my nipples BURN constantly.

They aren't red or anything, and while C has some white patches on his tongue they are faint and thin, not thick or "cheesy". I really, really, really don't want to think that I have thrush because the idea of getting in to see someone and then treat it is a PITA. My stitches and hemmorhoid are just starting to feel more manageable.

Urgh. The worst part of my anxiety disorder is that it makes me sit around wondering if I have a variety of maladies, disorders and diseases.

Any DIY methods of coping with thrush, assuming that is what I have?

[GinaRae]

Sounds like thrush
Even though the white patches aren't bad, they still sound like thrush.

I like the first article better than the second, but both are decent.

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/g...rush-remedies/
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/g...ng-and-thrush/

[*Lindsey*]

We dealt with thrush after Hazel and Lucy were born. I had burning nipples and they just had a slight white coating on their tongue.

Never went in to be seen. Genetian violet kicked it for us. There's also black walnut oil, which I used when Sophia had it after she was born. Taking Grapefruit Seed extract is supposed to help, too. I'd also start probiotics if I were you.

[Curlita]

How messy is gentian violet? I've got probiotics and GSE on hand, but treating him is another story. Did you treat your nipples, or just take probiotics internally?

[*Lindsey*]

It's pretty messy. Putting a little bib on him would help lessen the mess on the clothes. It also helps if you put a little vaseline around his mouth first, then it wipes off easier. Rubbing alcohol takes it out/off pretty well, baby wipes got it off my girls faces, spray and wash took it out of their clothes. You only have to do it 1x a day, so thankfully the mess is pretty concentrated. (Oh, keeping breast pads on after you put it on yourself keeps the mess off your bra!)

For the probiotics, I took it internally. I also broke open a capsule and either put it in a few drops of water and squirted it in their mouths or just let them suck a little of the powder directly off my finger. We were better with the GV/GSE/probiotic combo after 3-4 days.

[Isaac'sMa]

Unfortunately, just b/c you can't see the yeast doesn't mean it's not there...

We had this for a few days (just a few dots, but tender nipples) and like you I was paranoid that it would become a fullblown yeast extravaganza. Plus ds1 still nurses occasionally so I worried about all of us passing it around and back and forth etc. GSE kicked it for us and was easy and *not* messy at all. I bought it in a natural food store for $10. Also, lots of probiotics if you don't already...yogurt or if you don't do dairy, a supplement or miso.

The protocol for GSE is 10 drops GSE per one oz. of water. Use this to swab your Conrad's mouth *before* he nurses. (I just used my fingers and washed well afterwards because there was no way I could get a Qtip in there) Use the solution to wipe you nips *AFTER* he nurses. Do the swab and It's really tart and doing it this way will prevent them from having a negative association with nursing. You can also take it internally following directions on the bottle.

Follow the swabbing protocol once per hour (for every waking hour) for up to two days after symptoms are relieved.

Burning nips are no picnic. I hope you feel better soon.

[*Lindsey*]

wanted to clarify that I took GSE tablets, didn't do it topically.