Always in pain

[kyle98sean02]

My baby is 2 months old today and it has hurt to nrse him since the first day. At first it was battered nipples, the n plugged ducts and now we are battling thrush which I think we have had all along. My right side is bearable but always a little sore, but my left side HURTS all the time. It burns and I get stabbing pains after the baby nurses. Right on the tip I look like I was pricked with a pin. Its such a small spot yet hurts so much. It also hurts so badly when he first latches on. I know I am lucky. I have enough milk, he is on the breast and thriving yet it is so hard being in pain all the time. It doesnt help that he nurses close to every hour with maybe a 2 hour stretch a few times a day. I dont know why I am posting this I am just so frustrated. I nursed my 4 yo for 18 months and I went through the same thing. It never quit hurting. My nipples were red all the time and the LC's ad dr.s all said I just had sensitive skin.

[alegna]

:hug

What are you doing for the thrush? It sounds like that may be the main problem right now.

-Angela

[TurboClaudia]

raynaud's phenomenon maybe?

:hug

~claudia

[*green*faery*]

I'm so sorry mama! Its sooo frustrating. My ds is 7 mo. now & I have been in pain about 90%of the time since he was born. I never thought breastfeeding would be so challenging! I've fought off thrush on and off. I recently had some kind of blister that bleed every time he nursed and now my right boob feels heavy and has deap pains all the time. Latching on my right side also is very painful! I just hope it will stop & I have charished the days that don't hurt!!:Hug

[smeep]

You poor thing!!!!!!!!!!!

I've dealt with thrush a few times and it's only recently gotten better in the last month or two. It still comes back once or twice a month but I catch it very early on and take a dose or two of GSE.

Here's pretty much what I said on another post, just jazzed around. Since it's so bad right now I suggest using the Gentian Violet and then following with the aci/babydophillus and GSE to keep it away since it seems to be giving you a lot of trouble. You may also want to think about homeopathic remedies which I will list as well.

Whether or not both baby and mother have signs, if one has thrush then BOTH need to be treated at the same time otherwise it will continue to be passed back and forth. Limiting/cutting out sugar is extremely important as well since yeast thrives on sugar.

Ways to prevent thrush and treat mild cases:

Vinegar! Since thrush is usually accompanied by vaginal yeast infections and candida (yeast) diaper rashes, wash all towels, bras, nursing pads, diapers and anything that comes in contact with breastmilk and yeast-prone places in the hottest water possible with a cup of white vinegar in the rinse. This is a very simple preventative and works great. Also, when the thrush is active, make a mixture of one cup water to one tablespoon white vinegar and use it to rinse/wipe off breasts after each feeding and allow to air dry and then replace with fresh nursing pads (change solution 1-2 times a day). This solution is great for all toys that cannot be boiled (pacifiers, nipples, chew toys, etc. need to be boiled if possible - this is also great to dip pacifiers in after each use in between boiling).

Grapefruit seed extract. This stuff is great and works on sooo many things (www.pureliquidgold.com). It is best in liquid form but capsules are okay if you cannot handle the liquid. It is EXTREMELY bitter. It is best taken internally diluted in water and, for an infant, dilute one drop in some water (dip finger in to taste to make sure it's not too bitter/strong) and put all around in baby's mouth either with finger or q-tip. (Can be found at pretty much any natural/health food stores.)

Acidophillus. Acidophillus is a great preventative and can be taken daily without much hassle. Eating lots of yogurt (low or no sugar) is good but supplemental acidophillus for mother and babydophillus for baby work just fine. Just take according to the directions on the bottle. (Can be found at pretty much any natural/health food stores.)


Treating active thrush (not preventative):

Gentian violet. If it is really bad (particularly if mother is dreading nursing because of the pain) then gentian violet works well. Just paint it on baby's mouth (roof, sides, tongue) and paint it on your nipples, areola and preferably the rest of your breast. Do this two-three times a day for two days and then continue with vinegar/acidophillus/etc. and it should be fine. The gentian knocks it out. However, avoid using it unless it's really bothering you because too much gentian can be bad for baby because of the alcohol content (but only when used in excess so a little is more than okay). This stuff is also great to put on baby's butt for any rashes, particularly if they're caused by candida (yeast) which often happens when you or baby has thrush because it comes out in the poop. Keep in mind that gentian violet is very messy and stains like crazy so be sure you and baby wear clothes that you don't mind getting purple. ;) (Can be found at pretty much any drug/pharmacy store.)


Homeopathy:

Borax. This is the most commonly suggested (and effective) remedy for both mother and baby. However, I will keep searching to find some other suggestions and when to use each one.

Keep in mind there are various things that can cancel out homeopathy such as coffee so be aware of that and when you purchase your homeopathic remedy ask the salesperson what all you need to avoid.


I've dealt with thrush many times and these are the things that work the best for me. I haven't tried any of the homeopathic remedies yet, but I plan whenever I finally remember to get it when I'm at the store. lol Also, yeast organisms hate sunlight so if you can sunbathe your breasts, that would be a great idea.

Hope that helps! Let me know how it goes.

[kyle98sean02]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I am on my third day of gentian violet, but i have only ben applying it once a day. I didnt realize I was supposed to do it 2-3 times a day. I really hope i didnt make a more resistant yeast! I have been taking a probiotic/acidophilis powder and have given the baby babydophilus also. I have been taking grapefruit seed extract too, but its capsules of a powder form which may not be the best alothough I paid enough for it :S. I have been limiting my sugar content which has been hard because I am craving it so badly, but I have heard thats a sign too. My bad indulgence has been soda though. I need to quit cold turkey because that has a lot of sugar and just garbage my body doesnt need. Thanks again for the suggestions. Does the gentian violet work even after the 3 days is up? I am still pretty sore today although I noticed the pain is a little more toleable on the left side today. You should hear the comments I have been getting over the babies purple face. So many people have asked what he hit his face on. Come on people, it really doesnt look like a bruise. He looks more like I gave him a magic marker to suck on instead of a binky :lol

[smeep]

haha, how cute! Yes, Ez has had his fair share of purple face. Definitely cut out the sodas and, yes, craving sugar is a sign. I would do another day of 3 x a day (on your breasts as well as his mouth) and from there on apply it to your breasts 1-2 times a day and keep up with the acidophilus for the baby (as well as the rest of what you're doing for you). That's what I did when it was really bad, after it got to be a little more tolerable I just put it on my breasts only since it's only the alcohol thing that is bad for baby's mouth so once it dries on your breasts it still benefits baby (not as much though) without the risk of the alcohol.

Definitely look into the homeopathic remedy and contact a homeopath if you can. It sounds like you're like me and very susceptible to thrush so a homeopathic remedy sounds like it's worth trying. I'll let you know whenever I try it myself.

[leafwood]

Mama I feel for you! Nursing was so painful for us until about 4 months. Thrush is so hard! I tried everything and the final thing that worked was a course of Diflucan (as described by Dr. Hale). I had to fight so hard to get it. The drs all just told me to wean if it was too painful. I felt so awful watching other women NIP with thier babies while I was afraid to go out in case the stabbing/burning/screaming into a pillow pain occurred after a feed. It was such a struggle, and it took a lot out of me. It sounds like you are meeting it head on! Good luck beating the yeast!

[Mommy2Grace]

Hi I sent you an email concerning a compounded cream that my pediatrician and her lac consult prescribed for me and my baby girl. It is rather expensive but a lil bit goes a very long way and can be used as a diaper oint. as well. IT WORKS THE VERY FIRST DAY! But your baby needs to be treated with oral nystatin as well. If you both are not treated it WILL plague you 4EVER. It is worth my weight in gold. This is the third baby I have nursed and the very first time I have gotten relieve and completely rid of the thrush/yeast. Depending on what you are spending on herbal remedies and GV, it may be less expensive because insurance covers it. If in fact you do have yeast/thrush your nipples may be bright pink,flakey/scaleing and pain during after and between nursing. Your nipples may also itch. Good luck.Hope this helps. I know your pain!!!!!

[kyle98sean02]

Thanks for the info mommy2grace and everyone else :) I am feeling some relief after the gv, but its not 100% gone. I am pretty sure its yeast. I am going to try and get a scrit for Jack Newmans nipple butter to see if it helps the rest of the way.